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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
Oisans territoire du VTT et du cyclotourisme, UCI coupe du monde VTT, marathon VTT, FFC coupe de France VTT, mondial du VTT, Mountain of Hell, Mégavalanche, la Marmotte cyclo, Tour de France cycliste, de Vaujany au plateau d’emparis et par l’Alpe d’Huez, cyclo, VTT Freeride, VTT Cross country pour découvrir les Alpes en Oisans.
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MTB and Cycling in Oisans |
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Season's events
DownHill
This route can only be taken during the high season when the cable car is running (the last weekend in June to the last weekend in August).
For more information, call 04 76 11 44 44.
This route enables you to discover, whether with friends or on your own, the route of the ‘Megavalanche’, the most spectacular MTB race of all time, and experience the thrill of the 3300m glacier departure point. This is a free-ride route featuring nearly 3000m of descent! Starting off on the Glacier de Sarenne, the route finally emerges from this chaos of rock and ice onto the high pastures of Le Cairn, before winding its way further down through the forest. Fast, technical and athletic, this route brings together all the ingredients for a classic MTB ride.
Your riding technique and your MTB experience really have to be up to scratch to tackle this ride. Take care, do not over-estimate your ability and consult the weather forecast. Your bike must be in perfect condition – don’t hesitate to rent a special downhill model from Alpe d’Huez. It is important to remember that this is an isolated, untamed mountain route. Do not leave wearing just a T-shirt and take essential items, such as a first-aid kit, survival blanket, telephone and repair kit in your backpack. Once again, your bike must be in tip-top condition.
Starting from the 3000m terrace, head off on the glacier. Go through the tunnel and take the flat glacier, avoiding the only crevasse formed by the Sarenne stream, and ride on to the Herpie cable car. Drop down to a wide, stony path.
The ‘Sentier de la Cristallière’ path then heads off on a long, fairly technical, traverse. Once you arrive at the cairn, you go over onto the side of the resort slopes. The path then goes up to the two-seater chairlift of Le Chalvet. You are now riding on the pasture land that dominates the resort up to the Col du Poutran. Carry on alongside the Canal des Sarrazins and the Côte Souveraine. Turn down sharply towards Villard Reculas via the Mur de Villard and take the beginning of the ‘Sentier des Combes’ to get back to the Villard Reculas lift car park. You then enter the famous Sardonne forest with its steep gradient and switchbacks.
Follow the signposts, taking care not to miss the sign for ‘La Voute’ on your right. It’s amazing how quickly you get there! Once at La Voute, ride up the road for 100m, before heading off to the left towards Allemont (signposted Allemont 0h 15). Cross the pretty metal footbridge over the Eau d’Olle and take the right-hand track back to the swimming pool from where the shuttle bus leaves.
This race is a masterpiece of its kind, fiercely contested by riders from over 20 countries. It requires stamina, subtlety and strategic effort management – qualities to delight all the contestants – in outstanding scenery of ice, rock and forest.
