Cyclosportives in Vaud

For cyclists, Vaud is like a mosaic: flat along the lake, rolling in the Gros-de-Vaud, mountainous towards Villars and the Col du Pillon 🚴. Lake Geneva offers a legendary loop between Switzerland and France that many dream of completing. A cyclosportive in Vaud calls for as much climbing strength as endurance.

The season runs from April to October. The roads along the lake can be ridden from spring, while the high-altitude passes open once the snow has gone, around June. Summer thunderstorms often form in the afternoon, which is a good reason to start early ☀️. The wind off the lake, whether the bise or the westerly, can slow down or push the peloton, which is why riding in a group pays off. Low gearing for the steep ramps and a light jacket for the descents remain the best advice. Good preparation also includes a few long rides with elevation gain, to get your body used to repeated climbs and technical descents. Remember to bring food and drink, as aid stations can be few and far between on the passes.

The Vaud cyclosportive calendar offers two very different events. In May, the Cyclotour du Léman, starting from Lausanne, links points around the lake and crosses a border, for a loop that every cyclist dreams of 🌊. In July, UCI The Majestics brings mountain lovers together in Villars, with a gravel format to mix things up. To broaden your horizons, take a look at the gravel races in Vaud.

Villars-sur-Ollon, a mountain village facing Mont Blanc, offers one of the finest panoramas in the Vaud Alps 🏔️. On the way back down, a plate of papet vaudois or a slice of tomme vaudoise will reset the counters to zero. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned climber, choose your ride and let the road do the rest, with the lake as your reward. To widen your horizons, take a look at the cyclosportives in Switzerland.