French Alps

Private Trip

From US$4,995 (single supplement $200)

Surely every cyclist’s Mecca, the French Alps needs very little by way of an introduction. The scenery, the history, the culture, and most importantly for us, the climbs that have become synonymous with the truly epic Tours. It is in the Alps that pro reputations are made and lost. We’ll experience the same kind of elation as we pick off a collection of the most respected climbs.

This itinerary is available on request for private groups. Link here to learn more about Private Trips and call us to put yours in motion.

• Day-By-Day
• Story of the Ride
• Accommodation
• What’s Included

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Having met the night before in Annecy for a bike fitting, we’ll head south this morning with the Col de la Forclaz in our sights. Offering spectacular views onto Lake Annecy it’s a short, tough climb before we drop back down and tack north along the valley through the town of Thones on our way to the attractive Haut Savoie town of La Clusaz. View today’s route »

Jun 18

Today is a loop ride out of La Clusaz, north through Le Petit Bornand and then along the valley floor through Bonneville before starting the climb up to Col de la Colombiere (1613m).  A Tour favourite, we’ll be climbing for just over 16kms and topping out at a gradient of over 10%, before dropping down, with the valley widening as we sweep into Le Grand Bornand on our way to complete our loop. View today’s route »

Day 2

Leaving La Clusaz this morning we have a big day in front of us… Immediately out of town there is the Col des Aravis (1486m) and then after a brief respite the category 1 climb that takes us up to Col des Saisies (1650m). From here we are rewarded with a sweeping downhill into Albertville, home of the 1992 Winter Olympic games, before tackling todays gem, the Col de la Madeleine.  At an elevation of 1993m, this hors categorie mountain pass has almost mythical status and is closed during all but the summer months.  From the summit it is a hairpin strewn descent to the valley floor and our welcome home for the next two nights. View today’s route »

Day 3

After yesterday’s big day of travel, today’s climbing is a classic loop ride straight out of our hotel. Three weeks before the Tour passes through here, we’ll climb to La Toussuire (1705m), the finishing point for this year’s stage 11. From here we have over a 20km climb up to a Tour favourite, the Col de la Croix de Fer (2067m), a challenging climb that boasts an average gradient of 5.5% and is again classified as HC. View today’s route »

Day 4

We pull out today with a short distance to cover but with two historic cols to conquer. First up is the Col du Télégraphe (1566m) and then after dropping down into Valloire the real climbing begins on our way up to the Col du Galibier (2646m). Famously climbed twice in last years Tour, including once as a stage finish, summiting this famous peak is about as symbolic it can get in the French Alps. Dropping down into the valley we will make our way to the town of La Grave. View today’s route »

Day 5

Our last day riding together is all about hairpins, 21 of them to be exact, all etched vividly in the memories of those who have been riding them since it was first included in the Tour in 1952. Now its our turn as we roll down to the bottom of the valley floor before a steady climb takes us through each hairpin, passing the plaques at each corner that bear the names of previous stage winners. We will have climbed harder and steeper routes this past week but probably none so iconic as Alpe d’Huez. View today’s route »

Day 6

A short drive and we’ll be in Grenoble by mid morning to say our goodbyes.

Accommodation

Hotel Chalet Alpage
A gem of a hotel, located in a beautiful rural setting. Most rooms have views of the nearby Aravis mountains. It is a converted farmhouse and boasts all the comforts of a modern hotel plus a swimming pool!

Hotel du Nord
Surrounded by forests and mountains, the town of St-Jean-de-Maurienne is popular with cyclists and makes for a great stop for us.  Our hotel is well-appointed and offers modern amenities.

Hotel Edelweiss
This hotel is a renovated coach house, almost as old as the 12th century village it is located in. The peak of the nearby Alps’ La Meije dominates the skyline and serves as a reminder of the hills we get to challenge.