Everyone who watches cycling on TV dreams of the climbs themselves. The dream of blowing wide on the flanks of the Galibier, the Tourmalet or, say, the Sella Ronda is a little different in reality. Especially in France, many roads are very busy in summer. The Sella Ronda is also a well-known tourist attraction. Nothing like a free descent or a nice climb. But there is a bright spot. Many destinations see the value of a car-free day, both for cyclists and for nature. Therefore, herewith 5x car-free days in the mountains, which you can still take advantage of now!
Text: Sander Kolsloot
Sella Ronda Bike day
The Sella Ronda is an absolute classic for cycling in the Dolomites. The round trip of about 60 kilometres, which includes the Passo Sella, Pordoi, Campolongo and Gardena. In the year, there are only two times to cycle this lap without other traffic on the route: the Maratona dles Dolomites and the Sella Ronda Bike Day. The Maratona is a limited-entry event, where around 9,000 people get the chance to cycle the route every year. At the Sella Ronda Bike Day, everyone is welcome. From 08:30 in the morning to 16:00 in the afternoon, you can have a blast. This year, the Sella Ronda will be car-free on 10 June 2023 and on 16 September this year. Head over to the site soon to find out more!
Ride the Alps - Climb the Giants - Switzerland
Although Switzerland has already made a number of villages, towns and roads car-free, you will still come across the mailbox in every village. That is why there is the Ride the Alps - Climb the Giants initiative in the province of Valais - Valais. For five days in 2023, cars will be off the road and cyclists will have free rein to climb the Sanetsch pass, Lac de Tseuzier and the Col du Crans-Montana. Again, the advantage here is that the often narrow roads are then entirely for the two-wheeler. Not only for the climb, but also for the descent, this is a big plus. The dates for these climbs and car-free days:
- May 20 - Col de Crans Montana
- June 10 - Thyon 2000
- 11 June - Lac de Tseuzier - Anzère
- 23 June - Col du Sanetsch
- September 24 - Nufenen Pass
Col'attitude - Vosges
Closer to home in the French Vosges, you will find a cool initiative called Col'attitude. French roads are not known for their safety, especially during Cyclosportives or on a stray Sunday afternoon. The French, like the rest of the cyclists, are mainly concerned with themselves, and before you know it you'll hit a car. End of adventure. During Col'attitude several well-known climbs in the Vosges, such as the Grand Ballon, are closed to cars and cyclists have free rein. This year, these event are on the following dates
- June 11 - Le Lac Blanc
- June 25 - La Planche des Belles Filles
- July 09 - Ballon d'Alsace
- July 23 - Geisweg
- September 02 - Vieil Armand - HWK
- September 10 - Col Amic
- September 17 - Petit Ballon d'Alsace
- September 24 - Col d'Oderen
Oisans Col Series
Also in the Alps, the car-free days penetrated. From Oisans, at the foot of Alpe d'Huez, a 'car free day' is organised on several Saturdays in July and August. Several climbs in the region are then car-free. Great, then, if you want to enjoy the famous cols from the Tour de France or the Dauphiné Liberé. The following days you can enjoy car-free days:
- 04 July: Croix de Fer and the Glandon
- 11 July: Col de Solude
- July 18: Villars Reculas
- July 25: Les Deux Alpes
- 01 August: Col du Sabot
- August 08: Alpe d'Huez
- 15 August: Col d'Ornon
- August 22: Oz en Oisans
- 29 August: Col de Sarenne
Les Journee Cyclo: Grand Colombier
One of the most beautiful climbs to be conquered in this year's Tour de France is the Col du Grand Colombier. At Friday 14 July pop the riders of the men's peloton up this alpine giant. This monster climb is a number of Saturdays in summer free of cars and thus a cyclists' paradise. On the following days, you can climb the Grand Colombier car-free:
- 10 June
- 8 July
- 12 August
- September 9
Enough reason for a nice weekend to the Bugey region to book!
More car-free days in the mountains?
Do you know of any more than these 5x car-free days in the mountains? Let us know in the comments!
