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Doug Blane's


MOUNTAIN BIKE GUIDE TO CHAMONIX


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Mt Blanc, 4808m (15,760ft)


HISTORY

The first "tourist' to enter the Chamonix Valley where two English men, Windham and Pococke. In 1941 they organised a "tourist expedition" to climb up to the Mer-de-Glace. On the 8th of August 1786, Jacques Balmat and Dr. Paccard were the first to climb to the summit of Europe's highest mountain, Mount Blanc, standing at 4807M. The ascent heralds the creation of the renowned "Chamonix Guides Company". In 1924 Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympics. 1951 saw all the territory above 2000M classified as an environmentally "Protected Zone". General De Gaulle opened the Mount Blanc Tunnel in 1965, connecting France and Italy directly under Mount Blanc.

Rock Climbing, Chamonix - Mt Blanc.


ACCESS

Chamonix is situated in the French Alps on the Swiss and Italian boarders. It is approximately fifty miles south east of Geneva. There are numerous ways of getting to Chamonix.

Flights:

Fly to either Geneva or Lyon. Local French rail and bus services connect Geneva or Lyon to Chamonix. There is also a scenic Swiss rail link. You should not have any problems in taking your bike on these services.

Rail:

Regular rail links between London Victoria and Paris Gare De Nord. From Paris Gare de Lyon an overnight connection can take you directly to Saint - Gervais. Alternative routes to Lyon and Annecy can be made by using the high speed TGV. With local services then connecting you to Saint-Gervais. At Saint-Gervais the small French - Swiss Alpine train takes you up the valley into Chamonix. The french rail service does not allow you to travel on some journeys with your bike. You can however box your bike up and send it three or four days in advance. You then collect it at the station on your arrival.

Coach:

Euroline coaches run directly to Chamonix. The coaches do not carry bikes, even when boxed. The service is only of use if you intend to hire a mountain bike when you arrive in Chamonix.

Road:

There are various routes to drive to Chamonix. It is best to travel along the A40 from Macon, which brings you up into the valley.


ACCOMMODATION

Camping:

There are numerous campsites throughout the length of the valley. Prices are usually on a price per tent plus a price per person basis. They start from 14F per tent and from 16F per person. Some campsites also charge a surcharge for a car.

Hostels:

There are a few Hostels or bunkhouses (Gete's) in the valley, prices start from 60F per person per night.

Hotels:

With forty three hotels in Chamonix itself and numerous others throughout the valley, the choice is endless. Hotel prices range from 155F to 948F per room.

Mountain Biking, below le Brevent Telepherique, Chamonix - Mt Blanc.


TELEPHERIQUE SERVICES

Aiguille du Midi:

You can take your bike to the mid-station only. Plan de Aiguille one way costs 47F Low season, 50F High season. The telepherique is open throughout the year at 7h00 and closes at 17h00, except from the 4th July to 23rd August when it opens at 6h00.

Le Brevent:

During the high season you can only take your bike to the mid-station, but either side of the high season you can take it all the way to the Brevent station. One way to Planpraz will cost you 40F, one way to the Brevent 48F. The telepherique is open at 8h00 and closes at 18h00.

La Flegere:

Always open to Mountain Bikers a one way trip costs 32F. The telepherique is open throughout the year at 8h00 and closes at 17h00, except between 14th July and 16th August when it is open at 7h30 and closes at 17h30.

Lognan (part of Les Grand Montets network):

This system is always open to Mountain bikers. A one way ticket will cost you 32F. The telepherique is open from 7h15 and closes at 17h15.

Le Tour - Col de Balme:

Always open to Mountain Bikers. Le Tour to the mid-station Charamillon is 27F one way. Le Tour to Col de Balme is 42F one way. The gondolier is open at 8h15 and closes at 17h00 throughout the year, but is open until 18h00 between 13th July and 20th August.


MOUNTAIN BIKE SERVICES

Bikes can be hired from numerous Mountain Bike shops situated in Chamonix and the surrounding area. Look out for the "LOCATION" signs. Hire prices range from 30F for one hour to 100F per day, and 450F per week. Suspension Bikes can also be hired for 60F per hour, 180F per day, to 720F per week. The mountain bike shops in the valley stock full ranges of spares for any repairs you may need to make.

Mountain Biking, La Joux, Chamonix - Mt Blanc.


MOUNTAIN BIKE ACCESS

VTT is the name the French use for Mountain Bikes. Meaning "Velos Tout Terrain". The tourist authorities in Chamonix have recognised the increase in mountain bike activity and are actually encouraging the sport. They regularly repair any damage to the trails and protect mountain bikers from hurting themselves by padding the trees on difficult sections. During 1992 signposts were erected in the valley making the way for designated "VTT routes". Mountain biking has joined the impressive list of adventure sports participated throughout the magnificent Mount Blanc Massif. There are however some restrictions on mountain biking. During the "high season" between 1st July and 31st August, mountain bikes are restricted to the coloured signposted routes only. This is due to the large influx of tourists using the trails for walking. Outside the high season, all the trails are open to the intrepid mountain biker.


ROUTE GRADES

The mountain bike routes are graded in colours like ski runs and marked with numbers.
  1. The green route indicates "Parcours tres facile", very easy trails along four-wheel-drive tracks and "Foyer de ski de fond", tracks that are used for cross country skiing in the winter. These routes start from the centre of Chamonix and can be used as an off-road route to reach the harder trails.
  2. The blue route indicates "Parcour facile", easy trails along wide tracks incorporating gentle uphills.
  3. The red route indicates "Parcours difficile", difficult trails along thin paths. Be warned some sections of the red routes are very difficult.
  4. The black route indicates "Parcours tres difficile", very difficult trails along continuous up hill struggles on four-wheel-drive tracks giving access to the telepherique stations. For those who don't like hard up hill routes, cable cars can be taken on many of them allowing you to experience extreme, "full breaks all the time" descents.
Although some of the routes are only a couple of kilometres they can be connected to create longer more interesting routes.


Le Tour de France, "Going for the king of the mountains", Saint Gervais - Mt Blanc.


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Copyright to the images & text on this page belongs to Doug Blane.