Published by Lyn on 13 June 2014
John emailed to ask about transport options from Grenoble to Bourg d'Oisans for cycling Alpe d'Huez and other cols.
Bourg d'Oisans tucked away in the valley and pictured from Alpe d'Huez.
Photo: Pretre
Hi
Your information thus far as been a real help.
Me and a friend are cycling a few cols around August time. We are leaving London by train to Grenoble with bikes with a journey time of 8 hours.
We were looking to climb Alp d'Huez the day we arrive.
Is there any transport options from Grenoble to get us to Bourg d'Oisans with our bikes to save on time as I've read the road from Grenoble isn't the best?
Many thanks for your advice in advance,
John
Lyn wrote:
Hi John,
Thanks for using the site - I'm glad you've found it useful.
I've just double checked with some guys on the ground and the local bus service is reliable and regular.
Paul Smith, who runs the bike-friendly Maison de la Republique, says the bus is an easy option: "Just put the bikes on the bus with the luggage – no problem."
You can see the timetables here and search for days/times that suit your arrival:
Line 3000
Line 3020
Line 3030
Buses leave Grenoble station - see map here.
Andy and Gill at Le Chateau d'Oz has emailed me this:
"Hi Lyn
We see you already have the bus info. The other option is to book a taxi, which would cost about €100. Taxi Set-Marc is good; contact them on +33 (0)6 87 41 99 96 (both André and Marie-Clare speak English) or via the website.
If John does decide to cycle, the route from the Gare de Grenoble to Le Bourg d’Oisans is mainly on the main road; although it’s busy with traffic, everyone is used to cycles and they generally leave them plenty of space.
The other advice we would give is that it is best to cycle the Alpe d’Huez bends in the morning. As the day heats up (and today it is 33C), the south-facing rocks at the foot of the bends get very hot, and the steepest, lower bends are baking. Cycling in the morning is generally the best strategy, whichever col you are climbing.
We hope this helps,
Andy and Gill."
For accommodation options, see our bike-friendly French Alps accommodation page, or browse the map below.
There is more information here on cycling in Bourg d'Oisans the area, plus this article on cycling Alpe d'Huez. There is a lot more info in our Rhone-Alpes section.
I hope that helps - if you need any more help, please just shout.
I will post this Q&A on the blog in case it hels others as well.
Cheers
Lyn.
John wrote back with the following questions:
What time does it get dark mid-August around Alpe d'Auez as I'm looking to ride it the evening I arrive?
Next day ride Glandon, Croix de Fer, and Telegraph, and stay in Valloire (any accommodation advice would be appretiated as not looked into it yet).
Following day: Ride Galibier, Briançon, Iziord and back into Briançon then TGV to Nice for a week's holiday.
Any advice or things you would change would be most appreciated. Sorry for so many questions – thanks!
Lyn wrote back:
Hi John,
For Valloire, consider staying at Auberge Edelweiss Bike & Ski Hotel - tell the guys I sent you. It's a specialist bike hotel.
Gill from Chateau d'Oz has also written back to me via Facebook.
"In answer to John: What time does it get dark mid-August around Alpe d'Auez as I'm looking to ride it the evening I arrive? Depends on date, but about 8.30pm. See here.
The other rides mentioned: yes it's all possible as long as he is super fit as the altitude and heat will be very wearing in August."
Hope that helps,
Lyn.