My first mountain bike trip

I discovered mountain biking in 2001 during middle school. I was fascinated by people of my age climbing wooden pallets or jumping on their rear wheel. It has soon became a part of me I can’t get rid of.

In 2014 I realised one of my life’s biggest dream: visiting a country on a bicycle. I travelled on a mountain bike the South island of New Zealand during two months. I knocked on people’s door night after night, shared my adventures and trips to my hosts trading my stories to know where to go the following day. This 2100km bikepacking loop was an emotional roller coaster but the memories I made are still burning in my guts. I lived this experience again in Tasmania one month later.

Grande Traversée du Massif Central: a 1400km mountain bike trip

The GTMC is the longuest moutain (E)-bike route in  France. The first track goes back to 1995 between Clermont-Ferrand and Sète. SInce 2018, there is not less than five regional natural parcs and famous sites linked by this 1400km (E)-MTB itinerary from Morvan to the Mediterranean sea. I still have a lot to explore though, hopefully with you.

My first experience of the Grande Traversée du Massif Central goes back to March 26th, 2021. With a friend we travelled from Charroux (near Vichy) to Montpellier. During this 13 days electric mountain biking trip, France went into a third lockdown making if trickier to find electricity and hosts during our 900 km e-MTB tour. Nevertheless, we managed to find electric sockets and made it to the Mediterranean Sea riding between 50 to 90km per day!

What I liked the most about this multi-day adventure: I felt really remote and barely crossed any other humans!

Best time of the year to do the GTMC on a mountain bike: between June to October.
Instead of doing this MTB trip in one go (sitting too many days on the saddle is always painful) , I suggest you to do it 3 to 4 days at the time. Using connection with the train stations. Here is an insight:

httpv://youtu.be/Y8CO8zOohUI

Day one – 70 km: Clermont-Ferrand to Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise

• Driving to Clermont-Ferrand near the train station.
• Riding our (E)-Bikes across Clermont-Ferrand and Chamalières to reach the GTMC itinerary.
• Following the route to Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise.

Day two – 80 km: Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise to Murat

• Following the GTMC new and old itineraries from Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise to Murat. Depending weather conditions, possibility to reach Super-Besse first.
• Cleaning our e-bikes
• Spending the evening in Murat

Day three – Train transfert: Murat to Clermont-Ferrand

• Exploring Murat in the morning after breakfast
• Taking the train (TER) back to Clermont-Ferrand
• Driving /connecting back home

The Grande Traversée du Jura takes place in North – Northeast of Geneva lake, Western Europe’s largest lake. Jura mountain range is famous for its cross country ski tracks, its highest peak seating at 1720m (Crêt des Neiges). It’s the coolest place in France/Switzerland for two reasons: its smooth relief within the range traps the cold during clear nights and Geneva lake absorbs heat. A freezing -41,8°C was recorded in Switzerland at La Brévine on January 12th 1987!

The GTJ is 420km long. Don’t expect a lot of technicality along it however because it’s mostly made of limestone, there are some steep climbs/downs for several hundred meters and it’s slippery when wet. With an average of 70 km per day this route can be achieved in seven days (incl. one day devoted to transport). I haven’t done it yet but here is how I want to organise it in one week (depending on B&B availabilities, the itinerary might change):

Day 1: Chamonix to Montbéliard

• Driving from Chamonix to Ambérieu-en-Bugey (2h)
• Taking the train (TER) to Montbéliard (4h)
• Spending the night in Montbéliard

Day 2 – 76 km: Montbéliard to Goumois
Day 3 – 81 km: Goumois to Pontarlier
Day 4 – 70 km: Pontarlier to Bellefontaine
Day 5 – 78 km: Bellefontaine to Saint-Gemain-de-Joux
Day 6 – 75 km: Saint-Germain to Hauteville

Day 7: Hauteville to Ambérieu

• 40 km from Hauteville to Culoz
• Taking the train from Culoz to Ambérieu (1h)
• Driving back from Ambérieu to Chamonix (2h)

