Alps in may

[jowwy]

Anybody ridden in the alps during may and can give an input on the croix de fir, glandon, galibier etc is rideable....

Thanks

 

[oldfatfool]

Possibly possiby not. Never ridden in May but have driven, check out individual passes official opening dates but it is still hit and miss. For instance in the last week of May i followed a snow blower in a blizard into Gletcsh over the Grimsel but the higher Furka was as clear as a bell climbing the other side of the valley.

 

[bianchi1]

Wouldn't be my idea of fun. Even if you get lucky and the col's are open you stand a good chance of getting caught in some serious cold weather at the tops. 20 degrees at the bottom of the Galibier means around 3 at the top....and you are a long way from warmth and help. Get wet and the situation can get serious quickly. If you are supported it should be ok but the high mountains mustn't be underestimated.

 

[jowwy]

Thats what we thought, so we have switched it to 6th to 10th july

 

[bianchi1]

Where are you planning to stay?

 

[jowwy]

Where are you planning to stay?

Bourg de'osians

 

[bianchi1]

Bourg de'osians

I'm over there (here) at the moment. For the climbs you want to do, the next valley is better. Look at le chambre for example. I'm not even sure the galibier is going to be accessible from Bourg for the next few years, collapsing mountain and all that.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Will the Grand Tunnel du Chambon be open this coming September? I think part of my 1 week cycling tour may go through it.

 

[oldfatfool]

Thought they had upgraded the logging road on the opposite bank to circumnavigate the collapsed sections

 

[Twizit]

Did Alpe D'Huez a few years back and included Croix de Fer, Glandon and Deux Alpe. Went in mid June, about a week before the main summer season started. Perfect weather - usually around 20-25 degrees but still had one or two days when it topped 30 climbing D'Huez which was a bit much. All this said, the top of Galibier was still closed. As others have said, May is pushing it. I see you've moved dates into July - for future I'd also consider September - less busy but more passes should be open and weather usually still ok.

 

[jowwy]

Did Alpe D'Huez a few years back and included Croix de Fer, Glandon and Deux Alpe. Went in mid June, about a week before the main summer season started. Perfect weather - usually around 20-25 degrees but still had one or two days when it topped 30 climbing D'Huez which was a bit much. All this said, the top of Galibier was still closed. As others have said, May is pushing it. I see you've moved dates into July - for future I'd also consider September - less busy but more passes should be open and weather usually still ok.

September would encrouch into family holiday....so thats a no go

I think july gives us more chance of cols being open and hopefully not too cold or even hot, but who can predict the weather.

Also i am more of a 17st time trialler than a 10st climber, so gives me an extra months training and weight shedding

 

[Twizit]

Also i am more of a 17st time trialler than a 10st climber, so gives me an extra months training and weight shedding

Wouldn't let that worry you - I'm no featherweight and in a group of us who were stupid enough to try the Cingles du Ventoux last year one of the group tops out at about 18 stone and he still managed the three accents in one day - there's a lot to be said for sticking to a pace you know you can maintain...


... and being absolutely bloody minded

 

[jowwy]

Wouldn't let that worry you - I'm no featherweight and in a group of us who were stupid enough to try the Cingles du Ventoux last year one of the group tops out at about 18 stone and he still managed the three accents in one day - there's a lot to be said for sticking to a pace you know you can maintain...


... and being absolutely bloody minded

Oh by july and the alps i'm planning on being around 14st and a climbing beast