TOUR DETAILS

Type: French Alps | Classic Climbs

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Dates: Aug 31 - Sept 7, 2008

Experience Level: Intermediate / Advanced

Mileage: 50 to 70 mi/day

Package Price: $2,895

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Ride: Foothills warm-up - 25 mi (40 km)

Arrive in Geneva Switzerland. After we build our bikes, test out your climbing legs in the foothills surrounding our hotel. Tonight we will enjoy a great dinner prepared by our hotel's chef, talk about the tour and pass out maps and Jerseys.

• Arrival date for this tour is Sunday, August 31, 2008

• Departure date is Monday, September 07, 2008

• Arrival and departures from the Geneva (GVA) airport

• See Airport Pick-up & Drop-off Schedule

Day 2

Ride: Lake Annecy - Semnoz loop - 45 mi (72 km)     Altitude Gain: 5,000' (1500 m)

via Col de Leschaux & the Semnoz

After a short one hour transfer we start today's ride on lake Annecy. From 1,500 feet elevation (460 m) we ride along the lake to it's west side and climb the col de Leschaux at 2,950' (900 m) and continue up along the Montagne du Semnoz with beautiful views looking directly over the lake. The highpoint for today is 5,580' (1700 m). After the summit we continue around the lake and back to the hotel. Optional shorter loops are possible turning back to the lake after Leschaux.

Day 3

Ride: Lake Annecy -  Aravis loop 70 mi (113  km)     Altitude Gain: 6,000' ( 1,830 m)

via Col de la Forclaz & Aravis

Today is another loop ride from Annecy making for a relaxing 2 nights stay. Today's ride starts with a sudden but spectacular climb of the col de Forclaz with magnificent high bluffs and steep mountain tops all around. Our first accent takes us to 3,800 ft (1,150 m) and back down to the valley. A second equally challenging climb takes us along the foothills to the base of the col des Aravis. From here we have our third climb of the day and tackle this 5,000 ft  (1,490 m) pass. Our last 25 miles are all down back to the lake.

Day 4

Ride: St Jean de Maurienne - 75 mi (120 km)     Altitude Gain: 6,600' (2,000 m)

via Col de la Madeleine

Our ride to St Jean de Maurienne takes us south from Annecy and up over the col de Tamie which is a leisurely 3,000 ft (900 m) pass and down through Albertville. Continue south along the valley to the base of the Col de la Madeleine at 1,450 ft elevation. Climb 26 km with an average gradient of 6.1% to the summit at 6,540 ft (2000 m). Descend into the valley and to our hotel in St Jean de Maurienne.

• Col de la Madeleine - 2,000 m / 25.4 km / 6.1% Ave

Day 5

Ride: Galibier out & back - 60 mi (97 km)     Altitude Gain: 7,500' (2,290 m)

via Col du Telegraphe & Galibier

Simply stated today is pretty tough. Today's epic ride will conquer the col du Telegraphe and Galibier. A seemingly endless day of climbing. After the summit we return to the hotel for another night in St Jean de Maurienne.

• Col du Telegraphe - 1,566 m / 12.0 km / 6.7% Ave

• Col du Galibier - 2,645 m / 17.5 km / 6.9% Ave

Day 6

Ride: Bourg D'Oisans -  65 mi (105 km)     Altitude Gain: 7,500' (2,290 m)

via Col de la Croix de Fer

From St Jean de Maurienne we climb the col de la Croix de Fer a 6,800 ft(2067 m) pass and continue down the valley to the base of Alpe D'Huez in Bourg D'Oisans. Bourg D'Oisans is a mecca for all cyclists with the look and feel of the Tour de France.

• Col de la Croix de Fer - 2067 m

Day 7

Ride: Alpe d'Huez -  22 mi (35 km)           

Climb of the Alpe d'Huez and transfer back to Geneva.

• Alpe d'Huez - 1839 m / 13 km / 8.5% Ave

Day 8

Departure           

Today is the day for departures. Depending on you flight schedule additional cycling is available.