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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 - ANNECY
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54mi, 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 forested hills rising above the lake, with sweeping views
from the gardens and pool.
August 19 - ANNECY
-
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 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, and
its proximity to the lake and downtown Annecy.
August 20 – FAVERGES de-la-TOUR - 59mi, 3500ft
-or- up to 67 mi, 6200 ft
We leave Talloires through Annecy winding our way
over lush green hills, and out through the Val du Fier to the
Rhone River. For the rest of the day we follow the Rhone south,
including the beautiful canal town of Chanaz. Here we will take
lunch sitting in the shade of an umbrella on the docks that line
the canal, as small boats cruise between the Rhone River and Lac
du Bourget (France’s largest lake). We
continue down river, finally climbing into the hills to the
chateau where we will spend the evening relaxing and dining in
wonderful luxury.
August 21 - RENCUREL - 53mi, 4900ft
The first half of today’s ride will be on more small roads over
the large hills and through peaceful farmland of the Rhone
Valley, eventually dropping down to cross the Isère River. This
afternoon we do our one big climb into the Vercors region,
3000ft to the Col de Romeyère. 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 - Rest Day or Loop Ride, 18
mi, 1800ft –or- 31mi, 3000ft
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. An alternate longer route follows a section of
the 2004 'Tour' route up a tiny road through a remote section of
the Vercors. 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. Or if you
prefer, you can choose to do nothing more than soak up the sun’s
rejuvenating rays, lounging by the pool.
August 23 - CHABEUIL- 60mi, 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. We ride 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 beyond to the cliffs of
the Combe Laval. 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, twisting and
exhilarating, 23-mile descent to our hotel in the town of
Chabueil.
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 - CASTELLANE - 62 mi, 5000
ft
We begin our day with a somewhat rigorous climb,
following an ancient Roman
route up to a series of four alpine valleys. We’ll pass a Latin
inscription chiseled into the rock wall (look for the road sign
saying ’Pierre Ecrit’), telling the history of this route in
Roman times. Among other things, it tells of an ancient city
called Theopolis, which was built somewhere in these mountains.
After a 15-mile descent and a pleasant lunch stop, we follow the
’Route Napoleon’ up the long, gradual climb to the Col des
Leques. From here the views are grand; visible far below is
the Notre Dame du Roc, a tiny chapel perched above the village
of Castellane. The descent is, of course, winding and
fast.
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:
$3525.00 per person, Double Occupancy.
$550.00 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 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, Shannon or Steve of
Rogue Travel, in obtaining economical, expedient air reservations, and we can assist with lodging for pre- and post-tour plans. For flight information, contact
Rogue Travel at 1.800.443.9216, or
shannon@mind.net. If
you prefer you may use the services of
your own travel agent. .
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