Your cycling holiday starts in Geneva on the Saturday morning; you will be transfered to Chamonix in just over an hour where you can unpack for your week long stay at the luxury of Chalet Annabelle in the heart of the French Alps.
Following a similar format depending on group dynamics and centred at Chalet Annabelle in the Chamonix Valley.
Saturday afternoon once the bikes are assembled and checked we will head out for a short ride from the Chalet and take in the Cote du Domancy which featured in the 1980 World Road Race Championship and more recently in last years Criterium Dauphine, a precursor to the Tour de France.
Sunday will be a 100km loop with 2000M of climbing taking us over the Col de la Colombiere featuring in the Tour the last 2 years. Following this we continue over the Col des Aravis. The Colombiere is a spectacular climb and with ample warm up before we hit the hill, there will be the opportunity to drop back to the support vehicle to remove a few layers as we start the climb.
Monday, we will leave directly from the Chalet and head towards Switzerland, over the Col de Montets and the Col de Forclaz before the 20km descent down into Martigny, Switzerland, formerly a Roman strong hold. After a quick coffee we will be back in (or out!) of the saddle for the picturesque climb to Champex du Lac. We will descend back into Martigny for the drive or train back to Chamonix.
Tuesday we will have a short transfer in our minibus to Taninges and after a warm up we'll hit the Col de la Ramaz featured in the 2010 Tour. After descending we'll hit the short 3rd catergory climb to the ski resort of Les Gets before dropping down towards Morzine. We then have the choice to return over the famous Col de Joux Plane and/or take in the climb to Avoriaz. This is another 100KM day with climbing over 2000M.
Wednesday will see us setting of to Italy through the Mont Blanc tunnel and we start the day in the spa village of Pre St Didier for the 25km climb over the Col de St Petit Bernard. Whilst long, its not to steep and over the top we are back in France and the descent to Bourg St Maurice. Then its the Cormet du Roseland and a tougher climb. If this is not enough we have the option of the Col de Saisies or jump in the minibus!
Thursday we will head to Annecy and complete the circuit of the Lake with the option of climbing the Col de Semnoz or the Col de la Forclaz.
Friday sees your departure so time to pack up the bikes and transfer to Geneva for your return flight
There is some flexibility in route choice depending on group dynamics, weather and road conditions and we can also plan in a day over the Telegraph, Galibier and Alp D'Huez to finish off the week. Contact us for more information.
What's included....
- Transfers from Geneva Airport
- 6 nights at Chalet Annabelle
- breakfast and evening meal (with wine) based on 2 people sharing a twin room. One night is free to sample a local restaurant
- Vehicle support
- Experienced cycling guide
The price....
€799 (€300 single supplement)