Feedback and testimonials
Please see our YouTube comments specifically on the Etape preview https://youtu.be/HykUOX-ZohE and the Marmotte series https://youtu.be/_1ITN1xs4-g
"I’m a freelance writer (and former newspaper reporter) … and an avid cyclist. Before my 2022 bike trip to cycle the Alps, I did, of course, do some web searching. I found Mike’s videos and they were great and gave me several ideas about where to make my bases (Annecy and Cluses) and which cols to climb. I don’t know how Mike rides up all those mountains with only one hand. I decided to email Mike and ask him a few questions about cols and traffic, and when and where to ride, and he provided a lot of great info. And then I figured, what the heck, let’s see if Mike wants to go for a ride with me … and we did, up the Col de la Colombiere. I interviewed Mike for my story for the AP, and also wrote another story for France Today. He was a great source of info."
Steve Wartenberg
Freelance writer & cyclist
First Alps Trip Advice
Hi Mike,
I made it back to the US after a successful trip.
I was a kid in a candy store riding through all the towns I've heard and seen on TV for years. La Clusaz, Le Grand-Bornand, Allemond etc. I can see why the Colombiere-Aravis loop is so popular..amazing scenery. Thanks for guiding me to the less busy roads without sacrificing beautiful climbs!
Your suggestion to go down the Villard-Reculas side of Huez was a great call to see the Confession overlook into Bourg-d'Oisans.
Thanks for all your help and I hope to get back over there in the near future as there's so much more to ride!
Nick
Columbus Ohio, USA
Team Portland Maine
Mike,
Once again, I want to thank you, Jude, Kev and Ione for one of the best trips of my life. Everything was top notch from the rides to the food and attention to detail. Really some of the best cycling I have ever done in my 45 year career. Thanks again.
PB Portland, Maine
Good Morning Mike and Jude,
Wanted to say thank you again for the great stay and adventure. I am going on a club ride tonight and will be giving a rave review of Breathe Bike. If more from our club do book with you watch out for "American humor" as our "Senior Citizen Gang of 8" might mention some "British Humor". Good Speed.
GJ Portland, Maine
Tour de France
Thank you for a great trip last week and for looking after us so well, I thought the whole week was excellent, from the cycling, to the chalet and the staff that looked after us. Please can you thank Kev for me as he was a great support during the trip
Mark - Lichfield
Just a note to say thanks for a fantastic week of cycling with BreatheBike.com.
The trip turned out to be everything we wanted and more: guided rides to cols that were new and challenging; terrific support in the form of Kev and the van; great company (a product perhaps of the smallish group size); and wonderful accommodation with everything we needed at the end of a day's riding.
You guys are doing things right and I would not hesitate to recommend a trip with BreatheBike to my cycling friends. OK, we had to put up with the British humor (I think that's what they call it) but we gave as good as we got.
In particular, Mike put up with a lot of faffing, Matt's contrariness, my whining about hard rides and whether or not I could make the grade, and did everything with good humor and a nose to the wind - he led us all so many times!
The Tour watching was also great, especially the TT day. With Mike's inside knowledge, we saw SOO much more of the course and so many more riders up close than we could possibly have done on our own. These Tour days must have taken a lot of logistical planning, so chapeau on a great job.
I really hope we can return to your part of the world again, although I think we need to venture out of the British enclave in Chamonix and surrounds to improve our French (it was embarrassing how much English we spoke, considering we were in France).
Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Marg - Aussie in USA!
Etape Weekend
I want to thank you both for looking after us all so well at the weekend. All my guys had a great time and I am sure it wont take a lot of persuading to get everyone back for another trip at some point. The food was excellent and just what we needed, and you both made us feel very relaxed.
Jonathan - London
Thanks for all your help and advice at the weekend. I already want to do it again and quicker!
Mike - London
Feeling the “Chamonix Effect” when I’m on the bike these days. The 40 mile beach loop which I rode this morning at 5 is a lark!
Wanted to say that I most enjoyed my time with Breathe Bike last week. It was a complete trip in my estimation, with very good food and accommodations, dependable sag support for us cyclists, amazing riding which is an understatement and excellent cycling leadership on your part.
SW
First, a huge thanks to Mike, Jude and Kevin! That was an amazing trip. Perfectly organized and executed. The food was terrific, the riding was epic and the British humor was (nearly) tolerable.
