La Lyon Mont-Blanc

La Lyon Mont-Blanc is a two-day cycling raid beginning in Bourgoin-Jallieu, heading toward the Alps, and returning. Held in late May, it covers 407 km with significant climbing: 194 km and 3,720 m of elevation gain on the outward stage, followed by 213 km and 2,897 m on the return. CTLyon established the event in 1938, making it one of France’s older long-distance cycling raids. The route travels from Bourgoin-Jallieu to Les Carroz d’Arâches on day one, and returns from Les Carroz d’Arâches to Bourgoin-Jallieu on day two. Participants encounter long Alpine roads, named mountain passes, and small villages instead of a closed city circuit. The event emphasizes distance, climbing, and discovery, with a strong social component: it is structured around two days of shared effort, club-rider camaraderie, and the cycling culture that sustains an old raid across generations.