Chamonix-Annecy: Escaping the crowd between these two towns

Here is a route that promises wonderment: from the highest western Europe peaks overhanging Chamonix to the “Venise of the Alps” Annecy. Although exceptionals, these two towns are really crowded during holiday periods making them oppressive. Through this journey we will go across 4 different mountain ranges: Mont Blanc, Beaufortain, Aravis and Bornes. I don’t think we will see many people around: GREAT! This rollercoaster of singletracks will take us to the remote village of La Giettaz where we gonna stay overnight. The next day will be really remote with some challenges along the way before ending our trip downhill towards Annecy and its pristine lake.

Day one – 60 km: Saint-Gervais-les-Bains to La Giettaz
Day two – 60 km: La Giettaz to Annecy – Taking the train back to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains

My (E)-bikepacking philosophy

I don’t want to use assistance or transfert during my mountain (E)-bike tours for the ten following reasons:

• It is more ecological and responsible not using any making our carbon footprint smaller
• My company is called Ambition Outdoor, so our adventure has to be a little engaged
• It is cheating if we don’t carry our equipment ourselves (we can find food along the way)
• If it’s too easy/accessible, the satisfaction won’t be as strong as it should be
• We don’t ride bikes the same way between a day trip on known trails and a bikepacking trip on unknown trails
• If the surrounding trails are worth it, we can spend one more day and leave our equipment at the lodge
• Bikes are super reliable as long as they are neatly serviced
• It adds some challenge to our trip: we must be careful and take good care of our equipment
• I’m a bike mechanic and I can solve most problem with cable ties and tape!
• Less logistic, more flexibility and a cheaper cost at the end

There is no better ad than a video

Mountain biking is a fast-action sport that is best showcased on video. This playlist gives you an insight into what we can do together in they valleys and mountains in Mont Blanc area. Whether you’re a beginner or a skilled mountain biker, my expertise will make you want to come back again and again!

What you should take for this mountain biking tour

For your own comfort, please follow these recommendations to fully enjoy our guided mountain biking tour.

Sport Spirit

(E)-Bike rental in Les Houches & St Gervais – Le Fayet

Sport Spirit  is located in Le Fayet making it ideal if you stay between Sallanches – Passy or Saint Gervais village. This bike shop works with the brands Moustache, Lapierre and Pivot.

Legend CHX

The widest bicycle choice in the valley of Chamonix

With more than 80 bikes available for rental Legend CHX offers the most important choice of bicycles around Chamonix either muscular or electric, hardtail or dual suspensions. They also provide solutions for kids and babies. Good point: Helmets, body protections and repair kit are included for free with your bike rental.

To book your bicycles with Legend CHX, the best way is to visit their website and select the bike you want to rent. The next page will show you a form for this specific bike: price rates, your dates, rider height, pedals and brakes preferences. If you want different bicycles, specify the model and your preferences for each rider in the “comments” area.

Legend CHX is open everyday, however the shop closes between 12:30 and 03:00pm (or 02:00pm in high summer season).

Notes

• In high season, I advise you to book at least two weeks in advance if you want e-bikes or enduro bikes.
• Booking will only be completed once you’d paid the 20% deposit for your rental.
• Make sure you have a sufficient balance on your account for safety deposit (up to 1500€/bike)
• All booking starts between 9:00 and 10:00 am
• You cannot park your car on Legend’s carpark to go shopping somewhere else

Alpes Aventures

(E)-bike rental shop in Megève – Praz-sur-Arly

Alpes Aventures is a rental shop in Megève helped by a bigger group called Dvélos. They have around 40 muscular and electric bikes to rent. Alpes Aventures’ website is well designed to find any type of informations quickly.

Opening hours change during the period of the year. It’s better to check on Google.

What you should wear for this (E)-Mtbiking class

Protections and Repair kit can be provided with your rental (Helmet, gloves, knee pads, spare tube, patches and pump).