ROUTES
PROVENCE GRAVEL
Starting from one of provence’s most picturesque village, this loop will take you to one of france’s hidden gem of gravel riding and racing… the alpilles range
the gravel will be “rolling” but do not expect strada bianca all the way, the track will start in the ocre coloured east side before following watering canals to maussane where you can have lunch. an flatter section and and endless ridge of white gravel takes you back for a well deserved drink at the cafe
Provence
chamonix GRAVEL
chamonix is known for gnarly mountain biking, and trail running, how could it be a destination for gravel ?
the answer lies in the location of chamonix, close to the border with switzerland and one of the oldest mountain crossings between france and switzerland.
this gravel loop takes you to switzerland via a variation of the “chemin des diligences”, but the adventure starts after you hit the valley floor, climbing back to france via a gravel / b roads variation of col de la forclaz before hitting chamonix gravel classic “les jeurs climb”, 900m ascent through amazing hairpins, a mountain lake and a ski resort. the descent to chamonix will take you back to les praz for a well deserved beer
Chamonix
girona GRAVEL
the term “birth place” of gravel is probably over used but if there is one place that deserves it, it has to be girona, and the mythical traka 360 course from the first few editions, going to cap de creus and back, 360 degrees loop around girona
expect some steep climbs, incredibly rolling terrain and endless flat sections where you will want to be in a group and not with a strong headwind…
finish it off with a cafe at la fabrica, comparing you time to the sub 12h f.k.t. by hugo drechou… it used to take sub 18 hours to get the “blue coffee mug” trophy