A beautiful traverse through the heart of the Alps, through the Haute Alps and Haute Provence, passing around the stunning Gorges du Verdon and picturesque provencal villages to reach the beautiful beaches of Hyeres in the South of France.

We will set off from Chamonix (1030m) with a targeted four days to reach the South of France. We will average around 100km a day and 1500-2000m metres of vertical ascent and descent. We will be passing cols peaking at around 2,300 metres. Accommodation will be in Chambre D’hotes (B&B’s) and local hotels (approx £40 ppn).

COMPETENCE / FITNESS REQUIRED

STAGE 2 – Cycling experience including ascents of up to 2000m in a day. The pace will be slow and steady so this is a fair test of endurance. There will be advice from Mark on how to succeed, and sports drinks and supplements available. We will aim to average around 14-16 km / hour for 7 to 9 hours a day. A technical route map with all the envisage climb statistics will be made available shortly.

Arrive 28rd May in Chamonix, best to arrive early in the day or the night before if you wish to hire a bicycle. This will give you a chance to test out your equipment. You will need to take clip in cycling shoes, if you are bringing your own bike then you must supply these. If you are hiring a bike you will need to let us know whether you will bring your own or whether you will need to hire these. It is very important to check that your bike is in good working order. A pre-event service is essential if you are in doubt as you will be putting your bike through punishing ascents. You will also need to ensure that you have suitable gearing on your bike. If you have only two front sprockets then a 25/27 toothed sprocket is a realistic minimum.

Travel Options (UK participants):

These only apply to those joining the event at this stage. If you are continuing from the Ski stage then you will be automatically in the correct place. Active Earth Travel can help you organise travel.

TRAIN
Tues 27nd May
You can take the Eurostar – London to Paris (6pm / 6.30pm latest) Change for the 10.25pm Corail Lunea sleeper train from Paris Austerlitz to St Gervais (20 mins from Chamonix), arrives 9am Fri 23rd May.
Outbound – If returning after cycle-stage then return from Marseille or Toulon via Paris and Eurostar.
Note if you come by Train then it is difficult to bring your bike as Eurostar will carry it as freight and will not guarantee that it travels on the same train as you are travelling on. You should be able to carry it on the Corail Lunea, but the TGV return from Marseille will depend on the train as not all allow bicycles.