The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most famous hiking routes in the world. A circular route filled with spectacular glaciers, breathtaking alpine meadows, grand mountain passes and charming valleys. To do this route by bike I altered the route a little. I kept a lot of the original hiking route, including all the major mountain passes, but added a few more gravel sections, particularly on the ascents to allow for as much peddling as possible. Be warned there is still a lot of difficult hike-a-bike! I would highly recommend you don’t do it in July or August, as the trail is very busy. In June (when I did it) there is still a lot of snow up high, so September might be the best option.
You might also be interested in: My GPX Route Files
Overall Kit Weight
The journey took 3 days to complete. The bike loaded with everything, including the two evening meals, two breakfasts, plus snacks for the first 24hrs, weighed in at 16.5kg’s.
Bike & Bags
Bike: Canyon Grand Canyon AL SLX 9.0 SL Hardtail, Tyres: Maxxis Icon 29 x 2.2″ tyres set up tubeless, Front Bag: Apidura Backcountry Handlebar Pack 20L, Back bag: Apidura Saddle Pack 17L, Top Tube Bag: Topeak Fuel Tank 0.75L, Food Pouch: Alpkit Stem Cell XL
Electronics
iPhone X, Garmin Edge Tourer, GoPro HERO6 Black, Anker PowerCore 26800 Power Pack, Supernova Airstream 2 Front Light, Battery-powered backlight, BBB Microsafe Lock BBL-10
The Anker PowerCore had more than enough power to charge the iPhone and Garmin tourer for the 3 days. The front light was not needed as I did not do any riding in the dark, but better safe than sorry by having it with me.
Spares & Repairs
Topeak Road Morph G Pump, Duck Tape and Electrical Tape wrapped on the pump, Cable Ties, Lezeyne Multitool, Tubeless Repair Kit, Spare Brake Pads, Tyre Leavers, Tubolito Spare Tubes, Mucoff Dry Lube Mini, Magic Chain Links, Fiber Fix Emergency Replacement Spoke, Spare Hanger, Needle & Dental Floss, Tyre Boots, Tubolito Repair Patches, Micro Leatherman, Thermarest Sleeping Mat Repair Kit
Everything in this list went for a bike ride and wasn’t needed…the best way!
Medical Kit
QuikClot Clotting Sponge, Triangular Bandage, Steristrips, Antiseptic Wipes, Eye Wash, Sterile Dressing, Anti-inflammatory Gel – Voltaren 2%, Paracetamol Pain Killer, Imodium, Rehydration – Dyrolyte, Savlon Antiseptic Cream, Tick Remover, Safety Pin, Micropore Tape, Strappal Strapping Tape.
Civilisation is never too far away on the Tour du Mont Blanc, so I took a more minimal first aid kit than I would normally.
Clothing
Cycle Clothes:
Kask Mojito Helmet, Salomon Sunglasses, Giro Rumble Shoes, Endura Gants Full Monty Glove, Craft Sleeveless Base Layer (Worn on its own when it was very hot), Mavic Sequence Jersey, Salomon The 37.5 Bra Sports Top, Salomon Wayfarer Shorts, Castelli NanoFlex Sleeves, Arc’teryx Zeta LT Waterproof Jacket, Salomon Bonatti Weatherproof Trousers, Socks x 1
Tent Clothes:
Salomon Primo Warm Seamless Tights, Salomon Primo Warm LS Tee Shirt, Salomon Haloes Down Hoodie Jacket, Socks x 1, Pants x 1
We had a good weather window and camped just below 1500m, so this layering system of clothes was more than adequate.
Camping Equipment
Mountain Equipment Firefly Sleeping Bag, Nordisk Lofoten 2 ULW Tent, Thermarest NeoAir Xlite Mat, MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove, MSR Gas Canister Fuel, Toaks Titanium 550ml Cooking Pot, Sea to Summit AlphaLight Spork, Lighter, Waterproof Matches, Folding Seat Mat, Petzl Tikka XP Headtorch, 750ml Bike Water Bottle, 2L Emergency Water Carrier, Water Purification Tabs.
Wash Kit
Eucryl Powdered Tooth Paste, Albus & Flora SPF 30 Lip Balm, Mini Toothbrush, Spare hairband, SPF 30 Suncream, Toilet Roll, Trowel.
Food
Firepot Dehydrated EveningMeals x 2, Homemade High-Calorie Breakfasts x 2, Ride Snacks.
Feel free to ask me any questions, happy to help where I can.
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