Here's a fairly recent All Mountain itinerary in the Hautes Alpes, which gives pride of place to singles and high altitude trails. Starting with classics such as the Emparis plateau and finishing in less-frequented areas such as the Valgaudemar, this route takes you through a variety of landscapes, including hedged farmland, lakes, rivers and glaciers....
Refined for the practice of the VTTAE, sprinkled with a few bonuses here and there, we offer you an original crossing that should delight lovers of long-distance adventure,...
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Once the bikes are ready, the pack has been calibrated in the rucksack backpack and the battery secured, we quickly left the hustle and bustle of the tourist town of Bourg d'Oisans to head for the village of Besse head for the village of Besse at the foot of the Emparis plateau d'Emparis, one of the region's classic all-mountain classics in the area. Via a scenic route that winds winding between little-travelled roads, tracks and singletracks, this is the start of our adventure... And for those of you who have and ready to climb an extra 700m of ascent, there's a lovely a beautiful descent at the end of the day... the end of the day... Night in a gîte Approximately 25kms & 1200 D+ climb
It's a beautiful day we're having today. it's not every day that we find ourselves facing the 4000 of the Ecrins... The Meije and its glaciers loom up in front of us, while we're already we're already in an idyllic spot on the edge of a high-altitude lake. lake. After a good dose of contemplation, it's time for the descent. the descent, which turned out to be as smooth and exhilarating as you could wish for. Motivated, we set off to find another high altitude viewpoint for our lunch break. with the Arsine glaciers as a backdrop, inviting us to explore... backdrop, inviting us to explore... We then headed for the Col du Lautaret to into the Briançonnais region and continue downhill along the river the river and the botanical garden to reach our accommodation... Night in a gîte / Approximately 45kms & 1900 D+.
Depending on our accommodation, we have two options for the morning. the morning. Take a high altitude single, which which will obviously use up a bit of battery power, or follow the canals along the canals, taking fast, flowing singles through the undergrowth. a smoother start to the morning. We then climb the old town of Briancon and then it's a long ride under the then a long traverse under the pincers of MontBrison towards the Vallouise valley towards the Vallouise valley that awaits us, in order to enter the heart of at the end of the day, in the heart of the Ecrins National Park... Overnight in a gîte / Approx. 45kms & 1900 D+.
After a quick stop at the market, if we're lucky enough to be there leave this haven of peace to head for the Durance valley on one of the most the Durance valley along one of the region's most bucolic itineraries the region. Alternating forest tracks variety of playful singles, isolated passes passing through typical Alpine villages... Wild picnics with your feet in the water in the in the heart of the Fournel nature reserve? before heading off to the heights of the heights of the Guillestrois, or even the fort of Mont Dauphin fort... Overnight in a comfortable gîte / Approximately 50kms & 2000 D+.
From Guillestre, the Guil from Queyras swells the Durance riverbed river bed of the Durance and continues its course further down into the the lake of serre poncon. Mont Guillaume, which dominates the town of Embrun marks the southern boundary of the Parc National des Écrins National Park. We skirt around it, following beautiful paths and trails, adding a few well-marked paths laid out by local by local mountain-biking enthusiasts, then we turn due west towards the head due west towards Réallon, a small perched hamlet where we'll find our gîte for the night... Overnight in a gîte / Approx. 50kms & 2100 D+.
