Day 3. Monday Chambery - Castelane

Once we leave Chambery and get to Grenoble it is for us the start of the Route de Napoleon. The reason why we are all here.
The distance planned is 273km/170miles which non stop should take us 4hrs 15minutes. However I have allowed three hours for stops as I expect lots of photo stops.
Looking on the Internet and seeing what others have written about the Route de Napoleon the claims are that this is one of the best bike roads in Europe. With every thing from long sweeping 100mph bends to 10mph tight hair pin bends. What they also warn for is bikers riding hard from the other direction? The scenary is fantastic but not advisable to look while riding the bikes.


What ever the truth maybe we will soon be able to compare my expectations with the experience.


Depart Hotel 9.00am


A41                 Grenoble
Approaching Grenoble take turn off Autres Directions/Domaine Universitaire
N87                 away from the town center
D5                   Vizille        Route de Napoleon starts about here
D1085            Corps/Gap
D1085/D85    Rest point Intermarche La Fare en Champsaur (Super Market)***
D85                 Gap
D85                  La Poet
N4085             Sisteron
N4085             Rest point. Stop on the outskirts of Sisteron just past the round a bout.
                         We can ride into Sisteron together and find a place to eat.
N85                  Digne/Nice
N85                 Chaudon Norante
N85                 Castellane


Hotel Du Commerce
Place Marcel Sauvaire
04120 Castellane
0033 492836100


Arrive at the hotel 4.30pm


The Route de Napoleon is separately shown under the usual signposts on a green board.


As most of these roads are B roads there are no Service stations to stop for meals. We will have to find a Baker, Supermarket, Cafe in a village. Which is the reason that I have chosen the above two places for a break. However I think today and tomorrow we need to be flexible.


There is no shortage of petrol stations.