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MTB and Cycling in Oisans |
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MTB Trails
in Oisans :
- » Cross country
- » Freeride
- » DownHill
- » Raid
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Season's events
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MTB and Cycling in Oisans |
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Season's events
Freeride
Leave one car in Bourg-d’Oisans and drive up to Alpe-d’Huez in another… or else cycle up there! The 21 switchbacks, made famous by the Tour de France (14.45km with a height gain of 1121m), await you. The record to beat is that of Pantini in 1997, who did it in 37 min 35 secs, averaging 23.08 km/h. … Good luck with the crampons! In the high season, you also have the option of riding to Allemont, from where shuttle buses will take you back up to Alpe-d’Huez.
This great downhill route is for semi-experienced cyclists looking to perfect their technique. The first part, the ‘Combe du Bras’, is excellent terrain for learning to position the wheels. The steepness of the trail means that you never go too fast, so falling off would not be a major disaster. You will learn to tackle the tree section at the end of the route, together with two technical bends that finish with a nice ride. The ‘Forêt de l’Ours’ part is fast and fun, with a series of sliding bends. Beware of leaves of the ground that may be covering roots or branches. ----
Start off on the panoramic path leading off from the car park of the "Le Saint-Laurent" apartments just above the post office in Alpe-d’Huez. Follow it to the edge of the forest of La Combe du Bras, where a gnarled tree trunk overhangs the path (watch your head) and carry on down along the ridge to the village of Huez. The upper part of the Combe du Bras features rather slippery soil bends. Watch out for roots on the straight sections.
Lower down, the terrain becomes stony and more technical. This spectacular route is made trickier by a number of steps. The entire Romanche Valley, in all its glory, unfolds before your wheels.
This path brings you down to the Huez – Villard-Reculas tarmac road, which you take to the right for 3km to Villard-Reculas. The road daringly overhangs the entire Bourg-d’Oisans plain with superb viewpoints. Once in Villard-Reculas, 100 m after the ‘Mairie’, turn left, following signs to the Forêt de l’Ours. Take care not to scare the cows!
The ‘Forêt de l’Ours’ is a lovely, really fast 4 km woodland descent. Sometimes straightforward and sometimes a teaser, this route (one of the finest downhills in the area) is really fun! The trail comes out onto a track - turn left to cycle the short distance along the dyke to Bourg-d’Oisans. If going to Allemont, turn right and cycle along the flat road for 7 km.
Stop off at the cheese shop at Villard-Reculas to buy some fresh goat’s cheese for your picnic.
The panoramic views over the Taillefer, Belledonne and the Écrins.
