AlpinBike Lake Annecy, an opener ride in the Bauges

With its postcard-perfect scenery and dreamlike landscapes between the shores of Lake Annecy and the Bauges Regional Natural Park, the AlpinBike Lac d’Annecy takes its participants on the most beautiful roads and trails of the Bauges. Traditionally, this first day on Saturday allows riders to get warmed up with the Grimpée du Semnoz. For the second consecutive year, climbers share the day’s program with gravel enthusiasts.

Source: Press Release

ATTACKING THE SEMNOZ!
THE GRIMPÉE DU SEMNOZ | 24KM & 1,200M D+

From 8:30 AM, more than sixty participants set off on the Grimpée du Semnoz. With 24km of non-stop climbing from the center of Saint-Jorioz and over 1,200m of elevation gain to conquer, the Grimpée du Semnoz provides some indication of the participants’ fitness levels. After a first climb to get out of town and reach the final kilometers of the Col de Leschaux, the route heads towards the Semnoz, with its 13.9km climb at an average of 5.8% and its large switchbacks. While the first kilometers wind through the forest and rocks, the road snakes through alpine pastures in the final kilometers. Leaving the forest often brings a strong breeze that saps the participants’ last reserves of strength. Once on the long final ramp, as thighs burn and heart rates soar, there’s no choice but to give it everything and push to cross the finish line with the best possible time. This mythical climb, as tough as it is beautiful, offers riders a breathtaking panorama at the summit with a 360° view of Lake Annecy, the Bauges Massif, the Alps, and Mont Blanc. Under sunny skies and with a persistent sea of clouds, participants crossed the finish line at 1,665m altitude and were able to recover while enjoying the clear view of the peaks. Congratulations to Arthur BLANC, who completed the Grimpée du Semnoz in a record time of 55m08s, and to Stéphanie DUC, who was the first woman to complete the course in 1h15m33s.

THE BAUGES, THE OTHER SIDE!
GRAVEL COURSE | 68KM & 1,630M D+

With a playground as vast as the Bauges Massif, it was only natural to highlight its other, even more natural and unusual, side! Inaugurated in 2021, the Gravel course was redesigned this year to be even more fun, accessible, and playful. With 68km and 1,630m of elevation gain to conquer, the AlpinBike Lac d’Annecy Gravel course took the 73 participants into the heart of the Massif on the small roads and trails of the Bauges. After discovering the reed beds of Saint Jorioz, participants headed towards the alpine pastures of the Col de Chérel at over 1,500m altitude, nestled between Trélod and Arcalod. After a technical descent towards La Compôte, gravel enthusiasts alternated between small roads and rolling trails to reach the finish line. This gravel course, which counts as the penultimate round of the Gravel’Tour Cannondale, saw Kevin BOSCARDIN win among men in 2h51m27s and Ellen MARTIN among women in 3h48m02s.