The mountain by bicycle
The little queen is queen of the mountains! Uphill or downhill, on the road or on paths, pushing hard on the pedals with the nose in the wind, one can get a different taste of the mountain on two wheels. And as for the show, it is also at the top of the passes that the cycling amateurs will discover the most intense moments of the great cycling competitions! One more reason to climb the summits!
What better way to discover the incredible sensations of the mountain than by pedalling all the way up? Ideal to go everywhere on all paths, one can cycle from one pass to another in peace and discover all the view points at ones own rhythm, taking advantage of the scenery and the fresh air of the summits. For mountain bikers, cyclists or hikers travelling through the mountain on two wheels is a great time.
Over the last years, mountain resorts have very much adapted to the needs of mountain bikers, notably with the development of special areas and paths dedicated to bikers, and the democratisation of the material. Biking has become a new ‘craze’ which results in the presence of numerous events in the resorts: Mountain bike world cup in Les 2 Alpes, Mégavalanche in Alpe d’Huez or the French descent championship in Méribel.
The success of mountain biking must not occult the fact that mountains have always been the playground for cyclists and cyclotourists. Indeed, every summer so many cyclists pedal up the slopes to the different passes just for the pleasure of the effort and the glory of reaching the summit, for a ride in the fresh air and the pleasure of the views. They ride along the bends of the Col de la Croix de Fer or Col du Galibier for the Brevet du Randonneur Alpin, famous cyclotourist meeting, or climb up the Tourmalet, the Puy Marie pass or the Col de la Faucille. As many names that sound familiar to whom follows the famous Tour de France every year. The Tour de France which is one of the most popular sporting events in the world and which will once again this year come through the Alps, the Pyrenees or the Massif Central with its usual success (Serre Chevalier, Gap, Alpe d’Huez, Luz Ardiden, Plateau de Beille, Super-Besse). Not to be missed!
But no need to be a great sportsman to go cycling in the mountains. The paths and roads can also be smooth and easy, accessible to all, for a ride with friends or family. No great effort, just cycle through the woods and along the flowered paths and contemplate! In the Jura mountains, one can also enjoy the landscapes riding along on an electrically-assisted bicycle!
Electrically-assisted bicycle video
Photos : A.Breysse, P.Royer
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