As we are at a slightly lower altitude, we recommend a cool we recommend a cool start to avoid the midday heat... the heat of the middle of the day... Typically XC All Mountain, this stage is stage is marked by a longer distance but a smaller but less ascent. A fine gravel track leads gently downhill to the Col de Moissière towards the Col de Moissière, the turning-off point for the Champsaur, a completely a completely different atmosphere, a completely different landscape... Between ancient canals and riverbanks, the terrain lends itself perfectly to a high high cadence, with endless relaunches on the exit of bends in cross-country mode through the undergrowth... just to get to the first to the St Bonnet lake to order the ice-creams Italian style... Overnight in a comfortable B&B / Around 70kms & 1500 D+
The early morning mist in the valley and the aches and pains now could tempt us to sleep in, but given the day ahead and the day ahead and the bucolic setting of our evening gîte in the our gîte for the evening in the Entraigues valley, we didn't take long to hit the road... It's a very rural area in this part of the crossing. part of the route. alternating forest tracks and forest tracks and rather strenuous singles, this section is completely completely different in terms of vegetation and atmosphere. contrary to what it says on the paper. The heat is very much in evidence at the bottom of the valley and the gradients so a break in a restaurant is often welcome to recharge your batteries! to recharge your batteries! Overnight in comfortable B&B accommodation / Approximately 50kms & 2000 D+ / Recharge your batteries at lunchtime
On the last day of our tour, we really deserved to take it easy in the morning. morning after all that effort, so that we could take full advantage of the valleys and villages at the end of the world before returning to civilisation. villages at the end of the world before returning to civilisation. stop along the way for a coffee at the foot or top of the pass or at the top of the pass, before tackling the final stretch and the great down through the fir trees towards Bourg d'Oisans. The legs will undoubtedly be tired, but the adventurers will be tired, but the adventurers will be sated and we hope delighted by this tour, which brings together in one place the atmosphere, culture and and landscapes of the northern High Alps.
Concerned about the quality of our services, we attach great importance before registration to understanding your technical and physical level, but also your approach to cycling and your motivation
The person who created the course will contact you to validate or not your registration, in order to constitute the most homogeneous groups possible and to ensure you a quality stay
Lucie, who knows more and more about the details of each route, then takes over the follow-up of your registration file and the organisation of your trip
In order to better understand our classification, you will find below our own definitions...
TYPES OF PRACTICE :
FURTHER TRAINING = Services focused on learning and riding techniques. In a course format with half-day teaching modules or in a stay format with often a half-day of improvement (depending on level) in the morning and hiking in the afternoon to enjoy the mountain. Mainly in the Guillestrois Queyras
DISCOVERY = Easy to moderate level tours that encourage contemplation and explanations of the natural and cultural heritage, where the difference in altitude is moderate, the risk of falling and the technical requirements are low. In star or itinerant form, in France or in the Italian Piedmont
ALL MOUNTAIN = Mountain oriented trips where the pleasure of pedalling and climbing takes on its full dimension. For those who already have a minimum of technical knowledge in both climbing and descending, who obviously like the adrenalin and technicality of single descents but who are more interested in contemplating the high altitude landscapes rather than accumulating descents at all costs
ENDURO = Still in the high mountains on shared or dedicated routes, with a clear focus on descent rather than contemplation. We still pedal but this time we increase the ratio with a morning shuttle to reach between 1200 to 1500m of D+ and 2500m of D-. Protective gear is highly recommended and respect for other mountain users is mandatory.
SHUTTLE ENDURO = Clearly for downhillers who are looking for adrenaline and the technicality of the descent on trails dedicated to this practice as much as possible. The ratio is increased here with logistical support throughout the day to reach 1000m of D+ on the way up and 3000m of D-. Protection is strongly recommended and respect for other mountain users is mandatory.
TECHNICAL LEVELS :
BEGINNER = You do not yet master the basic techniques of mountain biking (balance, gear shifting, braking, maintaining your trajectories on narrow trails...) and going into the mountains scares you but you want to brave your limits.
INTERMEDIATE = You are comfortable on your bike even on narrow single tracks but many mistakes persist. You don't mind riding in the mountains, but getting into tight corners, steep slopes or rocky-rooty trails can make you worry if it goes on too long. Long, intense rides take a lot of energy and concentration and can increase the risk of falling as the day progresses.
