REVERSE ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES

ARRIVAL DAY
We'll be at Nice airport to meet you and then we'll take you to our hotel in Menton, on the Mediterranean, where there will be tools and track pumps available so you can assemble your bike. Later we'll get to know each other and discuss the trip in detail over dinner. 

DAY 1 - MENTON TO RIMPLAS - 92KM, CLIMBING 3,000 METRES
When you ride this route from north to south, it's always a pleasure on the last day to make the long descent into Menton. Unfortunately, that means that when you ride it from south to north, you go straight into a climb!  We set off from our hotel and after a couple of kilometres we turn left, away from the sea and towards the mountains, and from there, it's onwards and upwards for about 12km in a steady climb to the Col de Castillon (728km). We descend to the town of Sospel, where we follow the river for a while, and then start the climb to the Col de Turini (1607m), a major route in the Monte Carlo Rally, and the site of a monument to 12 people who were shot by the Germans in 1944.  It's a 15km descent to the Vésubie Valley, starting quite gently, but getting steeper in the middle, before evening out towards the bottom. We're straight into the next col, following the river Vésubie for about ten kilometres, climbing steadily, until we get to Saint-Martin-Vésubie, where it suddenly becomes a bit steeper for the next 15km. Finally, we're at the Col de Saint Martin (1503m) and the ski resort of Valdeblore La Comiane. From here it's a 12km descent to our overnight stop.  

DAY 2 - RIMPLAS TO BARCELONNETTE - 118KM, CLIMBING 3,300 METRES
We leave the hotel and we're descending for about 8km into the Tinée valley, where we follow the river for about 5km, until we arrive at Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée. Here we start the 16km climb to the Col de la Couillole (1678m). There's nothing at the top, so we continue on the short, shallow descent to Beuil, a good place to stop for a coffee. From here we climb again, a gentle 7km to the ski resort of Valberg (1672m), taking in the insignificant Col de Sainte-Anne en route. Down again, 14km, to Guillaumes, which has some nice cafés for lunch. Then we set off again on our longest climb to date, the Col de la Cayolle (2327m). The first 17km are easy, riding through a green/grey, fairly open landscape, but then after Entraunes it ramps up to 7 or 8% for the rest of the climb, with bits touching nearly 11%. Again, there's nothing much at the top, except a monument that gives us a great photo opportunity, and then we have the long, winding descent, down into the amazing Bachelard Gorge, one of the most dramatic and interesting parts of the entire trip. The road here is narrow, and the road surface is a bit rough in parts, but the scenery is absolutely stunning, and if it's a hot day, the shade is very welcome. Finally, we arrive in Barcelonnette, where we're staying.

DAY 3 - BARCELONNETTE TO BRIANÇON - 101KM, CLIMBING 2,700 METRES (+ BONETTE)
Our route leaves Barcelonnette and goes straight past the foot of the climb to the Cime de la Bonette (2802m), the second highest paved road in Europe, and the highest point ever ridden by the Tour de France, and we wanted to give you the opportunity to ride it. We've tried to keep today a reasonable distance, because for those who choose to take this extra option, it adds significantly to the day - 45km, of which half is obviously uphill, with 1600 metres of additional climbing.  

From Barcelonnette we follow the river Ubaye along the valley for about 9km to Jausiers, where you turn right if you're including the Cime de la Bonette. As as you ascend, the landscape goes from green fields to barren and rugged mountainsides, and you'll see the ruins of old gun emplacements and barracks. These were originally part of the Maginot line, which the French built to repel the German invaders during the war. Unfortunately, the line didn't extend to the border in the north and the Germans just went around it! It's now become a metaphor for spending a lot of money on something that was completely pointless. Time to admire the view at the top and take a photo with the monument, and then it's down again, back to Jausiers on the official route, where we catch up with the rest of the group, who probably had a lie-in and a lazy breakfast.

We continue 11km along the Ubaye valley, before we start our second climb of the day, the Col de Vars (2109m). This is quite a shallow climb at the bottom, but the last 4.5km averages 9%, and touches 11.5% at one point! There's a café at the top, and usually a souvenir stall, in case you need any ballast. It's quite a nice descent - good road surface, sweeping bends. We pass through the ski resort of Les Claux, and then the pace slows as we tackle a number of sharp hairpins coming into Guillestre.  This is good place to stop for coffee if you need a break before we start our last climb of the day, the Col d'Izoard (2360m).

We ride along the Guil valley this time, an undulating road, climbing gradually for 15km, before we turn left, and the real climb begins: you gain 1,000 metres in the next 15km, and the gradient touches 11.5% at one point. It's quite open and exposed at the bottom, but as you climb, you get into the shelter of the pine forest. If you have the energy, you can salute the monument to Coppi and Bobet as you go past. There's a short respite, where you're actually going downhill, and then it's up for the last couple of kilometres to the top. The landscape here is very barren, but the scenery is starkly beautiful. Finally, we have a 20km descent into Briançon.