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JULY 8 -
GENEVA
Arrive Geneva and transfer by van to our hotel in
nearby Ferney-Voltaire. You’ll have the remainder of the day to
relax, get settled, assemble your bike, explore the village, or
just take a nap. Our get-acquainted dinner is at our hotel
tonight, followed by an overview of the tour.
JULY 9 - TALLOIRES - 62mi, 6200ft
Our ride begins as we navigate en masse through
the colorful Geneva townscape, past boulangeries, fruit vendors,
boutiques, and banks. Then suddenly the city is behind us and
we are climbing through the meadows on our way to the Alps and the town of Talloires. At the base of Mont Salève, the road splits and we can either climb
1000ft to the town of
Cruseilles - or - climb the 3000 feet to the top of Mont Salève,
with its breathtaking views of Geneva and
Mont Blanc.
A thrilling 2000ft descent brings us to Cruseilles for a picnic
lunch. From here to Talloires, the route rolls through the
foothills beneath the jagged cliffs of the high mountain peaks
above Lac d’Annecy. Situated on the shores of the lake and
completely surrounded by high cliffs, Talloires has one of the
most beautiful settings in all of Europe. Our four-star hotel,
an old converted Abbey, is located on the lakeshore, with a
wonderful tree covered terrace and a dock for sunbathing and
swimming in the clear, warm waters of the lake.
JULY 10 - ALBERTVILLE - 65mi, 7200ft-or-80mi,
10,200ft
Today will be like our very own Tour de France
stage day, as all of the climbs are regularly included in the
Tour. Our first climb is the Col de la Forclaz, which the Tour
often uses as a warm-up for the big climbs later in the day.
For us, however, it will be fairly tough, but the views of Lac
d’Annecy and the surrounding mountains make it all worthwhile.
The three major climbs ‘du jour’ are the Col de la Croix Fry,
Col d’ Aravis, and the optional climb of the Col des Saisies.
We'll enjoy a splendid evening meal to remember at our gracious
hotel located right in town.
JULY 11 – ALBERTVILLE - Cormet de Roselend Loop -
53mi, 5600ft
Our morning’s ride to Beaufort is a gentle climb
up a lush farming valley. This alpine village is a must stop
for pastry and coffee, and if you want, a tour of the cheese
factory that makes the well-known Beaufort cheese. Here the
real climbing begins, but what a beautiful climb it is. The
lower section is switchbacks through a cool forest; higher up it
opens up with immense views of lakes and rocky peaks in the
distance. Lunch is available at a small hut below the summit;
the fare is simple but the ambiance makes our meal a five-star
experience. The short climb up the Col du Pre is rewarded with
one of the best descents of the trip. Before returning to our
hotel, a small cutoff above town takes us to the old, walled
section of the town of Albertville; little has changed there in
the last 300 years.
JULY 12 -
VALLOIRE
65mi, 9500ft
Seven miles of flat river valley
allows stiff legs to warm up before starting one of the biggest
climbs of the trip, the Col de la Madeleine. This is a long,
steep (16mi, 5000ft), out-of-category climb, winding its way up
a narrow notch of a valley and passing by tiny settlements
clinging to the mountainside. Wonderful views of Mont Blanc and
other snowy peaks, hillsides covered with wildflowers, and cokes
and cafe au lait at the summit make this a most rewarding
climb. Just past the summit we will have a delicious picnic
bought in the small markets of Albertville. A long fabulous
descent takes us to the river valley below, and then we have a
long climb up a woodsy road to the Col du Telegraph, plus the
quick descent to Valloire. Only the warmth and friendliness of
the hotel staff and the appeal of the hearty meals surpass the
beauty of this alpine setting.
JULY 13 -
VALLOIRE– Tour de
France, Col du Galibier loop, 20mi, 4300ft
This is the big day, stage 8 of the Tour de
France, starting in Sallenches and finishing at Alpe d’Huez.
The Galibier/Telegraph climb is the first major test, and
biggest climb of this year’s Tour. Here is where the first
important attacks of the race will be launched, where the stage
victor and perhaps “Tour” champion will emerge. This is where
we will be watching the action. Our Van will be strategically
located with picnic supplies. Between our hotel and the summit
of the Galibier there will be as many as 100,000 excited cycling
fans. This is a great chance to experience the climb as the
pros do. Then sit back and enjoy the pre-race parade, before
Lance, and the postal team come charging up the mountain with
the remaining peloton in their wake. A quick descent to the
hotel and we can catch the finish of the stage on TV. All in
all, this will be an experience not to be forgotten.
