After 2 years of COVID you probably can't wait to ride a nice Alpine cyclo. Or a cool gravel ride. Or both. Then mark the weekend of 4 and 5 June in your agenda, because with the Galibier Challenge and Maurienne Gravel Experience you do two cool events in one weekend.
The weather in Western Europe has been very good the last few months, probably you have already cycled more than you could have imagined. And after the COVID time you would like to ride a great cyclo again. Preferably one with a famous col, after all it has to have some appeal. Perhaps you still doubt whether you are ready for rides with more than 4000 metres altitude. Then the Galibier Challenge is the perfect event for you. And if you want to get the most out of your weekend, you can ride a very cool gravel gran fondo the day before: the Maurienne Gravel Experience.
This small-scale gran fondo has 110 kilometres and 3350 altitude metres. The start is in Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, at the foot of the Col du Télégraphe. First you ride a lap through the region over two less known climbs: Montée de Orelle and Col de Beau Plan. Don't underestimate them, this is serious climbing. After 40 kilometres the climb of one of the hardest and most beautiful challenges of the French Alps starts: the Col du Galibier via the Col du Télégraphe. This classic side is also part of the Marmotte. And which has been climbed many times in the Tour.
As it is early June, you are assured of huge snow walls. You must once experience this. The finish at the top of the Galibier is also one of the highest in Europe. We have published an article about this before.
There is also a short route of 35 km and 1900 altimeters. Here, you climb only Télégraphe/Galibier.
This gran fondo is the perfect start of your season. There is actually no reason not to ride it.
Visit our updated shop. With discounts on starting tickets of up to 50%, offers, used tickets, clothing and much more!
The day before, you can participate in the Maurienne Gravel Experience. This is really cool, gravel in the mountains.
From Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne you go via Orelle via the unpaved side to the Col de Télégraphe. How cool is that? After a descent on the road to Valloire, it continues on gravel roads to the highest point of the route: Crey du Quart at 2300 meters. Finally, there is a descent to Valmenier.
The whole route is 70% gravel and 30% paved. Gravelling in the high mountains, a truly unique experience.
Do you like this? Then there is also a short route of 35 km and 1487 altimeters.
Both events are in gran fondo style, so with timekeeper and stage. Combining is quite possible, because the longest distances of both tours are not so extreme. In the race cycling tour you cover 110 km and 3350 hm in the long distance, in the gravel cycling tour it is 67 km and 2627 hm. In addition, they have a short distance.
Find all info on the official websites:
We still have some free registrations for you using the code below. Code not working anymore? Then 3 people have already gone before you!
Subscriptions via the official websites:
For both events, you pay €45 for the long route and €35 for the short route. That is definitely not expensive for such a top event.
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