geneva to nice

[molzor]

thinking about doing a route across the mountains from geneva to nice, two places which are nicely linked up by eurostar either side.

looks like a beautiful route, has anyone else done something similar to this? or am I a mad man to try tackle mountain climbs this size with my camping gear

the shortest path according to google maps is 412km. which really isnt that far. but with 7500m climbing, im assuming itll be pretty tough. im not sure how long i would need to do it

[whoof]

I did this a couple of years ago and followed (but not completely) the Route des Grand Alps.
http://www.grande-traversee-alpes.com/e ... pine-route

I've done a fair few tours in the Alps and Pyrenees with full camping stuff on a 15 kg bike. I've never found any of the mountains a problem to ride up but this depends on your gearing, fitness and how far (or how many mountains) you want to do in a day.
We (myself and Mrs Whoof) rode it in mid-June, before France gets busy and took two weeks, as if we like a place we might stay a couple of nights. We missed the Col du Galibier as it was closed due to snow. I get confused as to were exactly I've been and would need to check my diary. I can remember we stopped in Bourg D'oisans for a couple of nights at the Camping Colporteur, Let's do it.
http://www.camping-colporteur.com/camps ... isere.html

I liked Briancon. The Col de la Bonette is very long but steady apart from the final km which is 10% + and a loop to nowhere just to make the road higher. There were lots of marmots near the top and I had a nice chocolate fondant as part of a set lunch in Saint-Etienne de Tinee after the descent.

We stayed in Nice a few nights at the Premier Class Hotel
http://www.premiereclasse.com/en/hotels ... es-anglais
This is a bit out of the centre and right opposite the airport. But the room price is very good and there is a very reasonable breakfast buffet. There's triple glazing so the rooms are quiet and you can put your bike in your room. To get in and out of the centre just use a Velo Bleu hire bike. 1Euro a day to register and free for 1/2 an hour which is enough time to ride the Promenade Des Anglais to the centre.
http://en.nicetourisme.com/velobleu

[rualexander]

We did it ten years ago, great trip, we took our time over three weeks but could do it in two no problem, we went in september and included the following cols - Madeleine, Telegraphe, Galibier, Izoard, Vars, and Cayolle. The Bonette was closed due to snow the day we were meant to go over it so we went by the Cayolle instead, which actually resulted in a really nice route down to Nice
Photos here https://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexand ... 4415722087

[mnichols]

I did this a Raid Alps a few years back, circa 30 alps in 5 days. Nice to Geneva very tough. longest day was over 130miles. Several cols each day, including some of the highest in Europe. Great Route, but tough

[pwa]

Cycling up Alpine roads with camping gear is a beautiful thing to do. If I were on a bare race bike I would try to get up a long climb with no breaks. But with camping gear I cycle for a while, pull over and admire the view, and repeat as many times as it takes to get to the summit. Perfect. Don't try it too early in the year, though. Snow can hang on for quite a while up there.

[andymiller]

thinking about doing a route across the mountains from geneva to nice, two places which are nicely linked up by eurostar either side.

Excuse me if you know this already, but if you are going to Geneva then you're looking at taking the TGV Lyria service from Paris. This has some spaces for undismantled bikes but only three or four spaces so make sure to book early. If you're travelling with a bike in bag then you can travel on any service, but be sure to check the rules on bike bag sizes.

You can't take bikes on the direct eurostar services from the south of France - whether or not they are in a bag. They do have a link with a courier who will ship the bags back. If you have a bike in a bag then you can take the TGV via Paris or Lille. For undismantled bikes the best option is probably the night train from Nice.

Your best bet coming back from Nice with an undismantled bike is the night train via Marseille:

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/train/intercites-nuit

[molzor]

Thanks for the info! and there was me thinking i could just get on the train. part of the reason i chose this route was for sake of ease and not having to stick the bike on a plane. I will look into this further

[andymiller]

Thanks for the info! and there was me thinking i could just get on the train. part of the reason i chose this route was for sake of ease and not having to stick the bike on a plane. I will look into this further

Don't let me put you off though. It's all very do-able. The change in Paris is really pretty straightforward.

[molzor]

i think i might just invest in a ctc bike bag, and get the tgv via paris home. i can attempt to pack it up, wheel either side of the frame, bars and saddle down. it should come in under the 120x90cm size limit.

i was considering a proper bike bag but i just dont know how you are supposed to transport these whilst riding.

[andymiller]

i think i might just invest in a ctc bike bag, and get the tgv via paris home. i can attempt to pack it up, wheel either side of the frame, bars and saddle down. it should come in under the 120x90cm size limit.

i was considering a proper bike bag but i just dont know how you are supposed to transport these whilst riding.

The night train is a much more convenient option. See here:

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/train/intercites-nuit (use Google Translate is you don't speak French)

and route map:

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/ext/editori ... c-nuit.pdf

And everything you ever wanted to know about travelling on sleeper trains in France.

http://www.seat61.com/lunea.htm

The service I travelled on back from Nice last year had a bike compartment with space for maybe ten bikes (maybe more at a pinch).

The fare was an extremely reasonable 45€ (which included 10€ for the bike ticket).

Really it's easy.

[Richard Fairhurst]

And everything you ever wanted to know about travelling on sleeper trains in France.

http://www.seat61.com/lunea.htm

Though unfortunately that does now have the sentence "Update: Sadly, SNCF plan to discontinue all intercités de nuit as from 1 July 2016 except for Paris-Briancon, Paris-Rodez & Paris-Latour de Carol."

[andymiller]

And everything you ever wanted to know about travelling on sleeper trains in France.

http://www.seat61.com/lunea.htm

Though unfortunately that does now have the sentence "Update: Sadly, SNCF plan to discontinue all intercités de nuit as from 1 July 2016 except for Paris-Briancon, Paris-Rodez & Paris-Latour de Carol."

Damn and double damn. It's not a surprise, but I'm surprised they are cutting them just before the summer holidays. Thanks for that I had now better go and correct my posts promoting it!

[molzor]

I could cycle nice to geneva instead?