Route des grandes alpes

The black art of moving from A to B on foreign soil
triumphpip
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Route des grandes alpes

Post by triumphpip »

I'm doing the Route des grandes alpes in June , but I am not sure which way to go ,either col de la bonette or col de la cayolle
any suggestions please
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skinny
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Re: Route des grandes alpes

Post by skinny »

Simples, leave the lake, follow the brown sign's and enjoy! There are a few diversions that I'm sure people will post, main rule-- stay to the right on left handers, and stay to the left on right handers, load's of tourists!!! And watch out for Harley riders, they are like Push bikes on country lanes. Enjoy.
Spike941
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Re: Route des grandes alpes

Post by Spike941 »

Done the Route a couple of times, both times over the Col du Bonette as its the highest. Did it at the end of June four years ago and the col only opened the day before due to late snow. I'm sure you'll enjoy it whichever way you go.
Milo Tighfield
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Re: Route des grandes alpes

Post by Milo Tighfield »

Both good routes, however I suppose if you are doing the RDGA then Cayolle is the official route with some technical narrower sections of road. Bonette is higher and another great route but a bit of bad weather and not that good. Tough call but I'm sure you will enjoy which ever route you take (thumbs)
Alan29
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Re: Route des grandes alpes

Post by Alan29 »

I'm thinking of doing RDGA as possibly my last big alpine trip .... well I am 67.
Looking on streetview a lot of it seems to be single track. Is that right? Pillion friendly will all the luggage? Or better solo and light?
I wouldn't want to rush it, whats the point? So is three days comfortable riding 10-5 ish?
All hints gratefully received.
Background ....Did the Grossglockener last year and the French Pyrenees (usual cols) the year before two up on the Varadero.
john-g
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Re: Route des grandes alpes

Post by john-g »

Hi, I went over Bonette in the middle of June 2016, there was low cloud and it was snowing hard near the C1 Loop, however the road remained clear but wet. If I remember correctly the Bike's ambient temperature readout was -3C. Good run though.
sprintster
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Re: Route des grandes alpes

Post by sprintster »

Alan29 wrote:I'm thinking of doing RDGA as possibly my last big alpine trip .... well I am 67.
Looking on streetview a lot of it seems to be single track. Is that right? Pillion friendly will all the luggage? Or better solo and light?
I wouldn't want to rush it, whats the point? So is three days comfortable riding 10-5 ish?
All hints gratefully received.
Background ....Did the Grossglockener last year and the French Pyrenees (usual cols) the year before two up on the Varadero.
I haven't stuck rigidly to the route but I've done most of it in sections and I can't really remember any single track sections.I just remember it as mostly being great fun and the further south you go the quieter the roads get.The Grossglockner is a traffic jam in comparison. (thumbs)
triumphpip
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Re: Route des grandes alpes

Post by triumphpip »

I'm not really worried about staying true to the route as I have done parts of it over a few years. I know what you are saying about the weather though , I was on the col de galiber last June and it was miserable weather then . I do appreciate all of you comments though
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sprintster
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Re: Route des grandes alpes

Post by sprintster »

Just looking at a map now.I went over the Col d'Allos which is the next pass west.I remember that being a good road.If you're staying in the south for a few days a run through the Gorges de Dalius and Gorges du Cians would make a great day out.
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triumphpip
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Re: Route des grandes alpes

Post by triumphpip »

I do fancy doing the gorge , looks great on YouTube. But haven't done col de bonette either
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