Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Florian Thomas, ski and mountain bike instructor. A bit of a daredevil, I soon wanted to be autonomous and discover new horizons through thrills and spills. I've had a passion for cycling ever since I was a kid!
Why is Serre-Ponçon the ideal destination for mountain biking?
What I love here is the incredibly dense network of paths, tracks and trails, many of which have existed for centuries. To walk them is already to discover part of our region's heritage. These paths are to be found everywhere, in the valleys around the lake and in the mountains. North of the Savines-le-Lac bridge, the mountain atmosphere is more pronounced, and this can be felt on the trails. Conversely, towards Chorges and on the Avance side, you're riding in the hills, already feeling like you're in Provence. In both cases, the lake is never far away and the scenery is unique... Depending on the season, you'll never find the same atmosphere, to the delight of your eyes!
Are there different levels to suit different needs?
Absolutely. The variety of styles and terrain I mentioned earlier also means that we can offer routes to suit every level of rider. There's something for everyone, from short to long rides, with varying degrees of elevation gain and no real technical difficulties, just to enjoy the scenery, to crazy descents on playful singles for enduro enthusiasts. And then there are the bike parks in Serre-Ponçon's resorts, with 2 options to choose from. Les Orres, quite simply one of the finest bike parks in France. And Réallon, on a more modest scale, with a more intimate atmosphere and an outstanding landscape, at the foot of the Aiguilles de Chabrières and on a balcony overlooking the lake...
There's also the VAE, which is on the rise and is available from our rental companies? Can you tell us a bit about them?
It's just great! When I started out, I said that one of the things that made me love mountain biking was the possibility of discovering more things than on foot. The electric-assist bike is the culmination of this philosophy: go further, faster... And above all, easier! Because, let's face it, we're in the middle of the mountains here, and even our easiest routes can sometimes surprise some of our visitors arriving from the plains. Electric bikes are clearly the best way to discover cycling in Serre-Ponçon.
Will Serre-Ponçon be just right for road bikers?
We're right next to mythical cols like the Izoard and Galibier... so Serre-Ponçon is an ideal starting point for creating great loops for enthusiasts. Personally, I love touring the Lac de Serre-Ponçon. There are many variants, all of them on a balcony overlooking the lake.
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Any advice for beginners?
Embrun's lakefront area is ideal for beginners or for easy family outings with the kids. You can stroll across the plain under the Embrun rock or make a nice loop through Crots and Baratier along the dike that runs alongside the lake (green circuits 1 and 2). In the same order of difficulty, but with a more alpine feel, there's the link between Les Orres and Crots via the Grande Rocade (green circuit 10). This is an almost flat forest trail through a magnificent larch forest. There are several picnic spots along the way, including the Plat Aiguille lookout with its fantastic views over the valley.
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And for sports enthusiasts and thrill-seekers?
The ascent of the Parpaillon in Crévoux is a great challenge for those who like to climb. A dozen km and over 1100m of ascent, with a finish at over 2800m and the discovery of this unusual tunnel, cut right into the rock. With electric power, the ascent is accessible to a wider public and you can enjoy the high-mountain atmosphere. For fans of technical downhill trails, there's the Orres enduro via the main town, a must. But my preference is for the Serre Renard circuit in Chorges. It's the perfect synthesis of mountain biking in Serre-Ponçon, with a beautiful, fairly sustained climb and, in my opinion, the most beautiful descent in the area: an alternation of rolling and technical trails with a plunging view over the lake.
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A few tips on how to practice the activity safely? The advantages of being accompanied by an instructor?
Protecting yourself with a helmet and gloves is really the minimum. Then show respect for other users of these paths. With the exception of the bike parks in the resorts, the paths and trails on which we ride are not reserved for mountain bikes. You'll come across other walkers, often on foot, sometimes on horseback. So you need to control your pace and give pedestrians the right of way. An instructor will help you choose the best route according to your technical and physical level. He'll give you advice on how to improve your agility and confidence on the bike. He'll share his knowledge of the environment and take you off the beaten track for even more fun.
Info + : Check out the mountain bike itineraries on : www.rando-serreponcon.com. And check out our "Serre-Ponçon destination VTT" mountain bike map, on sale for €3 at the Serre-Ponçon Tourist Office.
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