Thinking of an early June trip to RDGA and wanted some feedback.
I know this is a bit early, some passes might not be open, and there is still a risk they could close at any time (as they can in July, August and September) I can plan several options for each day and having ridden the route twice I am not bothered about riding all of the passes.
I am mainly interested in the middle section - but this also has most of the higher passes. I have read that the Galibier, Izoard and Bonette are normally closed until late June, is this pretty much guaranteed or just a rough estimate?
Also what other interesting options skirt around these passes, for example could I take the Champs & Allos / Cayolle / Lombard & Larche instead of La Bonette or are all three alternate options likely to be closed?
The Izoard is about 500m lower than the Bonette so is this far more likely to be open? the only alternative is main roads from what I can see.
The Galibier also lacks any really interesting alternate routes which means main roads and then Col du Glandon - assuming these lower (circa 2000m) passes will all be open - that is pretty much my assumption....
...2300m+ unlikely to be open
2000 - 2300m Probably open
<2000m Almost certainly open
Not looking for comments such as "why not go later", I just want a better idea of what to expect, for all the possible negatives there will be the chance to ride through large snow walls, discover new routes and see the Alps in a very different way so I am happy to take an educated gamble - just need educating
I know this is a bit early, some passes might not be open, and there is still a risk they could close at any time (as they can in July, August and September) I can plan several options for each day and having ridden the route twice I am not bothered about riding all of the passes.
I am mainly interested in the middle section - but this also has most of the higher passes. I have read that the Galibier, Izoard and Bonette are normally closed until late June, is this pretty much guaranteed or just a rough estimate?
Also what other interesting options skirt around these passes, for example could I take the Champs & Allos / Cayolle / Lombard & Larche instead of La Bonette or are all three alternate options likely to be closed?
The Izoard is about 500m lower than the Bonette so is this far more likely to be open? the only alternative is main roads from what I can see.
The Galibier also lacks any really interesting alternate routes which means main roads and then Col du Glandon - assuming these lower (circa 2000m) passes will all be open - that is pretty much my assumption....
...2300m+ unlikely to be open
2000 - 2300m Probably open
<2000m Almost certainly open
Not looking for comments such as "why not go later", I just want a better idea of what to expect, for all the possible negatives there will be the chance to ride through large snow walls, discover new routes and see the Alps in a very different way so I am happy to take an educated gamble - just need educating