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July 10 - 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 11 - Eloise - 40mi 1300ft
elevation gain
We leave Ferney Voltaire heading towards the looming Jura
Mountains just to the west. The Col de la Faucile, one of the
highlights of this years 'Tour' route, awaits anyone wishing to
tackle this 3000 ft climb (followed by a 3300 ft descent); the
rest of us will traverse the base of the steep mountainside.
This is a quiet farming road, rolling continually downhill,
through small villages and pastures until we cross the Rhone
River. Here the Rhone has punched through this last ridge of the
Jura, leaving a dramatic gorge. It is a gradual climb along a
wooded hillside from the Rhone to the village of Eloise and the
first of many wonderful hotels. The remaining afternoon should
be spent lounging by the pool and catching up on any needed
napping, or of course, watching the Tour stage finish 'live' on
TV.
July 12 - Champagneux - 54mi 3000ft or 43mi,
minimal climbing
Before the Rhone turns to the west and to the broad valley that
takes it to the Mediterranean, it must first negotiate the
western edge of the Alps as it cuts through the high mountains
on either side. This is the most beautiful section of the Rhone
river, and is the exact route we must take to our inn at
Champagneux. Lunch is a must at the flower-adorned village
of Chanaz, where you can watch boats make their way lazily up
and down the Canal de Savières. Here the more adventurous can
climb the Mont de la Charvaz and the Col du Chat, high above
France’s largest lake, Lac du Bourget. From this ridge, the
views of the lake and the high Alps to the east are magnificent.
For the wine lovers, we can climb to a secluded vineyard covered
valley and perhaps have a tasting of these little known,
northern Rhone wines. Our hotel is a true country inn with a
very reputable restaurant. Dinner will be served on the terrace.
July 13 – Rencurel - 61mi, 4800ft
We will spend the morning meandering through quaint villages,
pretty valleys, and riding over meadow-clad hills of the Col des
Mille Martyrs; but the afternoon presents a true challenge. We
are faced with the vertical walls surrounding the Vercors
region. Time and water have shaped these high limestone cliffs
leaving us few options to enter this well- protected area. The
only roads leading into the Vercors are chiseled into vertical
cliffs and along deep gorges. The ease of defending these roads
is why this area was the center of the French Resistance. Our
route climbs the sheer cliff face below the Col de Romeyère
before dropping to Rencurel. Surrounded by meadows and steep
cliffs, our hotel in Rencurel has one of the most beautiful
settings imaginable.
July 14 - Rencurel - Rest Day or Loop Ride, 31mi,
3000ft or 60mi, 6300ft
The Vercors, now a Parc Natural Regional, is so spectacular and
unique that it’s tempting to try and cycle every road of the
40x25 mile area. However this is a rest day, so our route is
easy. But this is a very special route. The Tour de France
rarely ventures into these rugged, cliff-surrounded mountains,
but not only are they coming here on July 20th, the peloton will
climb one of the smallest most remote roads in the region,
before descending to Villard de Lans for the stage finish. We
will ride this same section. After a leisurely lunch in Villard,
we will descend to our hotel through one of the most amazing
gorges you will ever have the pleasure to cycle. The Gorge de la
Bourne is a deep dark gorge where 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. A longer
route takes us up the cliffs of the Combe Laval, the 'hard'
climb of the 15th stage of the Tour de France, before connecting
with our easier route to Villard. Or you can choose to do
nothing more than soak up the sun’s rejuvenating rays, lounging
by the pool.
July 15 – Chichilliane - 67mi, 5800ft
After yesterday’s rest (???), we are ready to head out on one of
the most amazing rides of the entire trip. Some gentle climbing
and descending will take us to the top of the Grands 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. On to La
Chapelle en Vercors for a pastry, then we have a gentle climb up
to the Col de Rousset. The view from here is stunning. The many
switchbacks of the long gradual descent lie before us like a
ribbon carelessly strewn from the hillside to the valley floor
in the distance below us. We are entering the northern edge of
Provence and we will see a few brilliant purple fields of
lavender on our way into the village of Die. After a lunch of
Provencal specialties, we must climb the Col de Menée. A short
descent brings us to our hotel, an old castle nestled beneath
the looming vertical walls of Mont Aiguille. After the long day
on the bike, we will certainly want to spend the remainder of
the afternoon relaxing by the pool.
July 16 -
Le Bourg d’Oisans - 54mi, 4100ft
Starting the day at an elevation of 3300 ft means that we have
an easy, mostly downhill ride to Mens and our first patisserie
stop of the day. Alas, roads that go down must go back up, and
down and up again, before we reach la Mure. This is a busy,
bustling, town and a good stop for more pastries or lunch; the
big mountains of the Alps lie ahead. The Col d’Ornon is an easy
introduction to the alpine peaks waiting for us, and the descent
into le Bourg d’Oisans will give us good look at what the coming
days will bring.
The village will be packed end to end with cyclists eagerly
cycling all the famous roads while waiting for the coming Tour
de France. Our hotel is in the center of town directly across
from the local bike shop, where the pro jerseys will be selling
like crispy creams on Sunday morning.
July 17 - Le Bourg d’Oisans - 16mi, 3000ft, or 36mi, 6000ft
Le Bourg d’Oisans to 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 to watch
the 'Tour', as well as 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, and the coming time trial stage up this road may produce
an even faster time. So here is your opportunity to test your
skills against the best of the pro’s. As you climb the 21
numbered switchbacks, you will have no trouble recognizing the
names of cycling heroes written all over the road like some
giant billboard. After lunch in the village, descend back to the
hotel and catch the “Tour” on TV, or continue over the Col de
Sarenne, a most beautiful route including a spectacular traverse
along the cliffs 2000 feet above the valley below.