Mike, you run a great operation --- tight and scheduled when needed and but relaxed and casual the rest of the time. It was great riding with you.
And Kevin, don't underestimate your contribution to the trip. Everything from your wrenching skills, organization, van support, tuna and good humor helped make the trip fun, funny and relaxing.
This trip was easily the best cycling trip I've ever taken. I'm not sure when I can make it happen, but I'd love to do it again someday. Until then, I'm happy to recommend Breathe Bike to anyone interested in riding in the Alps. Hope to see you all again someday.
SM Seattle
I just want to a big thanks to Mike, Jude, and Kevin. Guys, I wish you so much success going forward, and I'll tell everyone I know about the great time I had.
It was great meeting all of you, and I really enjoyed riding with you.
In other news, I'm having a great time in Chamonix, which is REALLY beautiful. Mike was kind enough to take me on a rainy ride over the Col de Montets the other day. This region has really cooled off.
JG Boston
Your hospitality is extraordinary! Cycling in the Alps has been a lifelong dream, following the routes of my cycling heros. Thank you to Mike for the most amazing passes I've had the opportunity to ride. Your expertise, local knowledge, and sense of TdF history made the riding even more wonderful.
D Seattle USA
This is the perfect way to do it and nothing could be faulted. Mike is an expert cyclist who has invested a lot of time in refining challenging but rewarding routes around the Alps. Kevin provided invaluable assistance with his good humour, photography and support from the van, with regular top-ups of water and food. Jude is a wonderful cook who kept us well fuelled and looked after us domestically, including washing our bike gear. The Chalet itself is top-notch. Highly recommended!
P Sydney Australia
I enjoyed every minute of the week I was at Chalet Annabelle. The owners Mike and Jude were exceptional hosts and the service was first class. The chalet and location is beautiful, just up to road from Chamonix and sitting at the foot of Mont Blanc, a view of which I had out my skylight in my room. This area is a cycling mecca and the routes chosen by Mike took in some of the most famous climbs, with rides fully supported. The views were stunning on the cycles. Jude's evening meals were out of this world with a cake and coffee ready for us on our return every day from our day's cycling. Tour days in the alps have to be experienced, the atmosphere was electric! The travel to the tour stages was completely hassle free with Mike's knowledge on how the stages operate and his knowledge of the area. Overall, I highly recommend Chalet Annabelle and I will be back for more cycling adventures in the future! JM TdF 2012
Words cannot convey how good and hassle free this trip was.
Chalet annabel is a fabulous base for tour climbs in the alps - led by the wonderful hosts mike and Jude.
The tour climbs are amazing and only matched by the fantastic descents ,ooohhh the descents .
I am currently recommending this trip to all my cycling buddies. CC TdF 2012
Thank you again for a great trip. Your hospitality, knowledge, flexibility, facilities and enthusiasm was refreshing and I will be recommending you both not only in print but to all my friends and tri club. I was really impressed. Cyclingweekly.co.uk
If you are looking for a first class cycling holiday there is no better place. The Alps give up a super challenge and Mike attends to every detail and is the perfect guide giving encouragement and belief to his guests. Who would have thought that Hors Cat climbs would yield to my legs! Fuelled by Jude's wonderful cooking (you will be hard pressed to find better in Chamonix restaurants!) by the end of the week you'll be racing up those gradients. When not cycling you can relax and take it easy in the hot tub, the chalet is super comfortable and a good nights rest is guaranteed wrapped in crisp quality linen. Our week was a pretty full one with the Tour de France in town, though there are plenty of other things for the whole party to do if cycling is not your thing. Mke and Jude know the area very well and will be able to assist with anything that you may want to do to fill your day.
I'll certainly be back and while I'd like to keep this haven a secret just for me .... it just would not be right to keep the rest of the world away from such a wonderful place to explore and enjoy the Alps from. IH TdF trip
'We went around as planned, great route and really enjoyed the day' 'Mike, thanks for all your help and advice for the Marmotte, all done now and back in the UAE. Well done on the Etape all your training must have worked.' JD Alpine Training Weekend
Best cycling vacation I've ever had. Chalet Annabelle is a wonderful place. Very good location. Mike and Jude who own and run the place are so welcoming and their hospitality is beyond words. Definitely will come back. DG TdF
