I don’t know very many people who love just one sport. Just the other day I was climbing with ski guide, Donny Roth, and he remarked he had clients interested in skiing a few days next July, then catching a few stages of the Tour de France. Good idea!
Fortunately for the clients, Donny knew exactly where to send them–Miles and Liz Smart. Both have their international guiding certifications through the American Mountain Guides Association/International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations and this summer they’ve started offering bicycle tours in the French Alps, as well. “Cycle the Alps” offers luxury tours, but with an eye towards stronger riders looking to tackle the biggest terrain in the Alps. Liz and Miles are both avid cyclists in their off-seasons from guiding, and both have begun competing in citizen races in Europe, like the Geneva-Nice “Haute Route” and the “Etape du Tour.”
What a cool gig, to be guiding rock/ice/skiing and then cycling in your “down” time. Having ridden with Miles a few times, though, I doubt he takes it so easily on the bike! These guys are fit and they’re full-time residents of France now, so I’m sure they’re dialed on the local roads and good food. They offer Chamonix-Nice itineraries, as well as a Mont Blanc tour, which circumnavigates Mont Blanc, passing into Switzerland over the Col du Forclaz (the Tour just climbed it this year), then through Italy (over the Col du Grand St. Bernard and the Col du Petit St. Bernard) and back into France’s Isere valley. Hallowed ground for cyclists!
I haven’t scammed my way onto a Cycle the Alps tour yet, but their first editions sounded great and I’ll be angling to tag along a few days next summer. Look up Liz and Miles if you’re into one of their set itineraries, or better yet, schedule a few days of rock or alpine climbing, to be followed by some riding in the Alps. Epic routes, on rock, snow, ice, or asphalt–go get some!
