Tour Gravel Vosgien the TGV
From July 5 to 13, 2024
The TGV is an ultra-distance, gravel bikepacking event,
without assistance or refueling.
The test is available in three formats, TGV 350 – TGV 700 – TGV 1200, with a common objective:
help you (re)discover the Vosges massif, its beauty and its diversity!
Also discover its mountain bike version, the Tour Massif Vosgien.
One of the great specificities of the TGV is that it offers several distances which intersect with each other, but also with those of the TMV organized at the same time.
The three distances all start from Ensisheim (southern Alsace) to go due north to Wissembourg, passing through the most beautiful Alsatian vineyards and typical villages.
The numerous single tracks and forest roads taken will allow you to access various remarkable sites such as the Hartmannswillerkopf, the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, the Alsace plain, Mont Saint Odile or the Dabo rock.
After several forays into Germany and the incredible crossing of the Alsatian Colorado, the return will begin with the ascent of the citadel of Bitche, the temple of Donon, the Champ du Feu then the mountain lakes will mark your advance. You will then have to join the crest road before going “back down” to the plateau of a thousand ponds to climb to the top of the Planche des Belles Filles then the Grand Ballon, synonymous with an approaching arrival.
Other remarkable sites and surprises will be on the program but it is difficult to mention everything.
The TGV700 and TGV350 are obviously shorter loops but just as intense as the TGV1200.
Everyone is free to choose their distance…
TGV 350, TGV 700 or TGV1200 are the three distances offered: it’s up to you to choose the one that suits you!
Whatever your distance, you have 172 hours to be a finisher. To finish on time, you will therefore need to travel approximately 170km/day for the TGV 1200, 100km/day for the TGV 700 and 50km/day for the TGV 300.
This formula allows everyone to find a challenge within their reach, to challenge themselves, to get out of their comfort zone and to experience a great adventure.
This formula also allows beginners, experienced riders and experts to come together in the event. This promotes conviviality, exchanges and sharing of experiences between bikepackers.
… choose your pace
Everyone sets their own goal and thus personalizes their challenge.
You can individualize your challenge: decide, for example, to complete your TGV 700 in 4 days (175 km / day) or your TGV 350 over the weekend… it’s possible.
Everyone sets their own goal and thus personalizes their challenge.
…and even change!
Distance changes before and/or during the event are possible.
Training that is too short, an injury before or during the event, a mechanical problem, a setback, etc., are all reasons that can compromise the success of your challenge. Rather than giving up: you have the possibility to change the distance and take on a new challenge!
You too can take up the TGV challenge!
The Tour Gravel Vosgien event offers you three demanding distances: also, good preparation is necessary to participate in the TGV.
The three itineraries are balanced with a succession of strong moments and calm moments. An alternation of trails, singles and forest roads. A difference in altitude evenly distributed over the entire route. Rolling sections which follow long climbs. Fun areas but also more technical and physical areas.
Finding this balance and “putting to music” the traces of the TGV is our challenge. Essential for us. It’s about allowing our participants to have a “savagely human” experience.
The distances
350 / 700 / 1200 km
The TGV offers you extraordinary tracks
and breathtaking landscapes
Each route passes through typical Alsatian villages, classified vineyards, mountain passes, magnificent lakes, exceptional sites and dream singletracks.
The dizzying panoramas, the half-timbered villages, the high-altitude lakes, the farm inns, the paths dotted with fortified castles or beautiful ruins are yours to enjoy. Enjoy the descents of the biggest Vosges passes. Be inspired by different cultures. French, Alsatian and German are the languages spoken in the regions crossed by our routes.
These routes will not leave you indifferent as the diversity and richness of the landscapes crossed are incredible. The Vosges regional natural parks are gems to discover.
The TGV is three routes that overlap and intersect. Some participants are registered on the 350 km course, others on the 700 or 1200. This interweaving of routes makes it possible to find those who are progressing faster or slower, and to share with them. This mix contributes to the conviviality of the event. The TGV, a savagely human bikepacking event!
The TGV routes are:
60% dirt (trails, forest roads and singles)
and 40% road
The courses are “all-terrain” which means sometimes challenging. 45mm tires are recommended to increase comfort and reduce fatigue. The TGV routes have become more gravelly over the years. Thank you to the participants for their feedback. The fun and rolling sections are more numerous and the descents are less steep. However, we kept a few portages and pushes. We can’t completely remake ourselves!
