Cycling in the mountains: something for everyone!

Road cycling: set off to conquer the legendary passes of the Tour de France

©Fotolia

As any cycling enthusiast will tell you, “the mountain stages of the Tour de France are where the race is won or lost!”. These stages are decisive in the race for the polka-dot jersey, treating us to a unique display of perseverance and performance. So, if you’re a fan, why not give some of the Tour de France’s legendary passes a go: Alpe d’huez, Mont Ventoux, Col du Grand Colombier, Grand Tourmalet … to name but a few! You’ll find information markers along the way, showing the difficulty level of the ascent to come. Make sure you’re well prepared though, as these mountain passes have challenged the most highly trained riders.  

Why not hit the pedals in the Pyrenees, home to many legendary cycling routes.  

MTB: Enjoy a bike ride ‘en famille’!

©Thuria BFC - Montagnes du Jura

Cycling is a great family activity, and with many different itineraries in our resorts, everyone can go at their own pace, depending on their level and what they feel like doing. Whether you want to admire breath-taking landscapes, enjoy an easy loop of the lake, or head off for a day session to get your fix of panoramic mountain views, these routes have been designed to make family mountain biking sessions as easy as riding a bike!

If it’s your first mountain biking session, or if you’re not planning to go out too often, renting your equipment on site is the perfect solution! Head to one of the many MTB rental shops in our resorts who are supporting eco-friendly and economical tourism. 

Take a look at : 

• The different cycling circuits to suit everyone, everywhere in the Jura Mountains.

• The best cycling routes to enjoy as a family in Villard de Lans Corrençon and in the Alps

• La Belle Via, to explore the lakes and mountains of the Savoie and Haute Savoie regions

DH MTB: Hit the downhill trails

©LaClusaz

With their wide tyres and special shock absorber suspension systems, downhill mountain bikes are designed to brave the most challenging mountain descents.  
With the help of ski lifts, climb to the top of the mountains to discover unique descents in the heart of Alpine pastures and pine forests. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy mountain sports all year round.  

Make the most of 14 downhill trails for all levels in Les Saisies, and the most incredible MTB routes in Les 3 Vallées.  

E-ATB: Climb up effortlessly

©OTVVA - Valmorel

You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy cycling in the mountains; E-ATBs (Electrically Assisted All Terrain Bikes) make it accessible to everyone!

Thanks to electrical assistance, you can set off to conquer the summits effortlessly, cycling up steep climbs at your own pace. To get the most out of your E-ATB, follow the advice of an MCF French cycling instructor.  

Take a look at our E-ATB itineraries in La Plagne and Les 2 Alpes. 

Bike Park: Take advantage of specially designed areas

©Fabien Gruas Bike Park AGS - Alpe du Grand Serre

Bike Parks are home to a variety of MTB facilities and circuits. You’ll find the resort’s downhill and enduro trails, as well as pump tracks, dirt tracks and zones comprising modules made of wood and stone, with plenty to delight mountain biking enthusiasts! 

Fat Bikes: Have a go at riding on snow, sand, and mud!

©Patronestaff

Fat Bikes get their name from their XXL tyres that provide excellent grip on all types of surfaces, allowing you to mountain bike over snow, sand, and mud too. It’s a year-round activity that you can enjoy on your own or with a guide, with or without electrical assistance. 

Give fat biking a go in the Jura mountains

Get on your bike with a French Cycling Instructor (MCF)

With 75 cycling schools all over France and more than 1,300 instructors/guides, the MCF is on hand to supervise cyclists and teach them new techniques.  

MTB (E-MTB), road bike, BMX, Fat Bike … have a lesson with an MCF instructor to learn how to ride them properly, to hit the trails safely or to improve your technique.  

The MCF also organises MCF Bike Travel trips so you can enjoy a cycling holiday with total peace of mind! They take care of the logistics, the routes are all provided in a roadbook, and you can choose to head off with or without supervision.

Crédit photo de couverture : ©LaBaze