Van & Bike Life in Queyras
Black Sheep Van, what is it?
Black Sheep's tagline is: "I am not a follower," and that was already a good sign that we had a lot in common with them! Also based in Rhône-Alpes, Black Sheep Van is a van rental agency (all sizes) for a weekend or a week, depending on your desires. In addition to its pretty cool identity, the vans offered are super beautiful and high-quality, perfect for escaping with the minimum of comfort and a free spirit to attack the best spot.
Back to shared values, van holidays are all about freedom, stopping wherever you want, changing locations depending on the weather, returning to a fairly minimalist lifestyle, and reconnecting with nature. But if you can also fit your two bikes (and your friend Django) in it, it's the perfect combo for a great weekend.
Desire
Concretely, we're coming off a very busy summer for us (clubhouse opening mid-June) with rides and events every week, late closings on Saturdays and Sundays. We needed a bit of fresh air, in addition to taking photos for our new mid-season jackets (still a bit of work, even if it's not the factory).
To do this, head to Queyras. Because it's still incredibly beautiful, and enjoying the last fine days of autumn, the colors, and the mountains emptied of tourists was so tempting!
The experience
Choosing your first spot carefully
We wanted to go to Queyras because the passes there are superb, and the larches in October are a magnificent color. A good change from the mountains around Annecy. Several options on the road, but between paying €60 for the Fréjus tunnel or going through the Galibier pass, the question is quickly answered, as Jean-Pierre would say!
Unfortunately, the weather isn't great, but we still have the opportunity to take a short walk at the foot of Mount Thabor and continue with the climb to the pass from Valloires. In a truly magical atmosphere, where each turn makes you gain a little height and offers new views of the path taken. We are getting closer to the summit, the first traces of snow are there, the pass is closed to traffic, but it's too tempting to go to the top for the accomplishment of seeing the sign.
I begin the descent on my bike, but the mist, the rain, and the 4-degree temperature encourage me to get back in the van. There will be more; they predict beautiful weather for the coming days.
Heading towards the Izoard pass
After this great warm-up, we resume our initial route towards Queyras. From the Lautaret pass, the mist disperses and we see the beautiful autumn colors in the valley towards Briançon. We quickly leave the city to tackle the Izoard. The atmosphere is truly magnificent, and the larch forest beyond Cervières immerses us in the atmosphere. At the level of the Napoléon refuge, a gravel road goes in the opposite direction of the road. At the edge of the forest and only 1km from the summit, this will be our spot for the night.
Driven by rain, the night turned out to be quite chilly; perhaps we should have listened to the advice to sleep downstairs. Admittedly, at 2,200m in October, it was a bit ambitious, but no regrets. With no signal at our spot, it was the disconnection we were looking for.
The next day, with the return of good weather, Flore really wanted to climb the Izoard on the Arvieux side. The deserted scrapyard had given her the urge.The perfect opportunity while the sun is slow to show itself to shoot our new jersey mid-season Perfect for the occasion. A short lunch break at the Col de la Platrière, the opportunity to enjoy a Tomme de l'Izoard cheese and a Queyrassine tart.
End in apotheosis
What would a trip to Queyras be without a visit to the Agnel Pass? A reminder of my first gravel trip in 2020, we headed towards the pass in search of a spot for our last night and to be able to climb the pass the next day. Once past Molines-en-Queyras, we found our little spot by the river, the Agnel Pass being followed along its entire middle section by a gravel path.
Waking up, what a pleasure to open the mosquito nets and see the contrast of blue sky and orange-yellow trees. The climb is going to be beautiful, another opportunity for me to immortalize this with photos and for Flore to discover this pass. With a summit at 2744m, it's one of the legendary passes of the Tour, the 2nd highest road pass in France and 3rd in Europe. An atmosphere that's difficult to describe but one that must be experienced. The calm of October obviously plays a part in it, in addition to the ideal weather. Intoxicated by the sun, Flore decides to descend, taking the GoPro with her.
We're taking a little more time to enjoy ourselves, not really wanting to go home. We've gotten used to this lifestyle and our habits in the van. A bit of a drive home, just to think about our next destination!
Matchy Equipment
The combo for beautiful autumn days: With our new mid-season jersey, perfect for outings between 5 and 15 degrees, make the right choice for your autumn outings. To combine with a vest Or windbreaker depending on the weather. Also discover our new winter accessories, arm warmers, overshoes, merino socks which will soon be available in the store. But also our lifestyle range, organic cotton t-shirt and sweatshirt!
I am not a follower
So, yes, the car is always less eco-friendly than the bike, but we prefer to talk about our territory accessible by car, rather than taking the plane to explain to you how great it is to ride in the sun in the middle of winter... No judgment, everyone is free to do what they want, but we find ourselves in this approach of discovering places accessible in a few hours!
Thanks to Polo, Alix and Cécile from Black Sheep Van.
Information for those interested:
