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August 17 – GENEVA
Arrive Geneva airport and transfer by van to our hotel in nearby Ferney-Voltaire. You’ll have the remainder of the day to relax and get settled, assemble your bike or tandem, explore the
village, or take a nap. Our get-acquainted dinner tonight is at the hotel, and will be followed by an overview of the tour.
August 18 - TALLOIRES -
49mi, 3500ft altitude gain
Our tour 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 lush meadows on our way to the Alps and the town of Annecy. At the base of Mont Salève, the road splits
and we take the low road, climbing only 1000ft to the town of Cruseilles. Here we will have the first of many wonderful, civilized mid-day meals. After lunch, rolling hills and a long gradual descent brings us to Annecy. Situated on the
shores of Lac d’Annecy and completely surrounded by high cliffs, this town is in one of the most beautiful settings in all of Europe. Its hilltop castle, pedestrian-only streets of the Old Town, and the many canals through town make this
a remarkable city. Our hotel is situated in the center of Talloires; a peaceful town just down-lake with numerous shops and a wonderful pedestrian walk along Lac d’Annecy.
August 19 - TALLOIRES - 25mi, 300ft -or- 40mi, 5300ft
The city
of Annecy is one of the most beautiful in Europe and is nicknamed the Venice of the Alps because of the canals flowing through the old town. We are free today to enjoy a leisurely ride around Lac d’Annecy with plenty of time for
exploring Annecy on foot and enjoying a peaceful lunch along the canal. There is an optional ride around the lake, up the Crêt de Chatillon, and down one of the best descents of the entire tour. But then again, it would be difficult to
argue against just relaxing and enjoying the lovely setting of our hotel with its pool and gardens near the lake.
August 20 - CHAMPAGNEUX - 56mi, 1000ft -or- 60mi, 4000ft We leave Annecy winding our way over lush green hills, and out through
the Val du Fier to the Rhone River. For a short time we actually follow the Rhone south to the beautiful canal town of Chanaz. Here we will take lunch sitting in the shade of an umbrella on the docks that line that canal, as small boats
cruise between the Rhone river and Lac du Bourget (France’s largest lake). From here it is an all down-river ride to the quiet country inn where we will spend the evening and enjoy an unforgettable meal.
August 21 - RENCUREL - 61mi, 4800ft
The first half of today’s ride will be on more small roads through the foothills of the Massif de la Chartreuse, eventually dropping down to cross the Isère River. Lunch will be in a garden restaurant at the foot of the cliffs
surrounding the Vercors. This afternoon we do our one big climb - 3000ft to the Col de Romeyère, and along the way we will encounter one of cycling’s great little moments - a road chiseled into the face of a 1000ft vertical cliff!
Rencurel sits high in an alpine valley surrounded by meadows and steep cliffs, with the mellow clanging of cowbells in the distance.
August 22 - RENCUREL - 33mi, 1700ft -or- 49mi, 3200ft The Vercors, now a Parc Natural Régional, is so
spectacular and unique that it’s tempting to try and cycle every road of the 40x25 mile area. We start by cycling up the Gorge de la Bourne; here the roads are carved into the lower sides of cliffs so high that sunlight is minimal -
making it difficult to take photos of this amazing place. Then we go up the Gorge du Meaudret into a beautiful open valley. The longer route continues up the valley to the very end; here, a tunnel leads us through the mountains,
terminating at the cliffs on the other side, with spectacular views of the Chartreuse to the north. We’ll continue climbing to the ridgeline and traverse the entire length of the valley where there will be great views to the east with
Grenoble in the valley below. Another option for the day is to do nothing more than sit by the pool and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
August 23 - MONTÉLIER 62mi, 4500ft Today we will see some of the Vercors’ most spectacular scenery.
Since there are many variations on the route, here is our favorite option. Some gradual climbing and descending will take us to the top of the Grand Goulets, where the narrowness of the gorge allows only a ray or two of sunshine, thus
creating a world of cool shaded mossy rock walls dripping with delicate ferns and tiny waterfalls. On to La Chapelle-en-Vercors and an easy ascent of the Col de Carri, after which we’ll descend (!) to the Col de la Machine and an early
lunch. Traversing a high narrow ridge to the Col de la Bataille, we’ll marvel at the beautiful views to the south and north. Then we are treated to a well-deserved, gradual but exhilarating 23-mile descent to our hotel in the town of
Montélier. August 24-
VAISON-LA-ROMAINE - 67mi, 4500ft
Heading south we leave the lush greenery of the Vercors and enter the dryer climate of Provence. This day will have dramatic changes in both scenery and culture. First stop is in Crest where its forboding tower has guarded the entrance of
the Drôme valley for centuries. Leisurely riding over a series of quiet roads through the Montagne des Couspeaux region brings us to Vaison, one of Provence’s most historic cities. Our hotel, high in the old city, with its courtyards,
pool, outstanding view of the city below, exquisitely furnished rooms, and wonderful meals, make this three-day stay most remarkable.
August 25 - VAISON-LA-ROMAINE
- 28mi, 1500ft
A much needed rest day is most appropriate for today, market day
in Vaison la Romaine. Vaison’s market is considered one of the best in all of Provence. Market day is France’s answer to the mall; it comes once a week, and is more than buying and selling - it is a happening, a social event, showtime,
and of course a visual feast. Beautifully laid tables of fruits, vegetables, spices, olives and tapinades, breads, honeys, stalls of meats and fish, cheeses, pizzas and other prepared foods, not to mention clothes, fabrics, hardware, tapes
and CDs, jewelry, wine.....and on and on, more than is ever found at a mall. For those who can’t stay off their tandems or bikes, there will be a short afternoon ride to Buis, for coffee and back again, 28 miles.
