GTJ mountain biking trail Practical information

2017 INFORMATION

 2015 issue:

Permanent diversion of Leg 16 between Points 4 and 6 at the level of Combe Sambine:
This section has been diverted; it now goes down to the left toward the road, then toward Le Boulu, and gets back on the route at Point 6 in the road book. Marking was changed accordingly in the summer of 2015, so it is easy to follow. Additional signposts will be installed at the beginning and end of the diversion.

2011 issue:

– In the June 2011 issue of the topoguide “La Grande Traversée du Jura à VTT” (publisher: Chamina), three sections of the route had to be changed in the sheets for Legs 15, 16 and 20.

– There is a mistake in the phone number of one of the overnight group houses quoted on page 14 of the Livret Pratique, namely gîte de TREVILLERS; the correct number is: +33 (0)3 81 44 41 08.

MISCELLANEOUS INFO:

– The chairlift from Morond to Métabief is now open at weekends in the low season and every day in the summer; for more information, please call +33 (0)3 81 49 13 81.
Access to mountain biking trails in Métabief and the alternate GTJ section toward the Mont d’Or and Mouthe is now available (see sheet No. 12).

– Mechanical assistance: if you have a mechanical issue with your bike, you might have to contact a bike shop for assistance. Below are the numbers of our favourite providers:
– Gaby Sport – Sport 2000 – 35 Avenue du Bois du Roi – 25370 Métabief – Tel. +33 (0)3 81 49 13 83
– Cycles Forestier – Route du Lac – 39220 Les Rousses – Tel. +33 (0)3 84 60 09 44
– (Other providers can also assist you in Montbéliard (KM 0), Voujeaucourt (KM 0), Maîche (near KM 50), Morteau (KM 117), Pontarlier (KM 150), Chapelle-des-Bois (KM 222), La Pesse (KM 283) and Hauteville-Lompnes (KM 380).

The GTJ mountain biking route is marked in compliance with the rules of Fédération Française de Cyclisme (French Cycling Federation) and with the specifications of the “Sites VTT/FFC” label. The colour of the GTJ marks is different from the one used by the “Grandes Traversées VTT” (red) because it was designed earlier.

Signposts are installed at some intersections, in which case the GTJ pictographs appear on the direction vectors.

Before venturing on the Grande Traversée du Jura’s mountain biking route, we recommend that you take the “La GTJ à VTT” topoguide. This guide contains all the practical information that will enable you to prepare for your hike.

In addition, below is a list of the Top25 maps where the route is marked:

• Between Mandeure and Pontarlier:
  • 3622 OT
  • 3623 OT
  • 3524 OT
  • 3425 OT
• Between Pontarlier and Les Rousses:
  • 3425 OT
  • 3426 OT
  • 3326 OT
  • 3327 OT
• Between Les Rousses and Culoz:
  • 3327 OT
  • 3328 OT
  • 3330 OT
  • 3331 OT
  • 3231 OT
  • 3230 OT

All these maps are available in our online shop.

If you have a GPS, you can download the route free of charge from this link:

GPS: La GTJ VTT

GPS: La GTJ VTT, le Grand Colombier

While certain sections of the route are easy to ride, there are many bumpy, technical, and even slippery sections. The only type of bicycle you can ride on this route is a mountain bike.

In case you should feel tired or under the weather, you can opt for the easier, “light GTJ” sections and thus avoid the most bumpy, technical or steep sections. All those options are detailed in the topoguide.

• a mountain bike in good condition, primarily tested; hybrid bikes should be avoided; for more comfort, shock suspenders at the front and all-season tyres are recommended.
• two 0.75-cl bottles or one 2-litre water pouch;
• one or two inner tubes and one tyre removal tool;
• pump
• helmet, gloves, cycling shorts, cycling jersey;
• sports shoes or mountain biking shoes;
• sunglasses, knife;
• light backpack, rainproof clothing, cycling tights, windproof gilet or light polar sweater;
• picnic or energy food;
• identity documents;
• sleeping bag for stop-overs in shelters or group houses;
• rest clothing, rest footwear;
• toiletry items.

• • multiple-use wrench, chain rivet extractor, spoke wrench;
  • brake and chain derailleur cables;
  • chain lubricant;
  • cloth;
  • adhesive tape, patches, sandpaper, glue;
  • brake pads for traditional braking systems;
  • bicycle lock or safety lock (2 keys…);
  • pharmacy kit;
  • survival blanket;
  • toilet paper;
  • sunscreen lotion;
  • cash, bank card;
  • GTJ topoguide, IGN maps for other routes;
  • camping equipment, if applicable;

  optionally…

  • odometer;
  • map support on handlebar;
  • camera;
  • compass and GPS;

  mobile phone and/or phone card, etc.

When preparing your ride, try to limit the weight of your backpack to 5 or 6 kg; it may weigh a bit more, but 15 kg is definitely too heavy! Optionally, you can install a rack at the rear of your bike – some can be adapted to the seat post, some even have a built-in pannier – as well as a small pannier to the top of the front wheel. For those who plan on camping, a small trailer can be useful; however, make sure it doesn’t exceed 60 to 70 cm in width because you will need to take passageways or bridges through fences. For more detailed information, please visit the website of Cyclo-randonnée, they specialise in long-distance cycling and camping equipment for bikers.