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MTB and Cycling in Oisans |
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Season's events
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MTB and Cycling in Oisans |
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Season's events
Climbing
The ascent of this spectacular road will remain an unforgettable memory for every cyclist!
Although the climb is very hard, it is not good for warming up your legs. Remember to warm up properly in the plains before you make the climb.
The road leads through three tunnels dark as pitch. So do not go on this tour without making sure that you have proper lighting!
Although there is not much traffic, this narrow road and the closeness of the precipice make encounters with vehicles rather dangerous.
In the centre of Bourg-d’Oisans take the D219 towards Villard-Notre-Dame. The road very soon rises above the valley. The first part of the road, which is cut straight through the rock, is particularly trenuous, mainly because of the three unlit tunnels. Then you will find your rhythm from the second part of the tour which winds through the forest up to the village. Be careful when going down, as the road is dangerously narrow with a precipice!
That little bit further
From Villard-Notre-Dame you can go on to Villard-Reymond on the road leading up to the Col de Solude. Although this road is in poor condition, you can use it to catch up with itinerary no. 9 over this charming stretch of 3.5 km, and from there you can go back to Bourg-d’Oisans!
The mines of LA GARDETTE
In 1717, a local farmer found half a pound of gold. This was the beginning of the gold mines of La Gardette. Over the centuries, the mines were also owned by the Count of Provence and Napoleon, among others. No more than 20 kg of gold were extracted from those mines over two centuries, so the mines were eventually closed down in 1901. What really made these mines famous was the quality of its quartz crystals. The mines had galleries of 8 to 10 m high and 6 to 7 m long and its crystals were so clear that they were used for manufacturing the chandeliers of Versailles. Thus, the most beautiful deposits of quartz crystals in the world were to be found in the mines of La Gardette. Entering the mines has been prohibited by by-law since 1969.
"I have perhaps spent the best years of my life on my bicycle." Jules Renard