JULY 14 - LE BOURG D’OISANS - 64mi, 8000ft –or-
41mi, 4500ft
A very fit rider, leaving early can climb the
Galibier and descend to the Col du Lautaret before the peloton
arrives during the 9th stage of the Tour. The racers
will still be warming up for the big climb of the Col d’Izoard
still ahead. The 29-mile descent to our hotel in Bourg d’Oisans
is the longest of our tour and will get us in town in time to
see the stage finish in Gap. Since most everyone climbed some
or all of the Galibier yesterday, a better choice would be the
route over the Col de la Croix de Fer. This is one of the most
scenic climbs in the Alps and should be strongly considered by
anyone with tired legs or wanting just an easier day, thus
allowing more time to spend watching the tour on TV, or relaxing
by the pool, or shopping for pro jerseys at the well-stocked
bike shop in town. Today being Bastille Day, we can expect
many festivities in town and perhaps a fireworks display.
JULY 15 - LE BOURG D’OISANS - 36mi, 5600ft
Le Bourg d’Oisans to l’Alpe d’Huez is probably
the most famous stretch of cycling road in the world. This is
cycling Mecca, as cyclists from all over Europe (and the US)
come here and ride these roads made legendary by the heroes of
the Tour de France. In 1997, Pantani set a record of 36 minutes
from the base of the climb to the finish at l'Alpe d’Huez.
Since the Tour finished here two days ago, the 21 switchbacks on
the leg-breaking, lung busting climb to the top will be painted
like a giant billboard with the names of this year’s cycling
stars. Bask in the glow of a climb well done and return down
the mountainside or continue climbing through town and head for
the Col de Sarenne. This steep, narrow valley with meadows of
long grasses waving in the gusts of wind makes this one of our
favorite cols of the whole trip. Returning to Bourg d’Oisans we
take a small side road carved into the mountain side 2000 ft
above the valley floor, and no guard rail; thank goodness for
little or no traffic along this precipitous section of road, and
the views are fantastic. This will be one of the hardest, but
most rewarding 36 miles you will ever ride.
JULY 16 – CHICHILLIANNE - 54mi, 5100ft -or- 76mi, 6300ft
After the excitement of the last few days, the
leisurely ride to Chichillianne will be a welcome relief. We
start with the beautiful climb up the Col d’Ornon, and then
descend out of the high Alps to the smaller peaks and hills of
the Trieves plateau. After a stop in la Mure for a snack or
lunch, we have an optional loop (22mi, 1200ft) along the
Corniche du Drac. This narrow road, high above the lake below,
affords great views of the east face of the mountains of the
Vercors, in particular the vertical walls of Mont Aiguille that
loom in the distance. The remainder of the ride is across the
plateau, with grand views of distant mountains in all
directions. Our hotel, an old restored chateau, run by a
retired soccer professional, sits at the base of Mont Aiguille,
a most extraordinary panorama.
JULY 17 – CHICHILLIANNE - 58mi, 6300ft
This hotel is so nice, we decided to stay here
another night. Today’s loop ride may prove to be the favorite
of our 2-week tour. The route consists of a series of small
passes and valleys that lie between a high ridge on the east and
the towering peaks of the Montagne de Lans of the Vercors to the
west. This area is definitely off the beaten track and has very
little traffic or tourist amenities, but this is certainly
surprising considering the grandeur and beauty of this
mountainous region.
JULY 18 - RENCUREL - 65mi,
6000ft, -or– 85mi, 8000ft
After 6
miles climbing in the crisp morning air, we descend the Col de
Menée
and skirt the southern cliffs of the Vercors to Die, where we
start the long climb of the Col de Rousset. This col is
frequently used in the Tour de France, the beauty of which
cannot be fully appreciated until you can look down on the
layered switchbacks from above. Some of the most amazing
scenery still awaits us. As we descend to the Col de la
Machine, the basin drops away leaving the road clinging to sheer
vertical cliffs, 1500 feet above the valley floor below. Later,
as we descend a gentle country road to a seeming dead end
valley, we notice a slit in the rock face. This is the top of
the grand Goulets, where the gorge is so narrow that hardly any
sunlight comes through, surrounding us in a cool shaded world of
mossy rock walls dripping with delicate ferns and tiny
waterfalls before opening up to huge vertical cliffs. From our
hotel’s terrace, above the pool we’ll enjoy one of the most
beautiful settings on the tour, as we are surrounded by meadows,
forests, steep cliffs and deep gorges.
