St Gervais to Les Saisies (1,650m)

Saturday, 26 March 2016

In preparation for 2016 Tour du Mont Blanc, Posh Giles and I had planned a winter/spring training camp in French Alps. 

We were staying in a ski village called Les Contamines - 9km up the road from St Gervais-les-Bains. St Gervais is a pretty town with a traditional charm much sought after in the Alps... it would also host Stage 19 (Albertville-St Gervais Mont Blanc) of this year's Tour de France.

We had planned 3 epic rides that would take in the start/finish sections of TMB. Our thinking was that if we knew the opening 75km and final 25km of TMB, then we'd have an distinct advantage come race day. In fact, we had predicted that come race day, we'd be riding some of these roads in darkness. So this training camp would be our only chance to get to know the roads... in daylight (or so we thought!). 

St Gervais to Albertville

Our first ride was St Gervais to Les Saisies and back. It would be a short(ish) ride that would get help us understand was in store later in the year.

The road from St Gervais to Megeve was the perfect warm up. The TMB would use this road but in the other (clockwise) direction. It has a slight uphill gradient with some sweeping bends. This would be a road that I'd get to know very well over the next couple of days.

We followed the D1212 valley road until we greeted by and an unexpected (and rather hilly) diversion that took us onto the D109. A double-grippy hill climb took us both into the red for the first time. However, on reaching the summit we had the most amazing traffic-free descent to Ugine. Alice and Treacle were starting to enjoy themselves.  

We followed the bike path from Ugine to Albertville, running parallel to D1212. Toot toot. The path was used by other cyclists and families out walking for the day. It's a flat path that proved too popular for any speedy cycling. A more leisurely pace ensued and soon we were in Albertville and ready for our lunch.

After a panini, a couple of cakes and an obligatory espresso, we refilled our water bottles and set off towards Les Saisies.

Albertville to Les Saisies

It was uphill all the way from Albertville (300m) to Les Saisies (1,650m).

We took the D925 and headed into the hills. Wow! A change of scenery and pastures green. The fresh smells of traditional farming. The stunning sights of following a fast flowing river.

We decided to skip the TDF route that follows the D123, and continue to Beaufort where we'd pick up the TMB route. 

After a short breather in Beaufort, we gathered our bearings, and started the 900m ascent from Beaufort to Les Saisies. This was tough. Heading out of Beaufort, the road kicks up and up and get grippy. We were knackered. But we kept going safe in the knowledge that on race day, we'd be riding the same roads having already ridden 300km! 

At 1,150m altitude, Hauteluce is the last village you reach before Les Saisies. Extra layers went on as the temperature started to drop. Snow was at the side of the roads. What were we even thinking? Again, the resolve that we'd be doing this all over again in 3 months kept us going. Keep pedalling. How hard can it be!

Finally, we reached Les Saisies ski resort (1,650m). Unbelievable! We had cycled to the summit of a ski resort in winter. We got a few bemused looks as the apres ski was kicking in. A quick photo opportunity, take on some food, and refill out bottles again. We were conscious that the light was going so we didn't hang around. 

The journey home

We decided to wear all layers for the 45km journey home. This was a wise choice. The next 16km would be downhill. We descended like idiots, mindful that the roads would be icy. Ride hard/ride safe. We picked up the D1212 and followed the road home.

I can't remember when or where it went dark. But it suddenly happened. Stadium lights on. Check. Rear lights on. Check. Jelly babies. Check. 

The final km of any long-distance bike ride can be emotional. You've put it all on the line. You've experienced highs and lows. You become reflective. It's amongst all these emotions that you realise this is what I do it for. You savour the moment. RB