Six Secrets for Cycling In the Alps - in winter
By Will • Nov 27th, 2008 • Category: Cycling, Snow
The high Alps passes won’t open for another 6 or 7 months (!) and the snow has now even arrived down low. But winter doesn’t mean that one can’t continue to cycle uphill.
My Top Six Secrets for Cycling In the Alps - in winter:
#1 Bring a Sense of Humour
If being frozen solid, miles from home, knee deep in snow with a flat tire doesn’t make you laugh …. perhaps a basement trainer is best for you.
Super long descents in winter conditions while being soaked in sweat from the climb is nothing like just cycing around in the cold. It can be scary, painful, awful. Be warned!
#2 Cycle where the skiers are.
Sure Galibier and most of the high Alps are completely inaccessible.
But, roads leading to ski stations get ploughed all winter. So, for example near Geneva, while the famous Col de la Colombiere (1618 metres) and Col de Joux Plane (1691 metres) will be closed until June 2009 - in between these two passes, the much higher Col de Pierre Carrée (1844 metres) is open all year - as it leads to Flaine ski station.
Other quiet nearby climbs leading to skiing (or X-Country skiing): Col des Glières, Col de la Croix Fry, Col des Saisies, Col de la Faucille, Col de Cuvéry, etc.
And yes, Alpe d’Huez is a ski station!
#3 Leave the Road Bike in the Garage
Even when roads are clear and relatively dry, there will often be lots of little ice patches. Descending long climbs on a road bike is crazy.
Yes, I know the above snow wall photo in #2 is with a road bike. But I am smarter than last year. 
#4 Dress like it’s Antarctica
No matter how cold it is, a long climb will keep you warm and soaked from sweat. But descending sweaty and even warmly dressed is near suicidal.
The most important places to overdress is the hands and feet which get very cold very quickly on descents.
My wardrobe
- Headgear: Light beanie for ascent. Balaclava for the descent
- Torso: 3 layers for ascent. Five for the descent (spares in a backpack).
- Gloves: Insulated gloves are not enough …. honestly. Wear a second light pair underneath.
- Legs: Guys wear extra shorts under insulated pants to protect that other valuable extremity (Martin has a good story on this one )
- Footwear: Light socks under ski socks. Gortex shoes and Booties over top.
#5 Be Careful!
You do not want to hurt yourself in cold conditions. Always wear a helmet on descents. Bring a phone and better yet, bring a friend. If a descent is too icy, walk.
Watch the weather forecast closely. You do not want to be in the wrong place during a snow storm. I also watch the wind forecast very closely as heavy wind up high is just not worth riding in.
But when the weather is still and sunny, it’s time to ride.
#6 Bring your Camera
There is nothing more beautiful than being in the mountains on a sunny day in the winter.
If All Else Fails Go To Australia!
While I try and convince myself (and you) that there is no off-season, one of my regular cycling partners isn’t buying it. Barry is Busy Biking in Balmy Brisbane, Australia.
Barry doesn’t like the cold …. Coward!
Psssst - the real secret to winter climbing? Convince someone with a car to meet you at the top!
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Will is Happiest while cycling uphill. More enthusiastic than talented, his 2009 Challenge is to cycle a 100 Cols (mountain passes) and lose a couple of pounds.
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I would agree with your friend Barry. There is definitely an off-season in Brisbane. In winter it gets to chilly 5C (at night!). Temperature is relative.
The photo of your bike leaning against the snow wall is definitely worth “Photo of the week”. Love it!
Gday Will,
your post sent a shiver down my spine just reading it!
All I’m doing is joining the hordes of Euros already down here. I even spotted a Gruyere jersey the other day!
Yours, bathed in sweat, sans Snicker bar wrapper
Barry
These are good tips. I learned about freezing on the descent of a local mountain last year, even though it rarely snows in SoCal.
Tip#7 Bring plastic SHOPPING BAGS. For more info please check “Happy feet and Col des Glières”