20 Apr 2018
Savoie Mont Blanc has 114 signed cycle itineraries, which cover 6,000 kilometres.
The area is famous for its legendary passes: Galibier, Madeleine, Croix-Fry, Colombière, Iseran… In total, there are 80 mountain passes and climbs in Savoie Mont Blanc.
Find out about what's new and what's happening this summer.
'Accueil Vélo' is a French label that guarantees a good service and welcome for cyclists. Accommodation, restaurants, operators and tourist offices with this label provide specific services for cyclists, such as garages for bikes, tools, bike washing areas, luggage transport, specific menus and advice. In Savoie Mont Blanc, 140 service providers have the Accueil Vélo label.
Véloroute 63: a new itinerary
Véloroute 63 starts in Chanaz, in the heart of the Chautagne vineyards, and goes along the beautiful Bourget Lake. Then it crosses Chambéry and its historic centre to get to the small village of Les Marches, where cyclists can enjoy beautiful views of the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges. The itinerary is 45 kilometres long and is linked to the ViaRhôna. The ViaRhôna is an 815-kilometre cycle route that runs beside the Rhône, from Lake Geneva to France's Mediterranean beaches.
The operator Cyclomundo organises a ViaRhôna package, as well as many other packages in Savoie Mont Blanc. They can also organise tailor-made trips.
9–16 June: Aravis Bike Tour
Over 5 days, discover some of the most beautiful climbs in the Alps, many of which will be used in the 2018 Tour de France and Etape du Tour. The 5-day programme offers rides of between 55 and 170 kilometres, accompanied by qualified guides. Each ride includes full vehicle support, with snacks and drinks provided. Different types of accommodation for different types of budget are available.
On 24 June, the Col de l'Iseran is closed to cars. Cyclists can cycle safely and peacefully between Val d'Isère and Bonneval-sur-Arc.
Valloire will be hosting a stage of the Haute Route des Alpes cycling race on 27 and 28 August. The Haute Route cyclosportive event is one of the highest and most difficult in the world: 7 days of timed races, an overall ranking, 800 kilometres and 20 legendary mountain passes across the most popular cycling playgrounds in the world. This famous competition will be taking place from 23 to 29 August, starting out from Nice and finishing in Geneva.
Chambéry Cyclisme Formation organises two cycling camps – in Le Grand-Bornand and La Toussuire – so people can get ready for the Etape du Tour.
www.chamberycyclismeformation.com
The 2018 Etape du Tour is 159 kilometres long. It starts by Lake Annecy and finishes in Le Grand-Bornand. Participants will have to climb several famous passes: Col de La Croix-Fry, Romme and Colombière.
Ex-pro cyclist Jean-Lou Paiani also organises training camps for the Etape and other sportives, as well as tailor-made tours.
Antoine Heidsieck offers tailor-made services for cyclists, including transfer for bikes, luggage transport, bike rental, catering and assistance.
Savoie Mont Blanc is a partner of the following events
3–10 June: Critérium du Dauphiné, Savoie Mont Blanc
21–24 June: Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc (www.toursavoiemontblanc.com)
7–8 July: UCI MTB marathon World Championships /MB Race Combloux-Megève
17–19 July: 105th Tour de France
17 July: This is the first Alpine stage of the Tour, which links Annecy to Le Grand-Bornand. Competitors will climb the Plateau des Glières for the first time (this route includes 2 kilometres of gravel road) and cycle down Le Grand-Bornand via la Colombière.
18 July: This is the second Alpine stage, which goes from Albertville to La Rosière via lesser-known passes (Bisanne, Pré and Montvalezan).
19 July: This stage will start in Bourg-Saint-Maurice and end in Alpes d'Huez. It is 175 kilometres long and will go via the Madeleine and Croix-de-Fer passes.
16–25 August: Tour de l'Avenir
Electric bikes and electric mountain bikes have become very popular
New for this summer
There is a new signed circuit on the Beauregard plateau in Manigod. Combloux also has a new signed circuit.
The new Tour du Mont Lachat in Le Grand-Bornand is 20 kilometres long and has a vertical climb of 800 metres. Riders will enjoy beautiful views of the Aravis range.
There are five new circuits to discover between Les Menuires and Saint Martin.
Avoriaz, a car-free resort, has 50 electric Solex bikes, which are free to use. The resort also has Matra e-mountain bikes for children, which are available to hire.
Manigod has electric bikes for children from 9 years old.
Arc Mountain Bike, based in Peisey-Vallandry, organises enduro camps with e-bikes.
Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves and Le Grand-Bornand offer e-mountain bike outings in the evening, consisting of a dinner on the mountains followed by a run down under the stars.
Maison du Vélo in the Albanais organises bike and beer tours in partnership with the Veyrat micro-brewery.
La Plagne has created fun areas for e-mountain bikes; they are called 'E-spots'.
