The Tour du Queyras is often considered as a must for mountain biking in the Southern Alps.... Skylines and emblematic summits, postcard-perfect high and medium mountain landscapes, bucolic and fluid trails in larch forests or more technical at altitude, an atmosphere that is both peaceful and wild, and varied itineraries that delight riders of all levels. Add to this well looked after accommodation, a well thought out route adapted to the MTB to avoid the need for portages, a local guide who knows the terrain well and well worked out logistics... and you have a comfortable mountain bike itinerary that smells of adventure...
NB: To fully enjoy this trip and as we will have to cross some passes, it is however advised to have a minimum of technical luggage in order to be at ease in any situation. If not, we strongly recommend a "star" trip for a first experience in the Queyras.
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The first day is rather easy and will allow us to and review the technical basics needed to ride your mountain bike with necessary to evolve with confidence on your mountain bike and to leave to the discovery of the Queyras must-sees: From Mont-Dauphin to Ceillac Once we have shared our picnic (provided), we will leave from the Gîte of the Glacier Bleu in Mont-Dauphin. We take a moment to explain the explain how the equipment works and we're off for a week to discover the Queyras. week of discovering the Queyras. We start with the Guillestrois, located at the gateway to the Queyras at the entrance to the Gorges du Guil, before attacking a first ascent on a forest track forest track, rather easy to start with, to the village of Ceillac Ceillac, at the foot of the Font Sancte massif. Night in a refuge.
After a first test day, we are in the heart of the matter. We start the day with a somewhat technical climb but largely facilitated by the electric assistance, which will give us which will give us a good opportunity to give you the first technical This will give us a good opportunity to give you the first technical advice concerning the motricity and the turns in the climb. When we arrive at the pass, we will have plenty of time to admire the exceptional panorama the exceptional panorama that is offered to us. Then comes a great trail between larches, remarkable geological areas and pastures, to reach a second pastures, to reach a second pass and a new point of view on the whole on the whole Queyras Park. Descent by the route of our choice of our choice towards the village of Saint-Véran. Night in a gîte.
There are several possibilities to reach Abriès, but we prefer on this but we prefer on this tour the rolling forest singles to the steep steep and brittle slopes of the Haut Queyras. This gives us the opportunity to observe the typical architecture of the villages of of the villages of Molines and Saint-Véran, to ride on the old irrigation to enjoy the landscape, to cross isolated forests dedicated to the forests dedicated to mountain biking, before reaching Abriès to explore the to explore the Haut Guil valley. Two options for the afternoon, rest for some or a few hours of personal advice to refine your advice to improve your technique and gain confidence on your bike. your bike. In this case, we head for the Valpréveyre valley to catch up with the Valpréveyre to catch up with the trails of the resort of Abriès. of Abriès. Night in a gîte in the Haut Guil valley.
Here we go again for a big crossing in the direction of the Arvieux valley. of Arvieux. The objective is to reach a magnificent south-facing south-facing balcony that will allow us to gain height and and join Arvieux by passing by the heights of Meyries, the Meyries, the small hamlet of Souliers, the lake of Roue, the big canal. A small steep section will certainly require you to push your bike but your guide will the bike but your guide will be there to help you overcome this but your guide will be there to help you overcome this difficulty! Overnight in a gîte d'étape.
Last day of our raid and we finish in beauty! We climb the Furfande pass to reach the mountain pastures of the same name, overlooking the mountain pastures of the same name, overlooking the Guil gorges. A site of great quality site for hiking or cycling, a sector that we are lucky enough that we are lucky enough to find on our way back if we want to head if we want to go to Mont-Dauphin. The The climb is easy thanks to the assistance and the descent above the Gorges through the mountain pastures should leave a lasting impression on you as we are on a section of the Grande Traversée des Hautes-Alpes Hautes-Alpes (GTHA) on mountain bikes...Arrival in Mont-Dauphin at the end of the afternoon at about 4pm. Arrival in Mont-Dauphin at the end of the afternoon around 4 pm.
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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