Thomas, feedback on Route des Grandes Alpes ® Gravel

Thomas, can you introduce yourself?

My name is Thomas Guillaud, I'm 29, I live in Paris and I work in marketing, specifically in the music industry.

How long have you been cycling? And how did you get into Gravel?

I've been cycling for six years, mainly on the road. I got into Gravel this year, which was actually my first real Gravel trip. I'd been looking at this trace of the Route des Grandes Alpes ® Gravel for two years and wanted to do it.

Have you done any long-distance rides before?

Yes, more on the road, 4 to 6-day trips. For example, last year I did a four-day trip in the Vosges. I've also ridden in Normandy, and before that I did quite a bit of California.

Were there several of you on this itinerary?

We were three friends. They'd already done the Dolomites and the Jura. Let's just say we were three good riders.

How many days off in total?

Two and a half days, including a day in Beaufort (with a visit to the cellars at the dairy cooperative) and a day and a half in Briançon.

The weather?

Very lucky: only one shower at the summit of the Galibier. Warm but pleasant days thanks to the altitude. Nights were cool, around 6-7°C in the valleys.

How did you sleep?

Mostly in campsites, with two tents for three. Safer for bikes, and with shower, toilet... We also spent two nights in a meadow.

Equipment?

The three of us rode Canyon Gravels. I had 45 mm tires, my friends had 40; I was more comfortable. I had about 12 kg of luggage and in total, we were each around 20-23 kg, bike included. We carried no stoves or freeze-dried food. Our idea was to take advantage of this trip to contribute to the local economy...

Perches on the road?

A flat tire (with inner tube). And an incident with a rain jacket that got stuck in the cassette of one of the bikes, dislodging the hub and twisting the chain. We were able to repair without a hitch at a local store.

How do you feel about the alsphate / Gravel ratio?

Very good balance! We sometimes chose to descend the mythical cols on the road to take full advantage of the view and because of the magic of the Tour de France. From La Bonette, we decided to go all the way to Nice by road.

Your top 3 passes?

Le Galibier - it's like being in The Lord of the Rings. La Bonnette, splendid. Et l’Iseran. Hard to choose, they're all so beautiful.

And your favorite stage?

The arrival on Hauteluce and Beaufort via les Saisies. Incredible scenery, magnificent Gravel roads. The stage to the Saint-Guérin dam, with a magical lunch at the refuge at the top of Le Cormet d'Arêches.

A bad memory?

A forest road after Modane, in poor condition due to roadworks: sand, unstable ground, we finished late. And above all, after the Parpaillon tunnel: the climb is certainly one of the most beautiful Gravel climbs in France, but the closure of the tunnel and its bypass meant that we really didn't feel safe...

A nice anecdote?

When we didn't sleep camping, it was a bit improvised. We had to find a place to pitch the tent, a tap or a hose to rinse off... We'd go knocking on people's doors in the villages to ask for water, and this often gave rise to funny, friendly exchanges. In Crévoux, we found a little restaurant so nice that we ate there three times in less than 24 hours. The owner spontaneously suggested we pitch our tent in his meadow just behind the restaurant. And what a view! An incredible panorama over the valley, perfect silence...

Has the Route des Grandes Alpes ® website helped you?

Yes, very useful! We downloaded the GPX file and followed the trail all the way. No problems with navigation, nothing to complain about. And the site also helped us plan our stages and accommodation.