Alpine Break

This ride has one of the best, if not the best, singletrack descents that I have ever ridden. Starting near St Crepin the first section of climb on road can be avoided by running a two car shuffle.

On arriving at the small hamlet of Moussiere at 1850m we were already in need of some refreshment.

From here the route climbs up more 4×4 track into the Bois Noir on the north side of the Crete des Crouses, the north facing section in the trees was pleasantly cool after the initial climb in the blazing sun. It then steepened up for a bit before levelling off at the Col du Lauzet where there is a small lake at 2205m.

After passing the lake the climbing gets a bit more technical with some steep rocky sections.

And some snow to negotiate

After the bits of snow there was some more just ride-able singletrack before a 10 minute carry to the 2352m Col de Moussiere.

From the col there was a 1500m descent (Britain’s highest mountain is only 1344m) of the most amazing flowing singletrack descent down through the meadows of Les Crousas and then into the woods of Bois Durat which eventually spits you back out at your waiting car. I cant emphasise enough just how amazing this descent was we kept thinking that there couldn’t possibly be more and that 4×4 track was going to turn up at any minute, but it didn’t, it just went on and on.

The one thing about great descents is that you just don’t want to stop so photos are rare.

Apart from when you stop to fix punctures. The little red circle is our place in Guillestre.

Here is a map of the ride

download it to view in Google Earth

Filed under: Photo on May 23rd, 2007