The routes are fully recognized and carefully designed to discover the natural, historical, cultural, gastronomic and religious heritage of the different territories crossed (Alsace, Moselle, Vosges, Haute-Sâone, Germany).
The big climbs of the TGV
Le Grand Ballon (1424m), La Planche des Belles Filles (1148m), Le Ballon d’Alsace (1247m), Le Hohneck (1363m), Le Markstein (1265m), Le Donon (1009m), Le Ballon de Servance (1216m), Le Vieil Armand (956m), Le col de la Schlucht (1139m), Le col du Bonhomme (949m), Le Champs du Feu (1099m), …
The remarkable sites of the TGV
The crest route, the Alsace plain, the Alsatian vineyard, the plateau of a thousand ponds, Mont Sainte Odile, the Temple du Donon, the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, the Hartmannswillerkopf, the Bitche citadel, the canal of the Marne au Rhine, the valley of the lock keepers, the Maginot line, the rock of Dabo, the old Struthof camp, the Alsatian Colorado, the Fleckenstein castle, the Rhine, the typical Alsatian villages…
The main cities crossed by the TGV
Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Gérardmer, Saverne, Wissembourg, La Petite Pierre, Bitche, Schirmeck, Guebwiller, Phalsbourg, …
The main lakes of the TGV
Lac Blanc, Lac de Gérardmer, Lac Noir, Lac Vert, Lac du Forlet, …
The Wild DOT charter
The rules of adventure cycling are simple and largely self-controlled. It is a moral contract of integrity that each participant undertakes to respect. The rules attempt to embody the spirit of self-sufficiency and fairness for all participants.
1. Autonomy and fairness between participants are the basic principles.
2. Runners must follow the track provided by the organization and validate all checkpoints.
3. Participants must be completely autonomous and not receive any outside help.
4. External supplies are prohibited. All equipment and food must be transported or found in commercial services encountered on the route.
5. Sharing navigation tools, information, clothing, food and equipment is prohibited.
6. Accommodation reservations can only be made after the start of the event.
7. All runners must have a GPS tracker.
8. Assistance vehicles are prohibited.
9. Stops and overnight stays at private homes or with friends are prohibited.
10. Participants must respect the rules of the highway code.
THE TGV REGULATIONS
You and Nature: our most important partners.
THE AGREEMENT
Tour Gravel Vosgien 2024
Live tracking
and saving the tracking of previous editions
During the race, participants are geolocated using a GPS beacon allowing them to know their progress in real time. You can therefore follow them “live” on the interface of our partner SoluSport.
After the race, you can also find the “live monitoring” saved in order to study the progress of former participants, their passing times… and better prepare for your Wild DOT event!
Edition 2024
From July 5 to 13, 2024
350KM and 5,000m D+
700KM and 10,000m D+
1200KM and 20,000m D+
BRIEFING – Friday July 5:
Delivery of the participant pack, briefing and free aperitif.
A local meal will also be offered at everyone’s discretion.
DEPARTURE – Saturday July 6 at 7:00 a.m.:
Departures of all TGV and TMV, from the town of Ensisheim (68190)
ARRIVAL – Saturday July 13 at 12:00 p.m.:
Deadline for arrival of all TGV and TMV trains, in Ensisheim (68190)
Arrivals will still be possible afterwards, but will not benefit from the status of finishers or the presence of volunteers.
Once registered, download before July 1, 2024:
- Your civil liability insurance certificate
- Your medical certificate (less than one year old) with the mention “of aptitude for the practice of endurance cycling in successive efforts specific to long distance on roads, tracks and paths”
Registration fees :
- 160€ for the TGV350
- 170€ for the TGV700
- 180€ for the TGV1200
Deposit for the beacon of 150 euros
(returned at the end of the test).
Limited number of places:
Only 99 pa
Included with registration:
- The loan of a tracker for live monitoring of the event on the Internet.
- The GPS track in gpx format.
- The Vera choker: “Tour Gravel Vosgien”
- The patent card to validate your passages at checkpoints.
- The TGV sticker.
- Participant insurance.
- Volunteers at checkpoints and on arrival to welcome you.
- Before the event, the pre-departure briefing to answer questions.
- After the briefing, the welcome aperitif to continue the discussions.
- Free bivouac in Ensisheim on Friday evening (the day before departure) with access to showers and toilets.
- Free bivouac in Ensisheim throughout the week of the event with access to showers and toilets.
- Surprises and local sweets.
So, will we meet on the TGV?
Photo credits: Aubin BERTHE – BIDAIA ©