UKC

Hi, I'm planning on cycling out to chamonix in a couple of weeks time for a ski season, and maybe a bit of climbing. Has anyone done this before and have any suggestions about routes to take. Also I'll need a job to support my stay, is it viable to turn up with CV's and spam bars with them, or will I need to get one beforehand. Any advice would be good thanks!

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

I like the idea, top marks if you go through with it. No idea about routes etc. but I just wanted to show my appreciation. How do you intend to get all your kit over there? Winter kit is pretty bulky and heavy and if you're out there for a while you'll need a fair bit of clothing.

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:
The strava global heat map is pretty useful, it lets you see reguarly cycled routes. It's also pretty interesting in itself. Use it in conjunction with streetview so you don't end up on Mountain bike routes!

http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#7/2.93171/47.71303/blue/bike

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

It's a bit left-field by why not use Google Maps to plan / navigate your route. It has a cycle option and all the cycle lanes / by-ways are in there and used in navigation. I got off a train at Shrewsbury and used Google Navigation (with earphones) to direct me to a Youth Hostel in the middle of no where and was surprised to find myself cycling through parks and along dedicated cycle paths.

BUT: When I eventually lost signal, my navigator gave up and I ended up doing a 10 mile detour up a massive hill. I believe there might be ways of caching your maps.

Good luck and I have to say I rather envy you!

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

Two of us cycled from the Midlands to Cham and back in February 1976, but without any climbing gear. We wild camped wherever we were when darkness fell. Avoid Paris, we got lost and it upset our schedule. Avoid cycling on motorways which are not on your out of date maps. Otherwise it was a great experience. Enjoy

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

I cycled to Annecy last year (in May) from the North of England. I wrote some thoughts here after the trip:

http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=588117

Route wise, La Havre, Chartres, Bourges, Moulins, Macon were the main places were passed through.

However, I wouldn't fancy it with any winter kit strapped to my bike. I would also take more kit for the journey if doing it in October. From a pure cost point of view, I would hazard a guess flying would be a lot cheaper. However, as they say, it is all about the journey.

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

Yes, carrying kit is going to be your problem unless you go lightweight and get someone to courier the stuff out once you've got an address. You can use Google Maps to get you there, a cycling buddy of mine used it to get him from Blackburn to St Ives for a wedding and it worked well, taking him down some lovely routes.

On Chamonix, I would say you are heading for the most expensive honey-pot in the French Alps. There will be lots of competition for bar jobs, chalet jobs etc. If I was you I would carry on up the valley to Argentiere, which is at the foot of the Grands Montets and is where serious ski bums and tourers hang out - it is probably also slightly cheaper than Chamonix and is certainly nicer and quieter.

Depending on funds I think the best advice would be to get out there and start networking; buy drinks for people and ask questions and you'll soon get to hear about new season jobs going. Your manner and personality will matter much more than your CV so you need to get your face in front of bar and chalet owners and create an impression of trustworthiness and the ability to work hard without whining or insisting on your rights. Can you drive? I managed an entire season as a chalet "gofer" in Megeve, collecting clients from the airport and taking them skiing in the afternoons, all on full board and expenses but no wage.

In reply to Rigid Raider:


Oh you naughty boy, did you manage to avoid arrest

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

I cycled back to Chamonix last autumn. You can pick up the canal de la Marne and use the cycle way for a few days, info here:
http://www.french-waterways.com/waterways/marne-saone.html

I also used the cycle tour specific couch surfing website warmshowers.com which was amazing- met some incredibly welcoming people and it was invaluable being able to wash and dry everything. The journey is largely flat until the Jura (which you can avoid) however cycling over the Jura was magic and the descent into Nyon was amazing. Plan food carefully- supermarkets are shut on Sundays and if you need food in Switzerland you'll need Swiss francs, better to push on through into France. It's a day from Geneva to Chamonix with the sting in the tail of cycling up through Servoz and Vaudagne- you must go this way and not on the autoroute viaduct.

Goretex socks were great. It was cold at night camping in the Jura and when cycling through there in the shade.

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

Hey mate. I cycled from London to Cannes via Geneva last month. I have the route saved on Strava if you'd like a look?

Day1
https://www.strava.com/routes/3072929
Day2
https://www.strava.com/routes/3071560
Day3
https://www.strava.com/routes/3072985
Day4
https://www.strava.com/routes/3056151
Day5
https://www.strava.com/routes/3073010

It's a bit of a detour but I'd recommend going up Col D'Aravis on the way to Chamonix too. Great introduction to the world of cols!

If you're interested in what setup / gear I had, give me a PM.

I'm jealous. Sounds like you have an awesome few months coming up!

In reply to Dark-Cloud:


Ha ha this was waaaay back in 1987 before the French got all uppitty about foreigners taking their jobs.

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

Thank you for all the advice! I think I'll go for a combination of bivvying and warmshowers.com. For kit transport I think I should be alright with front and back panniers if I pack super light, but might take a trailer (like one of the child carrying ones). How do trailers compare with panniers for carrying kit?
Cheers
Ben

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

I wouldn't. A wide trailer destroys the best attribute of a bicycle, which is its narrow nimble size. Panniers work fine if they are solidly attached to the rack and can't swing around or even drop off.

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

I'd seriously consider getting a box/bag of kit posted out there. I bet its cheaper than you think (so long as you can think of somewhere to send it to!) and would let you cycle light.

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

Map/route finding: maps.me is a free online app that has all the functions of Google maps and a bit more. Worth downloading it. Have fun

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

I took a fairly direct route from Dunkirk to Annecy. Pretty much followed the Belgian border then turned south through the Jura. Would have probably been a bit more leisurely to head a bit further east first though (to Strasbourg).

Didn't use my paper maps once, maps.me app and a dynamo hub got me the whole way.

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

Cycled down to Gap this summer.... Would imagine with additional winter kit that your panniers will be bulging. I think a narrowish trailer would give you more options, and take strain off wheels as well.

I took the ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe, which worked well because the cycling to and from both ports is quite pleasant!

Yeah, maps.me are really good, as is warm showers! Don't be afraid of a short train journey.

In reply to yourbiketravel:

Are you getting much business like this?

In reply to MysteriousCeorl:

Btw, a single wheeled cargo trailer like this would be much better for a long journey than a kids seat type:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Adventure-CT1-Folding-Cargo-Trailer_25616.htm?sku=5...
Not used one myself, but had a mate who swore by his - strong, sturdy and didn't make the riding awkward. I've got a kids 2 seat trailer, good for what it's for, but seriously wouldn't use it for your kind of trip. Like others above, I think I'd get the winter gear sent out once you were settled. But good luck, sounds awesome.

Another vote here for single wheeled trailer.

Toured thousands of miles with one - I use a very old "Bob Coz" no longer available, it's the one with the hard box, but more modern ones are such as the "Bob Yak" which is a great bit of kit.

Note - avoid the Weber Monoporter - looks like the bees knees, but I had one snap in half on me in a busy junction in Milan - not a fun experience getting me, two bits of trailer and all my kit off the road!!

In reply to TimSter:

Yes, the bob yak, that's what he had. Couldn't remember the brand. One I linked to looks the same but cheaper, maybe for a reason?

In reply to Just Another Dave:

I know nothing about the other brands, i do however know I trust the Bob brand, and all other seem to be copies of the bob yak these days - other than this one, which i always though looked interesting.

http://www.extrawheel.com/en/3/bicycle_trailer/