Cycling
Road Cycling
You can’t just go and play football on Wembley, or play rugby at Twickenham, the joy of road cycling is that the sport’s most famous arenas are open to all! The Chilled Mountain chalet is situated in a great location for tackling some of bike racing’s most famous and challenging routes. Whether you want to recreate some of the tours most famous stages such as 2013’s epic double ascent of Alpe d’Heuz, ride famous routes such as The Marmot or just tick off the Col’s that you have seen on TV, our chalet holidays are one of the best ways to enjoy cycling in the Southern Alps.
Road cycling routes guide.
30 essential road cycling routes in Oisans. Download the guide here.
Location
Located in Oz-station we are a 19K (downhill) ride away from the cycling Mecca of Bourg D’Oisans at the foot of Alpe D’Huez (Just long enough to warm up the legs). If your ride finishes in Alpe D’Huez we are 15 minutes on the cable car, otherwise you have two options either a pleasant 7.3 k 7.5% climb back up from the valley or take the complementary Navette from Allemont. The foot of the Oz climb is the route to Glandon & Croix de Fer so you’re right in the middle of the action.
Extras:
In order to make your cycling experience as easy and enjoyable we have thought about all the extras that make your trip run smoothly:
- Secure Bike storage.
- Bike workshop with basic Park Tools and work stand.
Accessible Cols include:
L’Alpe d’Heuz - The most famous climb in cycling! We can’t promise 500 000 fans cheering you on but you will still be able to enjoy riding over the names of some of the most famous cyclists of all time, still visible grafitied onto the road. Pantani’s record of 37:35 has stood the test of time but anything under 60 minutes is considered a very good time. Ascent 1100m
Col de Sarenne - “If it rains I’m too scared to go down” Chris Froome 2013. A truly terrifying decent, even in the dry. However a great climb which many locals consider a better route to Alpe d’Huez than the famous 21 hairpins. Ascent 950m.
Col d’Ornon - A fairly easy route popular with locals at the beginning of the season. A nice climb on a summer morning as the trees keep it mainly in the shade. Ascent 650m.
Col du Sabot - Harder, steeper and higher than Alpe d’Huez and with a fraction of the traffic. Once the snow has cleared this is not to be missed. Climb through the ski station of Vaujany and on to the Sabot where views of the Croix du Fer and Lac du Grande Maison await. Ascent 1400m.
Le Col de la Croix de Fer - Col de la Croix de Fer (Pass of the Iron Cross) has appeared 16 times in the Tour de France (first in 1947). It is in the middle of one of the best cycling regions in France linking the Oisans (e.g. Alpe d’Huez) with the Maurienne Valley (eg. Galibier) Ascent 1550m.
Col du Glandon - A regular on the Tour de France. This is a challenging climb with great views and is also the first climb on the Marmot sportive. Ascent 1470m.
Col du Telegraph - Galibier's little brother and a good warm up! From the Maurienne valley this is the only route to Valloire at the foot of Galibier. Ascent 710m.
Col du Galibier - 50 km from Bourg d’Oisans or 100km if on the Marmot and all uphill! This is probably the hardest climb in the Alps nearly 2000m climbing with no break. A regular Tour de France stage finish if the weather allows.
Les Deux Alps - A regular on the tour and not too challenging. Ascent 1000m.
Bike Hire
Oz en Oisans
At the heart of the resort, Skimium offers a wide range of summer sporting goods including mountain and road bikes for hire.
Some of the equipment available locally:
- Full suspension MTB (go getting proper downhill types)
- Front suspension (cross country bikes)
- Road bike
- Children’s bike (quite small)
- Body Armour
Tel: +33(0)4.76.80.72.78
Open from start July to end August
Bourg d'Oisans
In the town of Bourg d'Oisans (a 30 minute drive from the chalets) there is also a number of bike hire shops which specialise in higher end road bikes. For more information and to reserve online please visit the sites below.
Lift Pass
For information about summer lift pass prices, opening times and other useful information please click here.
Cycling Events
Alpe D'Huez EDF Triathlon
The Alpe d'Huez EDF Triathlon is listed as among the most beautiful in the world. It is unique as the French electricity board sponsoring the event (EDF) stops the hydroelectric plant - the most powerful in France - so the the swimming contest can be held in the crystal clear waters of Lac du Verney. Then the cycling course features the famous 21 bends used by the Tour de France as it climbs 1120 m to the ski resort of Alp d'Huez for the the run.
“I have never competed in a race as beautiful as Alpe d’Huez Triathlon. The location is simply amazing: a swimming area in crystal-clear water, a wonderful bike round with the legendary Alpe d’Huez climb and a running section with unbelievable landscapes. The atmosphere was also very festive. I will never forget this race.” Queen Chrissie Wellington declared in an exclusive interview for the Triathlète Magazine.
Our catered chalet in Oz en Oisans is in a prime location for this event, being only a 7 minute drive away from Lake Verney and the start of the race. Then from Alp d'Huez it is just a 10 minute ride in the telecabin that takes you back to Oz en Oisans.
Alpe D'HuZes
Alpe d'Huzes is a dutch cycling event that raises money for the fight against cancer, by cycling up the 21 bends of Alpe d'Huez an incredible six times in one day under the motto "Never, ever quit!".
Many donations are collected, rather like the Téléthon in France or Comic Relief in the UK.
La Marmotte
La Marmotte is an annual, one-day road cycling event. It is thought to be the first ever cyclosportive and also remains one of the most popular today in Europe, with interest exceeding the 7,000 places available.
Covering a distance of 174 km (108 miles) and with 5,180 m (16,990 ft) of climbing, the route is considered to be one of the hardest of any cyclosportive and comparable to any of the most challenging high mountain stages of the Tour de France.
The Marmotte Gran Fondo starts in Bourg d’Oisans and climbs the Col de la Croix Fer, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier before returning to Bourg d’Oisans and finishes up the 21 hairpin bend climb to the ski station of L’Alpe d’Huez. The following day you will have another chance to climb the 21 hairpin bend climb of L’Alpe d’Huez, this time in the Grimpe de L’Alpe, 13km mass participation cycling event from Bourg d’Oisans to the ski station of L’Alpe d’Huez. Each Marmotte rider will be given their personal time.
Our Chilled Mountain chalet is conveniently located just a 25 minute drive from Bourg d'Oisans.
Entries usually open on the 1st of December and it is first come first served.
Megavalanche
The Megavalanche is the ultimate downhill mountain biking event. It is the longest downhill race in the world. The event itself starts at 3300 metres on the snow capped glacier above Alpe d'Huez before descending into the small valley town of Allemont at 720 metres, in 200 person heats....a few days training before is necessary if you want to do well or even make it down the mountain alive! No amount of UK riding, fitness or gym time can prepare you enough for this legendary descent that is the mega avalanche!
Our chalet in Oz en Oisans is in the perfect location for this event as the telecabin that leads up to Pic Blanc and the start of the race is just 100 metres from the front door of the chalet.
