RDGA.
- Thread starter Kav
- Start date
I returned that way from Mugello in 2018 and the part north of Briancon was still closed due to snow, that was the first week in June. I would say anything after mid June, but it will probably get wet in September.
June can be impressive as the peaks will have the snow on them, but you might get a fresh load dumped on the mountain pass closing it for a couple of days. June / July can have the TdF closing roads for the race, though afterwards the surface should be good.
The southern part I'd say is great in September, away from the heat of August, which can trigger off TdF stage stopping style thunderstorms, but the chance of snow, except on the mountain tops is unlikely.
The southern part I'd say is great in September, away from the heat of August, which can trigger off TdF stage stopping style thunderstorms, but the chance of snow, except on the mountain tops is unlikely.
I think your spot on, I have done it late June, Early July, Early August and Late August / early september.
Weather can still do anything at any time, in theory snow more likely in June than July / August, but late June / Early July is great, all passes should be open, big snow banks where the sun never reaches and still blankets of snow across large areas on the highest passes - stunning.
Also the days are long, sun high and not in your eyes (unless your riding very early / late) fairly quiet as out of the main Euro-Holiday season, many Hotels only open for 4-6 weeks between July and the end of August, but still plenty of choice and not hard to just find a Hotel each evening on the go if that's your bag.
I like to stop at Barcelonnette for 3-4 nghts as so many looping rides using it as a base, and Bourg St Maurice are for the loop around Mont Blanc (Try Hotel Belvedere in Seez or Hotel L'Autantic in Bourg)
Ride outs here:
https://www.myrouteapp.com/profile/routes/485#981738/name/asc
RDGA Here:
https://www.myrouteapp.com/route/open/836952
If pushed for time I would drop the last few passes furthest south, and maybe the last couple towards the top, this is what I think are the essential bits:
https://www.myrouteapp.com/route/open/1034723
Weather can still do anything at any time, in theory snow more likely in June than July / August, but late June / Early July is great, all passes should be open, big snow banks where the sun never reaches and still blankets of snow across large areas on the highest passes - stunning.
Also the days are long, sun high and not in your eyes (unless your riding very early / late) fairly quiet as out of the main Euro-Holiday season, many Hotels only open for 4-6 weeks between July and the end of August, but still plenty of choice and not hard to just find a Hotel each evening on the go if that's your bag.
I like to stop at Barcelonnette for 3-4 nghts as so many looping rides using it as a base, and Bourg St Maurice are for the loop around Mont Blanc (Try Hotel Belvedere in Seez or Hotel L'Autantic in Bourg)
Ride outs here:
https://www.myrouteapp.com/profile/routes/485#981738/name/asc
RDGA Here:
https://www.myrouteapp.com/route/open/836952
If pushed for time I would drop the last few passes furthest south, and maybe the last couple towards the top, this is what I think are the essential bits:
https://www.myrouteapp.com/route/open/1034723
Having done it many times I would say mid June or late September.
1st June Col de L’Iseran was still closed by snow . 2 weeks later it was open . So mid-late June best
Agree with above, Col de Galibier usually late June before it's open..
They never open it before the second week of June.
Rode most of it in sept 2011 I remember being on the top of the Bonnette on the 21st as it's my birthday, ice on the roads at the top as there was early morning on the col du lyseran. It was glorious sunshine though and lovely compared with mid summer with all the cyclists and camper cans. A lot of the hotels and campsites were already shut. I think a couple of weeks earlier would have been perfect.
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