While this trip follows the stages of the 2003 Tour de France, it does
not take place during the Tour.
August 29th, 2003 -
September 5th, 2003
Given the limited number
of spots we had for our Tour de France trips and that these trips
filled up rapidly, we thought we would offer those who didn't manage
to get in, as well as those who just couldn't make it in July a chance
to experience the next best thing; a spot in our Post-Tour trip!
You will be able to watch
the Tour, then experience the Alps / the Pyrenees and know exactly how it
feels.
2003 TOUR DE FRANCE - "The Climbs of the Tour" PACKAGE
August 2003 - Price: $2250
/ 8 Days – 8 Nights
- Day 1 -
Pick-up at Geneva airport late morning.
The pick-up time and exact location will be determined once we have most
of your travel arrangements.
From Geneva airport we will
transfer to Annecy where we will set up the bikes, relax from the
traveling, visit the "Small Venice of the North" and spend the
evening.
- Day 2 -
Cycling parts of: Tour Stage 7 /
Lyon - Morzine / 226.5km (141 miles)
Here we are! The Alps!
Leaving by bike from the Hotel in Annecy we will catch up with the
Tour route and cycle to Morzine. Today's climbs include the Col de la Ramaz
and Cote des Gets.
Mileage for the day is 52 miles with an option to
add 15 more miles.
We will spend the evening in the Heart of the Alps at St Jean de
Maurienne to rest before tomorrow's big day!
- Day 3 -
Cycling
parts of: Tour Stage
8 /
Sallanches - Alpe d'Huez / 211km (130 miles)
It's Alpe
d'Huez Day!!!
Of course we should point out that there is a bit of a climb before
getting to the Alpe d'Huez;
the Galibier!
We will ride from St Michel de Maurienne up the Telegraphe and up, up, up, to the top of the
first "Hors Category". Of course what goes up - must come down, so you
will enjoy a "nice" downhill on the way to the Col du
Lautaret. From the Lautaret we
head East toward l'Alpe-d'Huez and its 21 switch-backs.
Mileage for the day is 63 miles (the last 8 miles are strictly
downhill though)
- Day 4 -
Cycling parts of: Tour Stage 9 /
Bourg d'Oisans - Gap / 184.5km (115 miles)
Yesterday was the Alpe
d'Huez. Today is the Col d'Izoard!
We will be riding from the
hotel up the Col du Lautaret through Briancon and be within 3 or 4 miles
from the Italian border before going up the Col de l'Izoard. Then its
a nice ride down to Embrun and the "Lac de Serre".
This is the last mountain stage for the Alps. Today's ride is 75
mile and another 20 miles
can be cycled as an option to finish the stage route and cycle all the
way to Gap.
Tonight is one of our favorite stops in a hotel/restaurants which
we discovered many years ago. Be prepared for a feast!
- Day 5 -
Cycling parts of: not
on the 2003 Tour
So today is a bit of a detour from the
Tour route which would've been cycling from Gap to Marseille. But this
is a "Climbing Trip" and since we are in the area, we couldn't help
going by the Mont Ventoux.
This is one of France's most famous and difficult climb. About 4
miles from the top the landscape becomes "lunar" and the elements have
free range.
Mileage for the day; 60 (including the downhill from
Mont Ventoux to finish the ride!)
The evening will be spent in the beautiful city of Avignon
- Day 6 -
Cycling parts of: Tour Stage 11 /
Narbonne -
Toulouse / 160km (100 miles)
The riding today is optional. Those who wish to ride
will be able to remain in the saddle for most of the day. The cycling
is flat to rolling as we go from Carcassonne to Toulouse for the
overnight.
Those who wish to take a break will stroll the
street of the fortified medieval city before transferring to Toulouse.
Mileage: 60 miles
- Day 7 -
Cycling parts of: Tour Stage 13 / Toulouse -
Plateau de Bonascre / 197.5km (123 miles)
or
Cycling parts of: Tour Stage 14 /
Saint Girons - Loudenvielle / 191.5km (119
miles)
The Pyrenees!!!
2 riding
Options today; The choice will be yours to decide amongst yourselves:
Option 1: Ride from the area of Mirepoix
to the top of the Col de Pailheres (elev. 2001m - 6560') then back
down before heading up the Plateau de Bonascre. (Stage
#13). 73 Miles.
Option 2: Ride from Castillon to the col
de Peyresourde, meaning we would hit 4 of the 6 "cols" of this
stage (Stage #14). 61 Miles
The choice should be made not only based on the previous days of cycling
but also on tomorrow's final cycling day.
We ride from the area of Lannemezan and go up the Col d'Aspin,
then the famous Tourmalet and up to Luz-Ardiden; an appropriate finish
for a "Best of the 2003 Tour climbs".
The total ride today clocks
in at 65 miles.
The final evening will
be spent in Toulouse.
Here is recap of the riding, day by day with
mileage;
Day 1: 0 Miles - Bike set-up and briefing
Day 2: 52 to 67 Miles - Col de la Ramaz and Cote des
Gets
Day 3: 62 Miles - Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier
and Alpe d'Huez
Day 4: 68 to 88 Miles - Col du Lautaret, Col de
l'Izoard, and Optional - Cote de Saint Appolinaire and Cote de la
Rochette
Day 5: 60 Miles - Mont Ventoux
Day 6: Off day or 60 flat to rolling miles
Day 7: 61 or 73 Miles - Col de Pailheres and Plateau
de Bonascre OR the last 4 climbs of stage 14
Day 8: 65 Miles - Col de l'Aspin, Tourmalet and Luz
Ardiden
Basically everything from the time we pick up in Geneva to the time we drop off
in Toulouse, but
to be more specific:
- Transfer from Airport and to Train-Station
- Hotel room based on double occupancy
- 1 Van for transportation
- 1 Support Van
- All breakfasts at the hotels - Lunches picnic style
- Dinners - throughout the trip
- Support staff for Mechanics, setting up (disassembling)
bike, guiding throughout the cycling, translation and various
support
- Visits as time allows
- Detailed
cue-cards, directions, maps, profile of stages, etc.
- Other "goodies"
This cycling trip obviously caters to the stronger riders. We have made
provisions for non-cyclists who wish to accompany a riding partner. Group
size is limited to 12 to 14 people.
Ironman France
