April riding in the Alps?

Jan 4, 2010
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I'm thinking about driving down from London in order to ride a few of the big Tour climbs next weekend. I believe the roads are closed for a few of the biggest (e.g., Galibier), but looks like Alpe D'Huez and others are viable.

Does anyone have advice regarding whether or not this trip would be worth it so early in the season?
 
brent242 said:
I'm thinking about driving down from London in order to ride a few of the big Tour climbs next weekend. I believe the roads are closed for a few of the biggest (e.g., Galibier), but looks like Alpe D'Huez and others are viable.

Does anyone have advice regarding whether or not this trip would be worth it so early in the season?

Most of the higher passes (2,000m+) are closed until May. Alpe d'Huez is open because it leads to a ski area. Other ski area accesses will also be open as will be major roads like the Lauteret. Generally riding in the Alps isn't the best at this time of year.
 
brent242 said:
I'm thinking about driving down from London in order to ride a few of the big Tour climbs next weekend. I believe the roads are closed for a few of the biggest (e.g., Galibier), but looks like Alpe D'Huez and others are viable.

Does anyone have advice regarding whether or not this trip would be worth it so early in the season?

its a bit early for the big cols, but in the Oisans you will be ok for the Alpe d'Huez, Les Deux Alpes as well as some of the lower cols into the next couple of valleys to the west like Ornon and L'Alpe du Grand Serre (also known as col de la morte). There is a full list of what is open and closed here in french.

http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/diri/Accueil.do?langue=fr click acces aux cols