Image : @tobi.koepplinger, 4th TNR
1) BACKGROUND
2) WHEN+WHERE
3) ROUTE
4) AIMS OF THE RIDE
5) RISK AND OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF
6) CREDITS AND THANKS
2) WHEN+WHERE
3) ROUTE
4) AIMS OF THE RIDE
5) RISK AND OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF
6) CREDITS AND THANKS
1) Background |
Ridden in 2015 to explore some parts of the Alps we'd ridden by or skirted around in the past, this route is an example of how much great riding can be found this part of Europe but is often missed so that we can bag famous cols or ride the best-rated uplift spots. The route was created by linking extended dirt tracks and high cols to valleys and towns for re-supply points. Easy travel logistics cities were included at each end. The GPS files included alternate routes and side-trip sections so that we could adapt the route along the way. The idea of the 'bike rally' format is about the terrain mix and having a route that can leave some decisions open until you get there or a reason to return again, to vary the route or add that extra loop.
One reason for the ride was to test our bikes on mixed terrain, to learn more about bikes that worked well both on road and along rougher tracks. We expected to find some sections that were uncomfortably rough on our chosen bikes (a Surly Troll on 1.75" Marathon Mondial tyres and a one-off drop bar bike with 650B x 48c tyres) - we did - and the current rally route now keeps those to a minimum, but doesn't avoid them altogether. During the ride we carried our bikes for a while a couple of times, stumbled upon some really scenic places via diversions or side-routes and received welcome hospitality when we didn't expect it. The options kept us involved in the route, the mix of road and dirt tracks suiting a wide range of bikes and letting us appreciate the surroundings almost every pedal-stroke of the way. We thought it would make a good group ride for another year and out of that idea came the 1st Torino-Nice Rally in 2016. Like a classic car rally it should be a reliability test, an adventure with friends and a memorable experience. |
2) when AND Where |
The Torino-Nice Rally starts early in September each year. Entry happens in a haphazard but fair way sometime after January and before May preceding the event. Just pay a bit of attention here or on social media if you'd like to join us.
The Rally starts early in Turin centre - see Updates section and POI page here, Turin section, for more info. There's a traditional meeting point for food and drinks the night before as a place to meet your fellow riders before we start from the same place the next morning. |
3) The route |
Between 600 and 700km and around 15-20,000m elevation gain depending on the options taken.
Includes : Turin - Colle del Colombardo - Colle Finestre - Strada del'Assietta - Briancon - Col d'Izoard or alternate inc Hike-A-Bike and roughstuff to Chateau Queyras - Col Agnel - Colle Sampeyre - Varaita-Maria ridge or road shortcuts toward Stroppo - 'Little Peru' with options for the climb, road or more roughstuff - Col de Tende and options of the Via del Sale or a shorter descent to Tende - More dirt roads up to Fort de la Forca - Col de Turini, option of faster road descent towards Sospel - Dirt and roads from Sospel toward the coast inc Cols Braus and Madone de la Gorbio with sea views - Coastal balcony roads on the way into to Nice. For route files look up the Torino-Nice Rally Collection on Komoot, or contact us directly here. |
Image : @basrotgans, 1st TNR
4) Aims Of The Ride |
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5) risk and other important stuff |
Important info to read before riding the route. The Entry Terms include further details for all riders of the actual Rally event.
Risk
Route Info
Logistics
Impact
Image : @username_b_e_n, 1st TNR
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6) credits, thanks and
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Smart Shelter introThe Torino-Nice Rally is run on a not-for-profit basis by Torino Nice Rally Ltd. We support a good cause in a small way - for each year's event as well as 'DIY' tourers on the route, cloth Torino-Nice Rally patches of the Monte Carlo Rally homage design (the logo at the base of the page) and rally cards are sold in aid of Smart Shelter Foundation. To get a patch and card, see the Contact page. For more information on how we support SSF see the Smart Shelter page.
Poster artwork by Leigh John, based on pictures of the route. The poster started the creation of the website and the ride followed. Thanks to Komoot for supporting the 2021 event and SSF. Thanks to Northern.cc who've helped with getting the essential insurance Q resolved for the 6th TNR in 2022 - without that the rally event couldn't have continued. Thanks also to Cafe Du Cycliste in Nice for welcoming riders at the cafe as an unofficial finish point and to Max Leonard (@m_xl) for the introduction to Cafe du Cycliste. Look up his books, they're of interest to anyone riding this route. Special thanks to Evanoui.cc, a French gravel and bikepacking website run by Cyril, a friend of the TNR from the very beginning. And last but certainly not least - many thanks to Sergio in Turin, our host and helper there without whom the TNR dinner there wouldn't happen. Grazie Sergio : ) |