Megève Camp: a week in the mountain passes
From 5 to 12 September 2026, eight of us were in Megève, at the foot of passes made famous by the Tour de France and the World Championships: seven riders and one support person. Here is the story of our week, and what is worth knowing if you would like to join us next year.
The story
Our first training camp was a chance to end the season in style, among friends who ride well, on some of the most beautiful cycling roads in the Alps. Caroline and Livia organised it with a single base in Megève, right in the heart of the legendary passes. Places went to members first, and the camp was full.
The rides in numbers
| Day | Route | Riders | Distance | Elevation | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 6 | Megève → Col des Saisies → Megève | 5 | 52 km | 1,340 m | 3h50 |
| Mon 7 | Megève → Côte de Domancy → Megève (intervals) | 5 | 25 km | 650 m | 1h45 |
| Tue 8 | Megève → Col des Aravis → Col de la Croix Fry → Megève | 3 | 90 km | 2,200 m | 5h50 |
| Megève → Col des Aravis → Thônes | 2 | 40 km | 650 m | 2h20 | |
| Thu 10 | Megève → Côte 2000 → Megève | 7 | 18 km | 480 m | 2h10 |
| Fri 11 | Megève → Col des Aravis → Col de la Colombière → Sallanches | 3 | 90 km | 1,600 m | 5h |
| Top of the Col des Aravis → Col de la Colombière → Sallanches | 2 | 62 km | 870 m | 3h20 |
The week, day by day
The camp began with crêpes in the village. Then came the shopping and a first meal together: a mushroom risotto. Caroline, Julie, Geraldine, Louise and Stefania were there from Saturday to Saturday. Olivia and Monica joined us from Wednesday to Saturday on the short option. Livia did not ride: she took the “all in” option, with the cooking, the shopping and the car.
Every ride started from the accommodation: no complicated departures, just clip in and go. The car was only a safety net.
The first proper day took us up the Col des Saisies from Megève. The pass peaks at 1,657 m and links the Val d’Arly to the Beaufortain. From Flumet it is 14.6 km at an average of 5.5%: a steady gradient, never nasty, but it lets nobody off. The Tour de France has been climbing it since 1979. That evening, spaghetti bolognese, with a lentil bolognese for the vegetarians.
The next day, intervals on the Côte de Domancy. On this Sallanches circuit, on 31 August 1980, Bernard Hinault won his only world championship title, attacking on the last ascent of Domancy: about 2.5 km at an average of more than 9%, with sections at 16%. Repeating efforts on this climb means training at the scene of a great feat. That evening, roast sweet potatoes, braised courgettes and mustard, honey and lemon chicken, with tofu for the vegetarians.
The big day. Five riders set off, with the Col des Aravis (1,487 m) on the menu. Livia picked up Caroline and Louise in Thônes while the others finished the ride over the Col de la Croix Fry (1,467 m), a first-category climb in the 2013 Tour. That evening, chilli con or sin carne, salad and cheese: we had earned it.
A rest day, and the day Olivia and Monica arrived. Shopping in the afternoon, spa and baths, then a pasta party followed by apple tart.
Thursday brought the Côte 2000, and it was very cold. We came back to a warming vegetable tagine with wholemeal couscous, and banana bread.
Friday, back to the big names. Julie, Geraldine and Olivia rode the Col des Aravis. Livia dropped Stefania and Monica off at the top of the pass so that they could carry on as a group of five towards the Col de la Colombière, about 1,613 m high, which first featured in the Tour in 1960. Aravis followed by Colombière is also how the Megève–Morzine stage of the 2016 Tour began. The group reached Sallanches late. Livia and Louise went to collect the girls, because a table was booked. Dinner was all together at the restaurant Le Torrent.
Clearing up, then a brunch before setting off for home.
What we take away
The first lesson of the camp: bring someone who does not pedal. Livia took care of the cooking, the shopping and the car, while Caroline handled the organisation and prepared the GPS route for every ride. Every evening Livia also made rice cakes, so that everyone had some at the start of the next morning’s ride. She collected riders who had stopped along the way and drove those who wanted to join a ride later. You ride more calmly when you know there is a plan B, and nobody has to finish a ride that is not going well.
- Vary the days: a long ride, a short session, a real rest day in the middle.
- Check the weather before every start and take a windproof jacket: on the Côte 2000, the cold caught us out.
- Have a plan B for every ride: a car, a meeting point, the option of heading home earlier than the others.
- Think about vegetarian menus from the very first shop.
- Set aside a room for the snorers.
What remains of the camp
Incredible passes, a great team spirit and breakfasts where everyone eats what she likes. The participants sum it up in two words: “du kiff”, French for pure enjoyment.
We are running the camp again next year. If riding in the tracks of the Tour, with friends and a team that cooks, sounds like your kind of week, keep an eye on our announcements: places go to members first.
In pictures
Photos: the camp participants