2026 Tour de Mont Blanc - HIBC

HIBC’s 2025 trip to the Alps was my best HIBC tour yet…in fact, it was so good that I started to plot a route for 2026 in the car on the way back.  And so, 12 months later, 13 HIBC cyclists took on the challenge of 6 days of cycling the Tour of Mont Blanc.

We’re not complete masochists and we try to make our lives easy, so our tour was fully supported by Michael.  Michael not only drove a van carrying all our bags, but made sure we were well fed at lunchtime, had plenty to drink along the way, made café and restaurant bookings, and was generally helpful.  Plus, having Michael meant we could travel light – I restricted myself to an inner tube, tyre levers, pump, and the ubiquitous personal first aid kit.

This year we cycled from Publier on Lac Leman (East of Geneva) around Mont Blanc through bits of Switzerland and Italy before returning to France for the final few days.  So yes, we carried passports too, but these were never inspected.

Here is what we got up to on the HIBC Tour de Mont Blanc:

Day 1 – Publier to Sallanches

Within 10 minutes of leaving Publier we were cycling on smooth tarmac, up a valley with a bubbling mountain stream, and glimpses of towering peaks in the distance.  Our first café stop was in Morzine, which was busy – the streets were crowded with people doing an army-style assault course.  Our first climb (Joux Plane) was hot; a sign on a ski-lift half way up read 35C.  We were welcomed to the summit by a cacophony of bells – a herd of cows was drinking from the lake – plus our first view of Mont Blanc.

Day 2 – Sallanches to Martigny

A cycle ride to Switzerland.  We rode about 30km (climbing 500m) to a railway station café at 1000m altitude!

We then went over the Col des Montets (where we had our typical lunch of baguettes, cheese, meats, tomatoes, crisps), over the Forclaz and then down a straightish (i.e. fast) descent into Martigny.

Day 3 – Martigny to Aosta

It was Tuesday so we must be heading to Italy.  First climb of the day was Champex, which someone had described to me as brutal.  Except it wasn’t.  A narrow, and almost deserted road wound its way up through the trees to a lake at the top, complete with another of Michael’s great café finds.  Some swam – the water wasn’t too cold, even though we were 1500m up.

The climb that was brutal was the Grand St Bernard – over 25km and 1500m of ascent in hot conditions.  But the descent was worth it – 35km downhill dropping about 2000m – a fine combination of fast straights and sweeping curves.  If this is Italian cycling then give me more!

Day 4 –Aosta to Seez

Another day, another climb, this time up the Piccolo St Bernard.  An intrepid (or foolish) few squeezed in an extra climb up the Colle San Marco.

So far, the roads had all been superb, but near the bottom of the climb we cycled across newly laid tarmac, and some of us picked up a mm or so of tar on our tyres.  There was much scraping of tyres at the top – tarmac on tarmac might not be best for descending.

We finished at the Ferme d’Angele, and ate in their garden – perfect!

Day 5 – Seez to La Clusaz

Day 5 was a big day – 98km and almost 2900m of ascent.  First off was the Cormet de Roselend –one of my favourite Alpine cols.  We were chased up by the FDJ United-Suez Women’s A team including Demi Vollering, winner of three Grand Tours.  They didn’t catch us, but we did have a substantial head start!  Then a hot climb to Saises followed by Aravis – much shorter, but mentally and physically tough at the end of a long day.

Day 6 – La Clusaz to Publier

And before you know it, it’s the last day.  Most opted for a climb up the Colombiere but there was an easier option for those who wanted it.  Michael lives near the bottom of Colombiere and cycles it a couple of times a week – sure beats our loop around Boxworth and Elsworth.

We went on to the Col des Moisses for our last lunch on the road, and then quite suddenly we’re cycling through Publier again.  In 6 days, we cycled 531km, climbed 12,340m, coped with heat (but fortunately not a drop of rain), took in spectacular mountain vistas, solved some of the world’s (and our own) problems, got to know a new group of people, and bonded through some great shared experiences.  Unforgettable!

How we did it.

Getting there.  We drove.  It is about 15-16 hours from Histon to Publier, depending on how chaotic the Chunnel is.

Support.  If you’re cycling in the Alps, get support.  The climbs aren’t that steep, but they’re long, and having an unladen bike makes a big difference.  And knowing that we had a van with support for most eventualities (including spares, medical kit, tools, water, and food) plus the option of a lift if required meant there was much less to worry about.

The rides.  We rode 75-100km a day, climbing between 1000m and 2700m each day.  Yes, you could do more, but we had time for cafes, photographing, swimming, conversation, and (in my case) catching up with old friends I hadn’t seen for 20 years.  The slowest riders started about 45 minutes before the fastest, meaning we ate lunch together.

Food.  Picnic lunches are great.  Flexible, cheap, and you can eat as little or as much as you want.  And it’s well worth eating flapjack or gels during the climbs.

What to wear.  We were cycling in hot conditions.  35C and warmer in the valley bottoms.  In my bag I had skiing gloves, a light down jacket, gilet, arm and leg warmers, and woolly hat.  I don’t regret bringing them but didn’t need them this year.  In 2025 I cycled some of the descents with four layers on.

Tunnels.  As last year, there were a few of these – up to four a day.  Whilst all were lit, a back light is essential.

Where we stayed.  A mixture of cheap chain hotels, family run hotels and the ‘Ferme’ B&B.  Hotels in the middle of town are better than the places on the outskirts.  But it was worth staying in a chain on the outskirts of town for the first and last night as we could leave cars there.

This year’s Alpine cyclists were Ben, Cathy, Chris, Dan, David, Farhad, Hamish, Jan, Mark, Neil, Rob, Sharone, Will, supported by Michael (Velo Club Traverse).  These words were mostly written by Dan, with photos by Cathy, Farhad, Neil, and Dan.