How we did it

TRAVEL

The greenest way to travel to Bourg d’oisans is via train, taking the Eurostar from London to Paris then the TGV direct to Grenoble. From Grenoble it’s a case of an hour’s bus or car journey, or private pick-up. See alp-venture.com for some competitive transfer rates. Flying is the other option, with Lyon and Geneva airports a 2h and 2h 45min car journey away respectively.

ACCOMMODATION

We stayed with cyclotour operator Cycling Ascents, which offers self-catered and B&B accommodation in a beautifully converted old schoolhouse in Bourg d’oisans, itself the perfect base for tackling a host of other mountains in the area, from the Galibier to the Croix de Fer. Prices start from €126pn in a chalet sleeping up to six. See cyclingascents.com.

THANKS

Our warmest thanks to Kevin Smith of Cycling Ascents for putting together this route and riding it with his friend Chris Wall. Cycling Ascents offers accommodation, guided and self-guided tours and training camps from its base in Bourg d’oisans. Thanks also to Lee from Alpventure, who drove our photographer Dan around for the day.