3 days from 415 € per participant
Guaranteed departure from 5 people
- Discover the e-bike universe for beginners, with no stress nor risk: this course is a must to gain confidence in order to have more fun and feel at ease !
- Discover splendid valleys
- Varied trails in an awesome setting
- Cosy and comfy Italian gîte at the heart of nature in a double room
- Fun guaranteed !
How about a long week-end discovering e-mountain biking, Piedmont culture and its gastronomy ? Are you a beginner eager to discover mountain biking or e-mountain biking ? You feel at ease on your bike saddle and wish to gain confidence and and improve your skills ? Then, just go for it !
Electric powered bikes does not imply Sunday afternoon stroll-like outings beside the canal. Here, in the beautiful Italian mountains, you'll have fun and learn with a really cool and professional instructor. Thanks to the electric assistance, climbs turn out to be easy going and you'll hardly notice you're climbing :) Tracks and trails are easy going too, no worries, the most difficult task this week-end will be to finish off your plate at dinner time !
3 full days to discover the Italian Piedmont on an e-bike, Italian hospitality and gastronomy, peaceful surroundings with a very moderate effort are a perfect combo. It's just beyond our background, with our cousins on the other side of the valley, and we just love 'em !
Day 1 - Welcome to the Vallée Etroite
We meet up either at the train station in Briançon at 8:15 am or in Oulx-Cesana (TGV) at 9 am and set off in our minibus. You're wearing your cycling outfit.
Today is the chance to slowly get acclimatised in the Valley Etroite, strange but this part of the country is French but only accessible via Italy ! We set off for a 9 km to the Maison des Chamois (lcated at approx 2000 m high up) at the top of the valley where you're very likely to be overwhelmed by the greenness, freshness and beauty.
The 600 m climb is progressive among superb colourful landscape. This ride will enable you to get familiar with your e-bike and it's a chance the go over the basics.
After a lunch break, we descend via the same itinerary, and according everyone's fancies we can continue to the famous Col de l'Echelle 1762 m (famous for us at least !). Then we retrieve our comfy accomodation.
Ascent/Descent: + 600 m/- 600m
Distance: 20 km
Meals included: dinner
Accommodation included: gîte
Day 2 - A coffee and a digestive in Mautino hut ?
We haven't come here to suck ice cubes !
Today we do a nice loop leaving Bousson village (1450 m). We head up a large track with hairpins in the forest up to the Begino pass (2300 m) before descending to the little Nero lake and the Mautino hit. "Caffè, cappucino, birra, vino...", time for a break on a sunny terrace with a magnificent view over the Susa valley. An exciting descent follow where you'll be able to improve your downhill skills !
Ascent/descent: + 900 m / - 900 m
Distance: 30 km
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included: gîte
Day 3 - Molto tranquillo in Val Troncea
Another valley, another atmosphere: from Pattemouche village we slowly climb up on a road then a track to the Mey sheepfold (2047 m), among ruins, rivers, streams and alpine pasture huts, it's a feast for the eyes !
Heading back downhill, at the Laval hut, 3 options:
#enjoy a lunch/ cup of coffee and a pastry, why not ?
#ride to Clot della Soma (2326 m), fantastic scenery reward
#both with the entire group
Confinement just seems so far away now, freedom !
Unfortunately it's time to go back home after three awesome days of e-mountain biking, shuttle back to Briançon or Oulx.
Ascent/descent: + 450 m to + 1000 m / - 450 m to - 1000 m
Distance: 20-30 km
Meals included: breakfast
Please note this is an example of an introductory e-mountain biking course in the Italian Piedmont. The guide may adjust certain itineraries according to weather conditions, cable cars and mountain hut accessibilty as well as participants' abilities. We kindly ask you to respect such decision.
In case practices and customs defined by the local mountain biking or other authorities change, estimating the reasonable number of clients per guide, for safety reasons, Azimut respects these, even last minute, decisions and recommendations. Such cases are rare and mostly related to exceptional conditions in the mountains. Therefore some compensation may be requested from your side due to less participants per guide.
Please wear your cycling clothes on day 1.
We always do our best, but can't guarantee the exact time of arrival at the train station (due to traffic or weather conditions). Therefore we strongly recommend you to buy train tickets that can easily be modified. If you're travelling by car, we'll meet you at one of the indicated meeting points, or at one of the drop off points where you'll be able to leave your car for the entire trip.
Access
Make sure the train you plan to catch welcomes mountain bikes.
Car park
Public parking free of charge can be found in Briançon and Oulx (both unattended).
Skill level *
Open to all, beginners or not, wishing to discover enduro or all mountain biking, that have only occasionally done all mountain biking or e-mountain biking. You will be taught basic techniques for down and uphill riding on relatively easy trails to enable to check out the next stage, level 2 !
Stamina required *
Open to mountain bikers and/or for people who regularly do [outdoor] exercise, keep fit and wish to discover mountain biking in a relaxed, progressive and easy way. We will mainly ride on 4 x 4 tracks. You should be ready for approx. + 800 m up to + 1200 m uphill per day. No stress, electric assistance makes it surprisingly easier than it sounds !
5 to 12 participants
Azimut qualified mountain bike instructor & guide.
All our mountain bike guides are certified instructors. We choose them for their sympathy, their teaching and organisational skills. We stay tuned in, work hands in hands, and make sure their working conditions are the best.
Meet our guides and instructors just around the corner
Bring a small day pack large enough (for more detailed advice see gear section) to carry your personal belongings for the day such as (extra) layers, a few snacks, your picnic and a repair kit. All other personal gear not needed for the day will be transferred to our accommodation.
None on this trip.
