Riom / Clermont-Ferrand Grande Traversée du Massif Central Gravel

After Marsat, the cycle route climbs into forest for a few kilometres, offering a delightful mix of tracks and paths. Close to the spot named Les Vergnes, you leave GTMC VTT mountain-biking route and tackle a substantial climb through the countryside. A final short but steep climb leads you to Chateaugay, then a few sections along narrow singletracks follow, to Malauzat. The long descent to Blanzat, riding between fields and pasturelands, allows you to gather your strength before the short but steep ascent to the Col du Bancillon pass (at an altitude of 551m and with several stretches up slopes with a gradient of over 10%). This ascent may cause you to put a foot to the ground at times, or even to push your bike along short stretches… as may the final descent leading down to the city of Clermont-Ferrand!