July 18 – Allevard/Pinsot - 52mi, 1400, or 66mi, 5500ft
We leave the bustle and excitement of Bourg D’Oisans and head
for the remote and quiet village of Pinsot. Nineteen miles and
1500 feet of downhill brings us to Vizille, where we head up a
small valley to Uriage. Here the long route climbs high on the
ridge and traverses the Belledonne mountain chain. It is up and
down on a quiet winding mountain road that eventually drops us
down into Allevard. The views of the Vercors and the Chartreuse
mountains across the Isère valley will keep us continuously
gawking and stopping for photos, while the many roller coaster
downhills will keep our grins wide. The low route follows the
Isère valley to the town of Allevard, then we continue up a
small side valley to our beautifully-situated hotel in the
alpine village of Pinsot.
July 19 - Albertville - 34mi, 150ft or 47mi, 3000ft,
Our end-of-the-day destination is so nearby, that one could
easily be tempted to head straight to Albertville and relax at
our very classy hotel, or stroll the streets and do a little
shopping/sightseeing. However, the hills and low mountains
through which our more difficult routes zigzag are simply
gorgeous. After our gradual descent from Pinsot, we climb and
traverse through a series of valleys, with spectacular views of
the steep, green hills on either side. Finally we will ascend
the Col du Grand Cucheron, a small climb by Tour de France
standards, but nonetheless an official Col challenged by the
1998 Tour de France. With the exception of another beautiful
hillside traverse, the rest of the ride is along small roads
adhering to the valley floor. Anyone desiring a really big
challenge can add the Col de la Madeleine making for a 74mi,
8400ft day. Our hotel is located in the center of town, but
well-appointed and quiet, and featuring first-class cuisine.
July 20 – Albertville - rest day, or 25mi, 1650ft, or Cormet
de Roselend loop, 53 mi, 6000ft
Our short optional ride to Beaufort is a gentle climb up a lush
farming valley. This alpine village is a must stop for pastry
and coffee, plus a tour of the cheese factory where the
well-known Beaufort cheese is made. If you continue on from
here, the real climbing soon begins, but what a rich reward
you’ll have. The lower section consists of 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. An
auxiliary disk or drum brake is mandatory for tandem teams!
Before returning to our hotel, a small cutoff above town takes
us to the old, walled section of Albertville; little has changed
here in the last 300 years.
July
21 - Talloires - 24mi, 1900ft, or 56mi, 3300ft
Our first pastry stop is a mere 13 miles down the Isère river
valley. We then ascend the Col du Frene to a series of high
mountain valleys. The beautiful setting, the small roads with
very little traffic except for other cyclists, presents some of
the most idyllic cycling anywhere. The final descent brings us
to Lac d’Annecy, one of the prettiest mountain regions in
Europe. The town of Annecy is one of the most beautiful in
Europe and is known as the Venice of the Alps with its myriad of
canals flowing through the old town. Lunch and a little
exploring is a must. The short ride follows this year’s Tour de
France route over the Col de Tamie and beautiful descent to the
lake. Our beautiful 4 star hotel, an old converted abbey, is
situated on the shore of the lake in the village of Talloires,
just up from the larger town of Annecy.
July 22 – Talloires 24mi, 300ft, or 36 mi, 2600ft
Today is the big day, the day we have all been anticipating, the
arrival of the Tour de France. The crowds will be amazing, with
hundreds of thousands of cycling fans lining the roads from
Bourg d’Oisans to le Grand Bornand, waiting for the peloton, on
this the hardest day of the Tour, 212km, 16,650ft. The route
comes within one kilometer of our hotel, so the viewing options
will be many. The Col de la Forclaz is a great choice. This
climb starts directly from the hotel and traverses up the cliff
sides above the lake. The summit is perched directly above the
lake, affording awesome views of the lake, the town of Annecy,
and all the surrounding mountains. Refreshments or lunch can be
had on the restaurant terrace, while parapenters soar directly
overhead on their flights across the lake. After the bike race
comes through, we can descend back to the hotel and watch the
stage finish on TV. Another great spot will be anywhere on the
climb up the Col de la Croix Fry. This is the last climb of the
stage, where there will sure to be plenty of action and where
the Tour champion may stake his claim.
July 23 – Ferney Voltaire - 55mi, 2500ft
In store for our last day of riding are rolling pastures, small
villages, gentle climbs and descents, cliff side roads,
beautiful valleys, and great mountain vistas; a potpourri of
experiences from the last two long and perhaps challenging weeks
in the Alps. However, an early departure will allow us to catch
the Tour de France stage 18, as it heads for the Col de la
Faucille, on its way through the Jura mountains. Our farewell
dinner tonight at the hotel will be an opportunity to exchange
stories, talk over our triumphs and adventures, and ponder how
we’ll ever get back into the hometown routine!
July 24 – Departure
Van transport is provided to the Geneva airport.
COST $2900.00 per person based on 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 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
Our informative 'Tour Guide' booklet will be sent upon receipt of your secondary deposit
of $500, due by March 1, containing 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, Rogue Travel, in obtaining economical,
expedient air reservations, and we are happy to assist with pre-
and post-tour accommodations. Please contact Shannon or
Steven for flight information:
800.443.9216 or shannon@mind.net |