The price includes:
- Trip arrangements & organisation upon arrival
- Minibus transfers from/to one of the indicated meeting points to the departure of the trip
- Luggage transfers with our minibus and private driver
- Accomodation on half-board basis in a comfortable gîte in a double room
- Home-made picnics
- Azimut welcome pack
The price does not include:
- Your transportation to/from the meeting point
- Gear rental if required
- Personal insurance
- Drinks (including those with meals at the hotel) and personal extras
- Any other expenses not mentioned under the above section “the price includes”
A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 35 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance that is due latest 30 days prior to departure.
We strongly recommend you to be properly insured for the chosen activity. You should be covered for medical expenses, personal accident & liabilité, third party risks and rescue (helicopter), as well as trip cancellation or curtailment.
Repatriation and research insurance are mandatory when booking a trip with Azimut. We have a full range of insurances with our partner, on offer to suit the trip you select and the risks that it may incur (beware, such insurance only covers European citizens).
Tipping is no obligation. However participants usually hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.
Azimut's minibuses are used throughout the trip. Not only does this make the trip easier, but it also makes it more pleasant and less binding: we can chat, take a nap and listen to our own music. If luggage transfers are necessary, you have the possibility to use the transfer if you're tired and for any other reason.
Food & Accomodation during bike trips
Half board in cosy gîte-hotel, twin rooms. Depending on the size of group, you might be sharing a room with someone of the opposite sex. Bed linen, towels are provided.
* non contractual picture of the accomodation
- Breakfasts and dinners are served at the gîte-hotel
- Lunches are not included, to give flexibility to the group to chose a sandwish from a bakery or to go in a local restaurant to relax
- Single room supplement according to availability: 60 €
- Snacks: details are important especially after such demanding physical effort ! To boost your energy we've chosen to provide mulebars, organic, vegan, digest and extremely nourishing quality-wise without preservatives, food colouring or additives.
- For certain trips, it's possible to book a single or double room if available, with surcharge.
Accomodation before & after bike trips
Once we've received your booking, we'll provide you with a list of accomodation in case you need to book accomodation before or after the trip. All accomodation on the list is close to the meeting points and you may often benefit from preferential rates.
In case of emergency or delay, you can either contact your guide (a phone number will be provided before departure) or contact Azimut on: (+ 33) 04 92 23 07 24.
Please inform your friends and family with these details before departure.
Free Wifi is available in most places.
Mobile & 4G coverage can be unreliable.
Make sure to wear bright colours, it's good for the soul and give photos a funky edge !
Technical gear
- Mountain bike: all mountain type or enduro bike, with platform pedals or your own clip-in pedals (that we can mount on a rental bike)
- E-bikes: please remember to charge your battery for day 1
- Backpack with a 20-25 liter capacity max
- Helmet & sunglasses are mandatory
- Mountain biking gloves (an extra pair of warm gloves can be useful)
- Knee and elbow protectors are highly recommended
- Low hiking shoes with flat soles, or your shoes for your clip-in pedals
- Repair kit including a set of brake pads (that match your brakes), a spare derailleur hanger, a quick link for your own chain, a pump, self adhesive patches, inner tubes with the right dimensions and anything else that may be specific to your bike.
If you don't have the adequate gear for this trip, don’t worry and travel light: we rent out the required gear and hand it over at the start of the trip ! Our equipment is relatively new, if not brand new, of good quality and adapted to your choice of activity.
Prices of rental gear during the entire trip (competitive prices as we only charge you for the number of days of use on the trip):
Tarifs des locations pour ce séjour (tarif avantageux ne prenant en compte que le nombre de jours d'utilisation sur ce voyage):
Enduro bike pack including repair kit + helmet- 3 days |
120 € |
Important: all bikes are thoroughly checked before rental, you are responsible for any damage.
Prices and bike brands may vary according to availabilities and trip levels.
Clothes
This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes that it may be a good to have with you. By no means do you need to have the latest brands or the latest gear, but if you need to renew your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start. Prefer lightweight warm and comfortable clothing. This is not just a detail, it makes a hell of a difference !
Headwear
- Sunglasses and glasses with clear lenses for forest sections and cloudy days (it's important to protect your eyes). Photochromic lenses adapt to light intensity and protection categories range from 1 to 3 or 2 to 4 to optimize visibility from shade to brightness. Very useful.
- A buff and/or thin beanie that you can put under your helmet if it's cold.
Bodywear
- Under layer: breathable long sleeved top as well as leggings to maintain heat. A tip: merino wool is breathable and has anti-bacterial properties and is therefore less likely to smell as opposed to synthetic fabrics. Have this in mind if you need to update your wardrobe.
- Outer layer: a light fleece jacket and/or a light hooded down jacket that you can put under a jacket that has a breathable waterproof membrane (soft shell type or Goretex), easy to slip on during a break. Make sure it's lightweight and compact so it doesn't take up too much space in your backpack
- Bottom layer: mountain biking shorts and leggings in case it gets cold
- Hands: light fleece or soft shell gloves, a pair of silk glove liners to go underneath, warm gloves with a breathable and waterproof membrane.
- Swimming gear: it takes up such little space, it would be a shame not to bring it just in case. Avoid swimming shorts or bermudas, they are not usually allowed in pools or hot water springs baths.
- Good to have: an extra t-shirt in your bike backpack, appreciated after a big sweat on an uphill ride).
Footwear
- Bike socks: merino wool socks are breathable and have anti-bacterial properties and are less likely to smell as opposed to those made of synthetic fabrics. Remember this if you need to stock up.
- Slippers or crocs are recommended for evening wear. Try charentaises they’re really comfy ! www.charentaises.fr
Odds & ends
Toiletries and first aid kit
- Personal toilet bag
- To make up your a first aid kit, check out the Ifremmont website.
Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:
Official partner and service provider for Terres d'Aventure
Don't forget to