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A climbers
challenge!
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August 2nd to August
10, 2008 |
An incredible road deserved an incredible trip. We are
happy to offer the Route des Grandes Alpes again in 2008!
From 660km (412miles) and up to 865km (540miles)
will link Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea. On the way, the bigger
part of the Alps.
This trip crosses the French Alps from North to South.
From the banks of Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea. Along the way...
many of the climbs you have come used to knowing by name; Col des Aravis,
Cormet de Roselend, col de l'Iseran, col du Telegraphe, col du Galibier,
col du Lautaret, Alpe d'Huez, col d'Izoard and many more.
The total distance and number of climbs will vary slightly
as there are a few different options available to riders of different
skills and those who want to take it "easy" one day, but for those who
wish to ride it all; 865km and 20 climbs are possible!
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Click on Map For bigger picture |
info@customgetaways.com |
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A bit of HISTORY behind this road:
Early 20th Century; innovation is the order
of the day. There is great faith in progress of all kinds... particularly
for roads, opening the Alps to mass tourism.
1909 - The Touring Club de
France initiates work on the Route des Grandes Alpes.
1913 - The Company Paris-Lyon-Mediterranee organizes the
inaugural run of the Route de Grandes Alpes in five one-day stages
1914/18 - WW1 brings work to a stand-still
1930 - It now only takes 1.5 days to drive from Nice to
Chamonix
1937 - Albert Lebrun, French President, inaugurates
the Iseran pass - highest road pass in Europe
1970 - The Cormet de Roselend pass is opened
1995 - The route links Thonon les Bains to Menton at
whatever pace you choose!
2008 - Your turn to try the Route des Grandes Alpes!
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info@customgetaways.com
ITINERARY
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- Day 1 - |
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Hotel location: near Thonon |
| Pick-up at Geneva airport. The pick-up time
will be determined once we have everyone's travel arrangements
(probably mid-day). |
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Our hotel marks the starting point of our journey through the
Alps. We will use this afternoon to setup bikes and take a warm up
ride in the area to make sure everything is in proper working
condition. Plenty of hills around to go through all the gears!
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- Day 2 - |
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Hotel location: Les Saisies |
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Abondance - Les Saisies / 125km |
Col des Aravis |
Our first stage
along the Route des Grandes Alpes will put us right in the mood.
Several passes are on the menu today, including the gentle climb to les Gets, col de la
Colombiere and col des Aravis. The climb to Les Saisies
will finish off the day where we put our trusted steeds and ourselves
to rest for the evening.
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Les Saisies |
Col de Colombiere |
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- Day 3 - |
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Les Saisies - Val d'Isere / 81km |
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Our second stage will
feature two "goodies". The first climb of the day will be the
Cormet de Roselend. This climb is featured in the 2005 Tour de
France. It will be important to pace yourself in this climb as the
second climb consists on the first half of the col de l'Iseran. From
Bourg St Maurice, the climb to the top of the Iseran pass is 48km
(30miles!). There is a welcome break in the ski resorts of Tignes and
Val d'Isere which is where we will stop for the day. Past Val d'Isere the road will take you through a glacier
to the top at 9200'. The day will then finish with the downhill of the
col d'Iseran and we will settle for the evening at the base of the
climb. |
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Cormet de Roselend |
Col de l'Iseran |
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- Day 4 - |
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Val d'Isere - Briancon / 161km / stage #9 of the
2007 Tour de France |
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This is the same stage as
stage #9 of the 2007 Tour de France. Given the distance and terrain it
will be very important to pace yourself while riding the 17km climb
for the hotel to the top of the col de l'Iseran. Then we will
visit another monument of cycling... quite possibly THE monument of
cycling; the col du Galibier! Before we tackle the col du
Galibier however, we will pay a visit to it's inseparable pal; the
col du Telegraphe. The top of the Galibier features a monument
honoring the memory of Tour de France founder Henry Desgrange. The
Tour de France now goes through the tunnel at the top of the Galibier
and you may choose to do so, we would encourage everyone however to do
the complete climb and push to the very top. The good news is that
from the top of the Galibier it is all downhill to get to Briancon
(34km worth) and to our hotel for the next 2 nights! |
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Col du Telegraphe |
Col Galibier |
Col du Telegraphe + Galibier |
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- Day 5 - |
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Rest Day OR ride Alpe d'Huez |
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Various ride options are
possible, but historically, most have enjoyed a van ride up to the top
of the col du Lautaret and riding from there to Alpe d'Huez!
No need to introduce the 21 switchbacks that have made this climb
famous. If you wish to ride back to the hoel, it will be necessary to
ride the 34km up the col du Lautaret, and downhill again to
Briancon. A stop in Bourg d'Oisans to load up on
Alpe d'Huez Jerseys and souvenirs is almost mandatory. |
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Alpe d'Huez |
Col du Lautaret |
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- Day 6 - |
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Briancon - Jausiers / 90km |
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We leave our
hotel and finish off the 6km to the top of the col du Lautaret. This
will be followed by an enjoyable 25km downhill to Briancon. In
Briancon we will take the direction of the col d'Izoard, last
visited by the Tour de France in 2003 (Beloki's fall in the downhill
and Armstrong's "cross country" adventure). The day will end
going up the col de Vars, followed by the downhill to Jausiers
and our hotel for the evening. |
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Col d'Izoard |
Col de Vars |
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- Day 7 - |
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Jausiers - Valberg / 80km (or 100km) |
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Several climbs
are featured for the day. While less severe than some on the climbs
encountered in the previous few days and possibly less famous, these
are still Alpine climbs and should be treated as such. The first climb
of the day is the col de
Cayolle. You will then be able to enjoy a long downhill and
recuperate before tackling the difficult climb to Valberg. We
couldn't resist to offer those feeling very well and finishing each
ride with ample time, the opportunity to climb the highest pass
featured on this trip; the col de la Bonette (2802m) .The
itinerary would then take the col de la Bonette, col
de la Couillole (from the East) and arrive with a climb to Valberg
from the East.
This itinerary stretches the ride to 100km and makes
for a difficult day in the saddle!
Evening in Valberg
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 Climb to Valberg from West |
Col de Cayolle |
Col de Couillole from East |
Col de la Bonette |
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- Day 8 - |
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Valberg - Villefranche sur Mer / 150km |
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Our final stage will take
us to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. First a couple of
difficulties; the col de Couillole just outside of Valberg,
followed by the col de Turini. These are the 2 difficulties of
the day, the final climb up the col du Castillon will seem
almost flat after a week of terrific climbing. |
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Col de Couillole |
Col du Turini |
Col de Castillon |
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- Day 9 - |
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End of Trip / We will be transferring to Nice
Airport |
info@customgetaways.com
WHAT'S INCLUDED
| - Transfer from Geneva Airport and to Nice Airport
(or train Station) |
| - Hotel room based on double occupancy |
| - Support Vehicle with water and snacks. |
| - All breakfasts and Dinners with wine - throughout the trip |
| - Bike Mechanic/guide, support staff. Bike guide is
local from the Southern Alps |
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Cue-Cards, directions, maps, profiles of
stages, etc... |
| - Luggage transfer |
| - Other "goodies" |
info@customgetaways.com
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