August 26 - VAISON-LA-ROMAINE
- 42mi, 1600ft Today's ride is a leisurely loop around the Dentelles de Montmirail, lace-like mountains, where we’ll stop in some beautiful and quiet old villages before returning to Vaison. Part of this loop is
on the famous “Route du Vin” of the well known Côte du Rhône wine region which includes the villages of Seguret, Gigondas, Sablet, Vacqueras, and Baume de Venise. These towns are all beautiful and deserve exploration on foot. If you
are thinking about bringing home some good French wine, Gigondas is your best bet for great quality. An option for today if you’re not up to serious wine tasting, is the challenge of nearby Mont Ventoux, a mere 5000 ft of altitude gain -
much of it at 11% grade. The view from the summit and the thrilling descent, not to mention the bragging rights, make this climb an experience of a lifetime.
August 27 - SISTERON - 68 mi, 3300 ft We will cycle beneath the north face of Mont Ventoux as we enter the best lavender growing region in France. This time of year is the beginning of the lavender harvest season, and the heady perfume of this flower will lull us into a slow pace as we gradually climb to the Col de
Macuègne. From here it is all down hill through the Gorges de Méouge, where you’ll find many swimming holes; if it’s hot, a stop and refreshing swim is just the thing. Situated on the Beuch River where it cuts through a small
mountain range, Sisteron’s location is both strategic and dramatic, with the imposing Citadel on one side and the vertically layered cliffs of Montagne de la Baume on the opposite side. Find the place in the maze of interesting side
streets where Napoleon had lunch in Sisteron on his return to France from exile on Elba.
August 28 - MOUSTIERS Ste MARIE
- 50 mi, 2000 ft -or- 62 mi, 5000 ft Today we follow the “Route Napoleon”, heading south and staying mainly in the
river valleys until we climb up to the Plateau de Valensole - or we can take a totally awesome climb up and through a series of four mountain valleys where the Romans built Theopolis, city of the gods. Moustiers, known for its
delicately-painted ceramics, as well as the stream which flows out of the cliff and through the center of town, sits at the base of two sheer cliffs whose summits serve as a springboard for the colorful para-sailors. This is a village well
worth exploring, including the hike up to the small chapel on the cliffs above the town. Dinner will be on your own tonight at one of the many delightful restaurants in this picturesque town.
August 29 - CASTELLANE - 28 mi, 2300 ft -or- 52 mi,
3300 ft The Grand Canyon du Verdon is one of the most impressive natural wonders of Europe, yet it was not discovered until 1905. Of course the locals knew it well, but its remoteness kept it hidden from the world. Agriculturally useless,
and almost inaccessible, the 13 mile canyon has sheer limestone cliffs 1000 to 3000 ft high and less than one-half mile apart. As we begin our climb at the beginning of the canyon, we see the first of many spectacular views - the brilliant
opaque blue of Lac de Ste. Croix, formed by a dam at its western end. Far below numerous stunning viewpoints is the Verdon river snaking its way eastward. From these viewpoints a leisurely picnic can be enjoyed while watching rock climbers
honing their skills on the vertical rock walls. The narrow river valley formed by the Verdon is our pleasant, well-deserved descent into the mountain village of Castellane.
August 30 - VENCE - 55mi, 2800ft -or- 70mi, 3800ft We’ll make the
most of today, our last day of cycling through this infinitely varied and amazing part of France, and choosing a route is the hard part - with so much from which to choose. The short route climbs three small cols and three alpine valleys
before swooping down to the town of Gourdon, which is a must for lunch. Perched high on the cliffs of the Gorges du Loop, it has a most impressive view out to the Mediterranean and the Côte d’Azur. The longer route climbs high out of
Castellane to the Col de St Barnabe, and we spend most of the day descending tiny backroads to Vence. The uplifted limestone slabs create a beautiful mountainous route with immense views for the entire day. Lunch will be at a small,
classy, wonderfully French restaurant perched on the Esteron River where we will lounge and swim after lunch. The ride from here to Vence is one of the best of the trip, fitting for the final day. With either route, however, one has the
feeling of reluctantly leaving the mountains, but eagerly anticipating the warmth and brilliance of the Mediterranean. Farewell dinner will be at our hotel’s garden restaurant, overlooking the pool.
August 31 - Departure. Van transport is
provided to Nice-Côte d'Azur airport
COST:
$2750.00 per person, Double Occupancy.
$500.00 Single 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 and Nice airports
·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 final payment, including tour t-shirt, hotel lists, maps, and luggage tags. Our guidebook containing
information on what to bring, how to pack your bike for flying, equipment list, and changing currencies, will be sent upon receipt of your secondary deposit (due by March 1). All participants must possess a current passport.
TRAVEL
INSURANCE Erickson Cycle Tours strongly recommends purchasing insurance for trip cancellation, injury, illness, and loss of effects. A traveler's insurance brochure will be included in 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 we can assist with lodging for pre- and post-tour plans. For flight information, contact Des Peres Travel at
1.800.264.7717, or dptravel@primary.net. If you prefer, you may use the services of your own travel agent.
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