JULY
19 – RENCUREL - 38mi, 6000ft, -or- 49mi, 3500ft
The Vercors, now a Parc Natural Regional, is so
spectacular and unique that it’s tempting to try and cycle every
road of the 40x20 mile area. One of our favorite rides of the
tour climbs directly from the hotel, over the Col du Mont Noir,
before dropping endlessly through the Gorge du Nan. The gorge,
with its vertical cliffs, is so beautiful that any unused film
in your camera stands little chance. We climb back up into the
Vercors before descending to the Gorge de la Bourne. Here there
are huge panoramas of vertical rock faces, continually narrowing
as the road heads upward to Rencurel. Beyond Rencurel where
the easier route heads, the gorge narrows so tightly that little
sunlight penetrates and photos are almost impossible. A
leisurely lunch in Villard de lans can be followed by a return
to our hotel and the pool. A longer route climbs up one of the
higher ridges in the Vercors and meanders along a narrow one
lane road with plenty of great views. At the northern end of
the ridge there is a tunnel through the mountain terminating on
the vertical cliffs above Grenoble, with spectacular views of
the Chartreuse mountains to the north. From here it is almost
all downhill to the Hotel.
JULY 20 – CHAMPAGNEUX - 65mi, 3200ft -or- 92mi,
7100ft
Leaving our hotel in Rencurel, we climb the small
Col de Romeyer, and as we descend out of the Vercors, we
encounter one of cycling’s great little surprises. As we exit a
small gully, we are suddenly confronted with empty space - the
road just happens to take a sharp left across a 1000ft vertical
cliff! But hold onto your helmets, as there are more of these
tummy-wrenching roads today in the Massif de la Chartreuse, our
next destination. The Chartreuse is a region very similar to
the Vercors, but about 1/3 the size and more dramatic in its
scenery. We will cycle up the Gorge du Guièrs Mort, over the
Col du Cucheron and down the Gorge du Gières Vif. From here the
route follows a beautiful valley to our hotel, a true country
inn, where we will have a wonderful evening meal.
JULY 21 - ELOISE - 70mi, 6500ft -or- 42mi, 1100ft
The Tour de France climbs many passes big and
small in the Alps, some famous, some not so famous. Today’s
route takes us up some passes that have never been ridden in the
Tour, in out of the way places and on roads too small to
interest the Tour organizers. But hold on to your handlebars,
because these are beautiful, awesome climbs, with amazing views,
tight switchback descents and narrow roads with no traffic;
probably the most enjoyable route of the entire tour. For
lunch, be sure to stop in Chanaz, a flower-decked town along the
canal connecting Lac du Bourget, France’s biggest lake, and the
Rhone river. After lunch there are two more 'petite' climbs,
and then we meander over rolling hills to our poolside afternoon
resting place. There’s also a beautiful river valley route
available for a relaxing day in the saddle.
JULY 22 - GENEVA - 68mi, 6000ft-or-46mi,
3500ft-or-28mi, 700ft
All too soon our last day arrives, and leaving
the Alps and Rhone Valley behind, we climb into the rolling Jura
mountains. The quiet roads beckon our souls to stay and enjoy
the country charms along the French-Swiss border. Riding
through the quiet Swiss villages and neatly farmed valleys, we
make our last climb up the Col de la Faucille, followed by our
final 15 mile descent to Ferney-Voltaire and our hotel.
Farewell dinner tonight at the hotel will be an opportunity to
exchange addresses, talk over our triumphs and adventures of the
last two weeks, and ponder getting back into the hometown
routine..!
JULY 23- Departure
Van transport is provided to the Geneva airport
or train station
COST:
$2750 per person based on Double Occupancy
$500 Single room supplement
INCLUDES:
·2-4 star Hotel Accommodations ·
·Breakfast daily (except
arrival day)
·Dinner daily (except one night and arrival/departure days
·Airport transfers from/to Geneva airport
·Bike mechanic and van
support with cellular phone
·Ground transportation for all passengers, luggage & bikes
·Regional map plus detailed daily route maps & cue sheets
NOT INCLUDED:
·International airfare
·Tips, gratuities, laundry, telephone, & items of a personal
nature
·Lunches and alcoholic beverages (a supplemental fee will be
charged for those who want wine with dinner, and can be prepaid
before departure)
PRE-TRIP PLANNING
A complete trip packet will be sent upon receipt of your reservation with information on what to bring, how to
pack your bike for flying, equipment list, and changing currencies. All participants must possess a current passport.
TRAVEL INSURANCE Erickson Cycle Tours strongly recommends purchasing insurance for trip cancellation, injury, illness
& loss of effects. A traveler’s insurance brochure will be included with your confirmation letter.
AIRFARE We offer the services of our travel agent, Claus Claussen of Des Peres Travel in obtaining economical, expedient air
reservations, and can assist with lodging for pre- and post-tour accommodations. For flight information contact Des Peres Travel at 800.264.7717 or dptravel@primary.net. Of course you may use your own travel agent if you prefer.
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