CONFIRMED = You are able to control your bike in the mountains whatever the terrain (crossings, hairpins, roots, rocks, steep climbs and descents, singletracks) and you are able to keep all your lucidity even on long days. You still have room to improve your style, performance and riding fluidity...
EXPERT = You have full control of your bike in all situations and you are autonomous in the mountains. You are able to keep up with the pace, even on long days with 2 batteries for example. The guide may find it difficult to keep up with you.... But he knows the paths not to be missed and allows you not to worry about the route, so trust him!
PHYSICAL LEVELS :
COOL = Throughout your stay you will cycle on wide tracks that lend themselves to contemplation, the pace is not very fast, although you will obviously have to pedal to make the bike move on mountain terrain. These are our "beginners" trips and outings, of easy level. Ideal for a first approach to electric mountain biking, for those who want an active holiday but have little opportunity to do sport on a daily basis
MODERATE = You are a more regular daily rider and enjoy challenging yourself, even if it means getting into the red sometimes. The pace of cycling and the trip remains cool and contemplative, but can include many steeper sections and longer climbs that you obviously have to endure physically and mentally to enjoy the cycling experience. Easy itineraries, Discovery mountain star trips or intermediate All Mountain trips are more likely to be found in this category
SPORTSMAN = Sport is your daily routine and sweating profusely is almost a goal of the day for you. Sometimes steep climbs that require good calves and big thighs, varied pedalling rates, relaunching, linking up with descents..., all the while keeping your wits about you of course! Many of our All Mountain Enduro trips take place at this pace
INTENSE = You have "the body" as we say back home, and the muscle tone and concentration capacity to withstand long distances and a series of terrains. So we go riding from morning to night, until we run out of two batteries if necessary. Good luck!
We only offer trips that are well mastered by the guides
On remote destinations and one-off dates, you will be supervised by local guides with whom we have the pleasure of working, who are experts in their field and with whom we share the same values
You will ride in small groups (Minimum 3 people - Maximum 8 people, or 7 people for enduro trips with logistical support)
More pleasant, easier to discuss together, less inertia, easier for the guide to give precious advice and to adapt to the level of the group, ... less technical incidents too... In short, all advantages!
Our tours are therefore calculated with the aim of keeping them "insured" with 3 people in the Queyras, 4 people outside and during the itineraries, while keeping the number of people reduced.
Since the beginning we have worked closely with the hosts you will be staying with.
Cycling reception is improving year by year in the Queyras and the Hautes Alpes in general. In Italy, things are often already well in place
Although the "dormitory" or "3* hotel" formulas are possible to better fit the budget and expectations of everyone, we have chosen to build our stays as we would like to experience them.
Most of the time in "Gîte tout confort" formula, rooms to share (3-4 persons max) with sanitary facilities in the rooms.
For the itineraries, it is sometimes a bit more complex and we try to find the right balance between comfort, conviviality, good food without compromising the quality of the itinerary.
In order to develop this activity seriously and to offer a quality service at every stage, we have established a real cycle shop at the gates of the Queyras, in Eygliers.
We have several 9-seater vehicles and approved trailers, suitable for transporting ATVs.
The drivers are often guides or mechanics who are used to working together, which ensures a good flow, a good atmosphere and brings an extra service in the package when the bike needs to be repaired
Picnic buffets, refreshments based on local products, elaborate meals, etc. are also possible during incentive days or itinerant trips
We therefore have complete control over the logistical and material aspects. This makes all the difference in the field and is a real guarantee of quality and reactivity for you
On foot, by bike (with or without batteries) or with the bike on our backs... , All of us have travelled the length and breadth of the Guillestrois Queyras and the Piedmont over the last 15 years.
With an eye for detail, we have taken the time to design unique routes through our various programmes, so that they can be adapted to each type of practice, to each level, to each type of audience. This is a long-term project that is now bearing fruit.
By working with local guides, each in their own way, they are able to adjust the routes in real time in order to offer you theperfect sequence that will match the level and expectations of the group
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