Annecy
Col de la Croix Fry
Route to St. Jean
Col de la Croix de Fer
Col du Galibier
Alpe d'Huez
Vercors
Vercors road
Road to Provence
Mt. Ventoux summit
The Giant of Provence
Lavender fields
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| Day 1 Annecy
We’ll meet at the hotel at 2 p.m. for a brief orientation, then you’ll have the remainder of the afternoon to assemble/fit bikes and explore Annecy. For those interested, we’ll do a short ride along the lake. Welcome dinner together.
Annecy, nicknamed the "Venice of the Alps" because of the canals flowing through the old town, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Located on the shores of Lake Annecy, the village offers an ideal location where you can meander through the historic old town, hike or bike along the lake, ride the scenic mountain roads and cols nearby and enjoy local raclette cheese and fondue.
Day 2 Annecy Loop Ride
Ride Options: 50 miles/4,089-7,489 feet
We’ll begin with some easy riding along the shores of Lake Annecy before climbing the quiet road to Col du Marais (8 miles/1,284 ft.). We’ll have a fast, easy descent to Thones, where we can grab a snack before climbing the Col de la Croix Fry (7 miles/2,805 ft.), included in the 2004 Tour de France. It's all downhill back to Annecy, or you can choose to ride more. Dinner on your own at one of the many cafés in Annecy.
Optional Riding: Climb Col des Aravis (3 miles/1,200 ft.) and enjoy fantastic views of Mt. Blanc, or Col de la Colombiere (7 miles/2,200 ft.). Both climbs were included in the 2006 Tour de France.
Day 3 St. Jean de Maurienne
Ride Options: 70-75 miles/3,500-6,600 feet
Our ride will begin with a gentle climb with scenic views of Lake Annecy and up the Col de Leschaux (6 miles/1,215 ft.). We’ll continue along quiet country roads to Col du Frene before descending into the Val d'Isere. We’ll continue along rolling terrain to our hotel in St. Jean de Maurienne. Dinner together.
Challenging Option: 75 miles/6,600 feet This more challenging route to St. Jean de Maurienne takes us south from Annecy and over the Col de Tamie (6 miles/1,200 ft.) through Albertville. It continues south along the Isere Valley to the base of the Col de la Madeleine (12 miles/4,946 ft.) There’s a wonderful descent into the valley and to our hotel in St. Jean de Maurienne.
Day 4 St. Jean de Maurienne Loop Ride
Ride Options: 37-67 miles/5,000-10,000 feet
Today, you choose how much and what route you want to ride. The group ride will tackle the Col de la Croix de Fer (19 miles/4,946 ft.) and then enjoy downhill the rest of the way over the Col du Glandon and back to our hotel. Dinner on your own.
Climbing Option: Col de la Madeleine 12 miles/4,946 ft.
Day 5 Bourg d'Oisans
Ride 60 miles/7,100 feet via Col du Telegraphe & Galibier
Today is the day you’ve been training for! We’ll conquer the Col du Telegraphe (7.5 miles/2,717 ft.) and Galibier (11 miles/4,033 ft.)—a spectacular day of climbing in the high Alps. After the summit, it’s all downhill to Bourg d'Oisans where we’ll stay for the next two nights. Dinner together.
Le Bourg d’Oisans, best known for its location at the foot of L'Alpe-d’Huez, is ideally situated at the intersection of six picturesque valleys and is surrounded by tall escarpments.
Day 6 Bourg d'Oisans Loop Ride
Ride: 0-34 miles/4,500 feet - Alpe d'Huez and more!
L'Alpe d'Huez is the most famous mountain climbs on the Tour de France, though it’s not the toughest. Alpe d'Huez has hosted a stage finish almost every year since 1976. The eight-mile-plus climb has an average gradient of 8%—rising to 12% in some sections—with 21 hairpin turns marked with panels honoring the stage winners. Marco Pantani still holds the record for the fastest ascent in 1997 (37 minutes, 35 seconds)—how will your time compare? For those interested, we can continue over the Col de Sarenne on tiny pastoral roads back to our hotel. Dinner on your own.
Optional Climb: Les Deux Alpes (6 miles/6.5% average gradient)
Day 7 Vercors
Ride Options: 56-68 miles/3,700 feet
We’ll leave the Alps for the dramatic scenery of the Vercors region. We’ll begin with an easy spin down the Romanche Valley, and ascend 2,800 feet to Villard-de-lans (a 2004 TdF finish). The Vercors, now a Parc Natural Regional, is spectacular and unique with its myriad of narrow gorges and cliffhanging roads.
On the way to our hotel, we’ll descend through one of the most amazing gorges, the Gorge de la Bourne. Along the gorge, roads are carved into the lower sides of cliffs that are so high that sunlight is minimal, making it difficult to take photos. Our hotel sits high in an alpine valley surrounded by meadows and steep cliffs, with the mellow clanging of cowbells in the distance. Dinner together.
Day 8 Vercors Loop Ride
Ride Options: 0-44 miles/2,700 feet
Take a well-deserved rest day lounging by the pool and soaking up the sun, or exploring the village. You can also join us for a half-day ride along tiny, forested roads and twisting canyons before making a 2,700-foot ascent to the Col de Romeyère. Along our ride, we’ll encounter a road chiseled out of a 1,000-foot cliff! Dinner together.
Day 9 Crest
Ride Options: 68 miles, with either 500 or 3,700 feet
We’ll continue through the Vercors region on our way to the Drome River, following the 2004 Tour de France route that included Col de Carri, Col de Portette, Col de la Bataille and Col des Limouches. We’ll enjoy a nice descent toward the Rhone Valley, then continue to the Drome River and Crest. Dinner together.
Day 10 Provence
Ride 61 miles/4,200 feet
We’ll leave the mountains and ride along quiet rolling farm roads on our way to Provence. We’ll climb a few easy cols and enjoy views of the Rhone Valley and Massif Central in the distance, then continue through quaint villages and perhaps stop for coffee. Our first view of Provence is stunning, with vineyards, fruit orchards and lavender fields spreading everywhere below us, and Mont Ventoux towering above it all.
We’ll be staying in a tiny medieval village conveniently located on the wine road through the heart of Provence and near the base of Mount Ventoux, the mythical mountain and one of the most famous Tour de France climbs. The village sits atop a rocky peak capped by a 12th century castle and is set amidst olive trees, vineyards and orchards, and offers a splendid view of the surrounding plains. Dinner on your own.
Day 11 Provence/Mt. Ventoux!!!
Ride 68 miles/5,500 feet with 37 miles of downhill!
Our final day of riding will be memorable, as we take on “the Giant of Provence,” Mont Ventoux! We’ll ascend along the classic route from Bedoin, then descend through the aromatic purple lavender fields to Sault before enjoying our final descent through the spectacular, twisting Gorges de la Nesque. Final celebration dinner together!
Day 12 Tour Conclusion
After a great trip, we’ll say our final goodbyes after breakfast when our trip concludes. Transfer for your mid-morning train departure from Avignon TGV, or extend your stay in Provence.
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