Between the Hautes-Alpes and the Alpes de Haute Provence, this tour will take us to discover the little nuggets hidden around Lake Serre-Ponçon, the largest lake in the PACA region.
Azure blue skies, snow-capped mountains in the background, beech forests resplendent in spring, raging mountain torrents flowing from the peaks of the Ecrins National Park... Add to this the ever-present turquoise colour of the lake and you have a colourful postcard for your next cycling holiday.
In terms of trails, fun and sometimes technical routes await us, with climbs mainly on tracks interspersed with remarkable viewpoints and descents on original singles, often with a beautiful view of the lake. With 300 days of sunshine a year and a rather contemplative atmosphere, the tour of the Serre-Ponçon lake by mountain bike is definitely an ideal destination to start the season!
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To start this adventure gently, we suggest a departure from the Abbaye de Boscodon to reach the Lauzet-Ubaye in the Alpes de Haute Provence. The first few kilometres under the forest cover, the first few kilometres are on beautiful, bucolic tracks in the undergrowth, very favourable to the practice of Gravel since these last recent years. The second part of the itinerary joins the lake the Ubaye side and is a little more technical downhill and includes and includes a few steep climbs that remind us that we are in the mountains. mountain. Finally, to finish this beautiful first day and reach our gîte, we our gîte, we take an old unfinished railway line that leads straight that leads straight into the Ubaye valley... Headlamps are a must... required... Night in a comfortable gîte
And here we go for a second day full of emotions, with descents in the undergrowth and climbs on fun trails. trails. We will regularly have the opportunity to admire the view of the lake and the Écrins massif in the background. We back to the Hautes-Alpes by taking the direction of the of the Rousset at the end of the day, which will reveal to us the the imposing cliffs of Mont Colombis and the full extent of the of the Serre-Ponçon dam, one of the largest in Europe. What a great way to to take in the sights and sounds! Night in a comfortable gîte
Change of bank! The adventure continues this time in the of the Gapençaise valley. All keeping an eye on the lake, we return to a more aerial passage via a mountain path on the ridges to enjoy a 360 degree panorama 360 degree panorama between the Ecrins and the Serre Poncon lake, before down to the lake via a succession of switchbacks and trails designed for trails designed for mountain biking. A pure delight which may motivate you to a well-deserved swim at the end of the day. ... Night in a comfortable gîte
Although all the best adventures come to an end, this last stage of your last stage of your stay, which takes place entirely in the foothills of the the foothills of the Ecrins should allow you to fully immerse yourself in the fully into the everyday atmosphere here in this part of the part of the Hautes Alpes. The Embrun region, a haven of peace where sport where sport and peace have found the right balance, awaits you to round off your tour. After a succession of panoramic panoramic trails, a picnic at altitude and a final remarkable viewpoint from the Pibou belvedere, we'll set off on some well-marked and the famous descent of the Tourniquets to finish your tour. Tourniquets descent to round off your All Mountain tour in style! the way it should be! Return to your vehicles
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!
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
Impasse SAINT GUILLAUME
05600 EYGLIERS
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