Paris to Geneva or Paris to Milan ?? 2016

[Dunk]

Hi everyone I'm just new on here tonight and after some advice please. I have recently completed a London to Paris with a good mate of mine and we loved it that much we are already starting to plan our next trip, my mate wants to do Paris to Geneva but I would like to push that extra 200 miles and make Milan so just wondering if anyone has done a similar route on here please ?
I have looked on Google earth and it looks as though many of the roads from Geneva to Chamonix is in the valley's and that looks to carry on to Aosta, we know it will not be a walk in the park, if it was then everyone would be doing it hey !!! hopefully we can get some good talking points going and advice, I think we will be having a back up van which will stop every 20 miles or so to top up water bottles and gels etc which is what we did on our L2P ride at the end of May and we found this worked well for us although I still love the idea of my panniers :-)
Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated, we both are riding road bikes and will be looking at 100 miles per day but dependant on climbs etc.

Regards,
Duncan

 

[jay clock]

100 miles a day in the mountains sounds like a lot. When touring (with panniers) I average about 60 miles with 50 on a very hilly day and 80 on a flatter day

 

[Dunk]

Yes we were thinking 100 miles a day either side of the Alps and as you say around 60 a day when/if in the Alps. I have been trying to find out what the accents are like but no joy as of yet.

 

[jay clock]

Just looked at the map and the Gneva Nice route looks a lot more attractive to me

 

[andym]

OK - to start with the bad news. the roads from Genève to Chamonix may be OK, but after that you need to take the Mont Blanc tunnel which is a motorway tunnel. (Although if you have a backup van you could put the bikes in the van).

My top tip would be to look at the Swiss N3 route that goes to Bellinzona and Locarno (if you're going via Genève you'll need to take the N1 as well). From Locarno you need to go through Ascona (avoiding the tunnel where bikes aren't allowed) then down the eastern shore of the Lago Maggiore to Verbania. Take the ferry across lake and then go down the western shore (where the road is a lot quieter) to Sesto Calende. From Sesto Calende there's a cycleway that takes you along the Naviglio Grande waterway into the heart of Milano. There is another option for getting to Milano via Chiasso, but I think this suggestion is probably better.

More information on my site including:

http://italy-cycling-guide.info/cycleways-cycle-routes/rivers/ticino-cycleway/

For cycle routes in Switzerland the site to look at is:

http://www.veloland.ch/en/veloland.html

Alternatively, you might consider Torino as your stopping point (a very nice, bike-friendly city). The best crossing points are Montgenèvre and the Col du Grand St Bernard - then follow the Val di Susa cycleway (again more info on my site).

Oh and for route planning you might find it useful to check out the maps on on viamichelin.com.

If the total distance is too far why not take a train further south from Paris and cut out the dull bits? There are (last time I looked) bike-friendly trains to the Bourgogne from the Paris Bercy station.

 

[jay clock]

Sorry I misread. Personally I would stick to France. Switzerland is murderously pricey (but great to cycle in) and Italy is not as cycle friendly.

So Paris Nice?

 

[andym]

I've just realised that I've got the names of the passes muddled up (that'll teach me to be too lazy to check).

If you are in Chamonix you can go to Martigny and go to Italy by the Col du Grand St Bernard. The pass I was thinking of is the Col du Mont Cenis which leads to the town of Susa in the Val di Susa..

D'Oh! Sorry.

 

[briantrumpet]

I've just realised that I've got the names of the passes muddled up (that'll teach me to be too lazy to check).

If you are in Chamonix you can go to Martigny and go to Italy by the Col du Grand St Bernard. The pass I was thinking of is the Col du Mont Cenis which leads to the town of Susa in the Val di Susa..

D'Oh! Sorry.

Ah, I'm glad you've cleared that up... I've done both Chamonix > Martigny (regretting not being able at that time to go on to Italy over the Col de GB) and Mont Cenis (absolutely stunning), and your post left me wondering about my sense of direction, or whether I was going senile. I'd normally bow to your superior knowledge.

 

[Haitch]

And, erm, it's down the western shore of Lake Maggiore to Verbania and then cross the lake to go down the eastern shore to Sesto Calende.

 

[Dunk]

Guys,
many many thanks for that info. I am rather new to this type of cycling with only having done the London to Paris this year but what me and my mate enjoyed was the fact of just us two riding and meeting up with the support van every 25-30 miles to top up with fluids and gels etc. I am quite use to riding alone as I have done many trips to Europe when I had my motorbike and enjoy being able to just stop when I want and take in the scenery and nothing like laying on the side of the road looking out over the mountains :-)

I now have to try and convince my mate to cycle to Italy as he is determined just to cycle to Geneva but from what I can gauge on the map south of Paris down to Lyon is faily flat and although nice, it wouldn't be as stunning as the Alps and lakes etc.

 

[andym]

Ah, I'm glad you've cleared that up... I've done both Chamonix > Martigny (regretting not being able at that time to go on to Italy over the Col de GB) and Mont Cenis (absolutely stunning), and your post left me wondering about my sense of direction, or whether I was going senile. I'd normally bow to your superior knowledge.

Actually it's me who's starting to wonder if I'm losing it - see Alan H's post.

Alan - thanks for spotting that.

 

[Haitch]

If you do cycle down the western shore of Maggiore (which is cheaper and less of a faff than the eastern side), go to the café on the Italian side just as you cross the border and appreciate the stunning view out of the toilet window.

 

[robgul]

If you want a fully supported ride then take a look at www.ride25.com - separate legs from Paris to Geneva to Milan to Rome and a great experience

(Please don't post criticism of costs etc ... everyone has different views and desires .... some want top quality, others want to sleep in bus shelters!! )

Rob

 

[obondavalli]

My father and i are planning to do Milan - Paris by bike in 2017, wondering if anybody has completed this route and can give us some advise. Maybe if Dunk did this route we appreciate if you can share with us.