Looking to take a trip to the French Alps in June and it looks like Les Deux Alpes and Alpes d'Huez will be our destination(s). Im sure there are a few of you who've been down there for the riding, and I'd be interested in hearing your opinions and considering any advice you may have.
Does it all have to be lift-accessed or are there up/down trails/loops? I've a background of DH but my partner prefers keeping her wheels on the ground, so, apart from me whizzing off ahead on descents, it's general trail riding we'll be doing (SX Trail and Stumpy).
Many thanks in advance.
There is plenty of both.
Loads of free maps in the Tourist Information Office in Bourg d'Oisans.
Also google Ride d'Oisans. A guiding/holiday company in the area run by a Brit.
The road riding in the area is awesome as well.
Awesome place, start from the very top, good maps to keep you on the blue and red runs. If you are a competent rider, the blacks are great tracks but may be a little much for the missus.
Riding over glaciers is something else. I must say hough. I did a two day trip there from being based in Morzine. It was plenty for two days. The descents are KILLERS on arms, hands and brakes. Take spare pads.
You are exposed to the sun the entire time you are on the mountain, there is little or no tree cover as it higher than the tree line for the majority of the time.
The fire roads at the top are sketchy with sharp rocks, even a low speed off could be nasty so put on basic arm and knee armour.
1 of our group had asthma. He really struggled 3300 m up, bear that in mind. Take 4 spare tubes, it would be no fun at all to miss the descent after 30 mins of lifts up for the sake of a blow out (which WILL happen)
All in all a fantastic place to ride, not sure it would keep me amused for a whole week but it's epic scenery and short of Whistler, the best singletrack riding in the world with descents of 45 minutes achieveable.
Have fun!!
I've a mate who's got an apartment he rents out in Les Deux Alpes, I'll forward you over the link
if you want details and that
le duex alps is pretty big
Les Deux alpes reralyl onlyhas a couple of days.
But alpe Du'ez will keep you plenty occupied.will be visiting there for the mega this year
Pete, that's a great link; thanks very much. Thanks Englishmastiff for taking the time to type that up, it's exactly the kind of details I was looking for.
I never thought I'd hear myself saying it, but Ron Jeremy, yes, please forward me the info for the appartment. We are actually planning to camp - we like that kind of thing - but there's also the possibility of some friends coming along with us. If they do, then a chalet or appartment would be preferable. My email is in my profile.