Alpe D'Huez Cycling and Tour de France Cols of the Mont Blanc region
Alpe D'Huez Cycling...THE mythical climb of the Tour de France. Add to this such classics as the Glandon, Galibier, and Madeleine plus our own local favorites
Ability level - first-time Alpine cyclists to the seasoned king of the mountains. The route is tailored to the mean ability of your group
Alpe D'Huez and the Tour de France Cols of the Mont Blanc Region. Your cycling holiday starts at Geneva airport and in an hour with our inclusive private airport transfer you'll arrive at your accommodation in the Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley, the heart of the French Alps.
Tour outline which will be tailored to your group goals and abilities
We'll be exploring the Tour de France Cols of the Aravis, Colombiere, Croix Fry, Cote du Domancy, and Joux Plane. We'll spend a day in Switzerland at the Hors Category Emosson Dam featured in the 2016 Tour de France.
We will take on the Telegraph and the Galibier before hitting the slopes of the cycling mecca of Alpe D'Huez. After a night at Alpe D'Huez we'll head back towards Chamonix over the Glandon and the Madeleine if the legs allow.
We'll be climbing around 2000M to 3500M each day encouraged by our support and motivation. Don't worry about the distance, focus on the climbing - you may wish to read our article on this topic
There is flexibility in route choice depending on group dynamics and goals, weather, and road conditions and we invite you to please contact Mike to discuss your trip - click here to email
Our tour usually provides one day off the bike, if your group desires, to discover the Alpine Mecca of Chamonix.
What's included...
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Return private transfers from Geneva Airport in our fully licensed and insured vehicles
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6 nights in Chamonix, 1 night in the Alpe D'Huez region
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Extensive cyclists breakfast, roadside pic-nic and evening meal
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One night in the Alpe D'huez area is free to sample a local restaurant
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Full Vehicle support on every ride with an experienced cycling host (and pro-bike mechanic support* confirmed at time of booking)
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On-bike host option
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Client to host ratio is usually 4:1 maximum
Am I fit enough? What gearing should we use? We have written a series of articles that may help you in planning your cycling trip in the French Alps and these can be accessed by clicking here
The price...
The trip is tailored to your group's needs from the routing, accommodation, and catering hence the pricing will vary from group to group - please contact Mike by email or call France at +33 680 926408 (call/facetime/WhatsApp)
Join us on our YouTube channel to give you some inspiration to climb the cols of the Tour de France in the French Alps. You could be riding the Col de Joux Plane with us.
Outline Schedule
This outline of the week is subject to change based on ability, weather, and road conditions. The routes can also be tailored for bespoke groups which we will discuss with you in detail at the time of booking. If you have cycled with us previously we will definately find a new Col to challenge you.
Saturday - arrive at Geneva international airport for inclusive private airport transfer to Chamonix Mont-Blanc (approx one hour). Build bikes or hire bikes delivered (options available). Welcome dinner, safety briefing, and week overview
Sunday - ride out of the Chamonix Valley and ascend the Cote du Domancy (TdF and 19070 World Championship circuit) Cotes des Megeve, join the 2016 TdF Stage 20 route at Megeve, ascend the TdF regulars of the Col de Aravis and Col de la Colombiere. Valley ride back to Chamonix, those that wish can ride back to Chalet or jump in the broom wagon. 130km loop, 2500M ascent approx.
Monday - Transfer to the Maurienne Valley. Climb Col de la Telegraphe, Galibier and onto Alpe D'Huez. 80KMs, 3800M ascent
Tuesday - After a short warm-up we are onto the 20km HC Col du Glandon and the technical descent back into the Maurienne Valley, and then onto the HC Col de la Madeleine and a flat cool down to Albertville before a short transfer back to Chamonix
Wednesday - Day Off to explore Chamonix or optional self-guided ride. Staff night off - dinner in Chamonix (at your expense)
Thursday - drop out of Chamonix Valley and rejoin the 2016 TdF Stage 20 route at Cluses. Climb HC Cols Ramaz and Joux Plaine. 100KM loop 2500M climbing. Options to extend ride/climbing.
Friday - Ride from Chamonix in the opposite direction over the Col des Montets and through the Swiss border before ascending the Col de la Forclax and descending to the Roman garrison town of Martigny. Then it's the climb back up the other side of the Forclaz and onto the brutal climb of Emosson Dam, the final 2 climbs of Tdf Stage 16 2016. 100km 4200M ascent (some options)
Saturday - Airport transfers to Geneva for flights leaving mid-day onwards.