Apart from a few well-guarded nuggets, we will take you on a tour of the sector's unmissable VTTAEs, in the stronghold of the endurists of the Haut Var and the bastions of the Haut Verdon, where the term mountain bike takes on its full meaning...
Without doubt the most complete trip of all our offer in terms of variety of terrains. Each day will be different, ... Red earth of Daluis, grey marl of Guillaumes, isolated alpine pastures towards the lakes of Lignin... Rolling, brittle, technical, trialising for those who like.... Remarkable high altitude landscapes and trails that smell of larch and Scots pine to remind you that we are in the Southern Alps! A perfect mix for a stay rich in sensations!
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Pick up at your hotel in Colmars or Barcelonnette then drop off at the Col d'Allos by minibus to start your stay on on the road. A beautiful descent awaits us in the mountain pastures before heading straight to the heart of the mélézin, the typical forest of the Southern Alps. We have a picnic by the river before pedalling up the mountain in the afternoon. afternoon on the heights of the other side and enjoy a second descent of the a second descent of the same type, with a final all in on the heights of Colmars. Night in a hotel
Without doubt one of the high lights of the trip... Depending on the capacity of our our batteries and to give us a bit of leeway, a short drop-off is planned in the morning to a short drop off is planned in the morning to reach the start of our our crossing. From there, we climb on a 5* trail to the isolated lakes of the cirque de Lignin, one of the remarkable mountain pastures of the of the region and much less frequented than the lake of Allos just next door... Switch to the Annot valley by way of the heights the heights, recovering exhilarating, fast, straight paths that take us which take us straight back to the colle st Michel. Night in a gîte
From Colle st Michel, downhill by bike on a very fun path to a small concentration of trails designed for riding. the ride... High supports in the deciduous forests, reassuring sandy paths reassuring sandy trails, committed lines or more reasonable trajectories. everyone rides according to their own style and rhythm... Lunch on the terrace in Annot then second session in the afternoon on a path all in balconies which brings us on the other side of the valley valley, ready to embark on the road to Guillaumes Night in a guest house
Change of valley, change of atmosphere, here we are in the Haut Var! From our accommodation, we go to the heights of Sauze, starting point of many enduro itineraries, some of which are on the some of which appear in the list of the world cup of VTTAE... We ride along a whole slope in a beautiful mountain atmosphere mountain atmosphere, and then in the middle of the day we climb back up to contemplate the valley, overlooking its steep gorges and and join a last sector of grey earth... Night in a guest room
A beautiful day again starting from Guillaumes to the panoramic paths of the Gorges de Daluis... Short morning shuttle to gain altitude, a quick warm-up in a bucolic forest in a bucolic forest then we climb progressively along the foothills of the along the foothills of the Lignin lakes on a trail full of flow and and "up n down" to reach the start of a veritable the start of a real tumble into the Gorges. 1200m lower and after a well-deserved lunch break, we a well-deserved lunch break, we switch to the other side, on the the mythical route of the Clue d'Amen, in the heart of the Terres Terres rouges. A trialising sector that could be compared to the to the mythical Captain Ahab in the United States, no less... Night in a guest house
It's hard to leave just like that... So for those who have time, we'll take a last trip to the who have time, we allow ourselves one last trip to the high mountain the high mountain pastures of Chateauneuf d'Entraunes in order to access a 360° panorama a 360° panorama on the valley and a memorable descent which our journey in the best way... Picnic and return to Barcelonnette or Colmars les Alpes
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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