Biking the Champs Elysees
Posted - May 15th, 2012 in blog
Every Cyclist's Dream - Biking the Champs Elysees on D-Day
Cycling enthusiasts understand that biking is more ... read more >>
Alpes Challenging Cycling Tour - 
A Challenging Cycling without VIP access, for strong riders; July 8-14:
The Alpes is where the 2012 Tour first goes into the mountains, and you'll be among the legends on this tour! In 2012 the Tour does not visit some of the most famous Alpes cols, but you will! We put this tour together for strong riders who want to ride the classics and take in a slice of the Tour de France, but not every day in person. This Challenging Cycling offer is for those who ride seriously or want to ride hard and challenge themselves on the trophy climbs of the Tour de France. You can catch the Tour on TV every day after a strong ride and enjoy clean mountain air, charming villages, and hardy cuisine. During this trip you will be led by our professional guides who know these routes well, like only our French guides can deliver!
Some Highlights :
Climb by bike: Alpe d'Huez, Col de Galibier and Lautaret, Col de la Croix de Fer, Glandon, Madeleine, Mollard, Toussuire,
Tour viewing on 12 and 13 July
Itinerary
Click on a day to see that days itinerary.
July 8 July 9 July 10 July 11 July 12 July 13 July 14
Day 1-July 8: Arrival Day. Tour stage Belfort-Porrentruy, 154km. 
Arriving in Grenoble and group transfer to Alpe d'Huez. Plan to arrive by 1pm from the rail station at 2pm. The drive to Alpe d'Huez is about 2 hours where upon arrival we will set up bikes and prepare for big rides ahead! After a welcome meeting you have a dinner included tonight. You will meet your guides of course and they will go through the program ahead in detail. Dinner will allow you to get to know the rest of your cycling cohorts for this amazing Tour experience to follow.(D)
Hotel Info
Hotel Le Pic Blanc
3
Alpes D'Huez
The hotel Le Pic Blanc is located in Alpe d'Huez, a ski-resort called the sunshine island for its ex...
July 9. Tour stage Arc et Senans to Besancon, Time Trial, 38km. To get this cycling trip started off right we plan to ride the famed 21 switchbacks of Alpe d'Huez. Start with a sharp descent and then a warm up ride to the town of Berard over very steep roads with a long, gradual warm up. Return back via Les Deux Alpes and the chairlift to ascend Alpe d'Huez. (13km at 8%). Return to the hotel in time to see the top GC riders in the ITT on TV. Dinner included again tonight. (B,L,D)
Hotel Info
Hotel Le Pic Blanc
3
Alpes D'Huez
The hotel Le Pic Blanc is located in Alpe d'Huez, a ski-resort called the sunshine island for its ex...
July 10; Tour Rest Day. We leave Alpe d'Huez today, and without a Tour stage to follow, we can ride all day. First, down the technical descent of the Alpe d'Huez to Bourg d'Oisans you have a few flat kilometers to warm up before the serious climbing of the Col de Lautaret (34km at 3.8%) and Col de Galibier (8.5km at 6.9%), as you struggle remember the effort of Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans on the slopes of the Galibier in 2011! We will have a picnic from this high ground, then descend all the way to St Jean en Maurienne. From here its by van to the hotel, or for the strong, you can ride the remaining 30km at about 5.1% to the hotel. 93 or 128 km total riding! Dinner included tonight. (B,L,D)
Hotel Info
Chalet Hotel de La Balme
2
Saint Sorlin d'Arves
La Balme, installed directly on the slopes, two steps from the village center, welcomes you in a atm...
July 11; Tour stage: Macon to Bellegard; 194km. From your hotel you will ride out to conquer the Col de la Madeleine, a difficult climb at 19km and 8% average grade. On the return, if you have the legs, you can pass over the Col de Glandon (21km at 7%). Overall 85km from St Jean de Maurienne. Return to watch the stage finish in Bellegard on TV; then dinner on your own tonight. (B,L)
Hotel Info
Chalet Hotel de La Balme
2
Saint Sorlin d'Arves
La Balme, installed directly on the slopes, two steps from the village center, welcomes you in a atm...
July 12; Tour stage Albertville-La Toussuire; 140km. The Tour passes right by the hotel and so you don't have to go far to see the pros grinding it out. You can choose to stay at the hotel to watch, or ride up the road to the Col de la Croix de Fer or Col du Mollard; or on the final climb to La Toussuire. If you go up to the Croix de Fer you would have time to redescend to the hotel to see the finish on TV. Dinner on your own tonight. (B,L)
Hotel Info
Chalet Hotel de La Balme
2
Saint Sorlin d'Arves
La Balme, installed directly on the slopes, two steps from the village center, welcomes you in a atm...
July 13; Tour stage St Jean de Maurienne to Annonay; 220km. Another and last occasion to see the pros in action; you can leave on your ride, like the pros, from St Jean de Maurienne and go up the other side of the Col de la Croix de Fer; or subject to the time available attempt to ride the Telegraph and Galibier. After, a van transfer will take the group to Grenoble for the last night. Dinner altogether and a time to retell the stories of great rides over the last few days.. (B,L,D)
Hotel Info
Hotel Mercure Grenoble President
3
Grenoble
Situated in a pleasant, green location, 10 minutes from the city center and TGV train station, the M...
July 14; Tour stage: ST Paul les Trois Chateaux to Cap d'Agde, 215km. Departure day; you are free to depart on your own. Trains from Grenoble to Lyon and Paris possible; flights from nearby Lyon airport accessible by express bus. Additional nights and travel services available with advance reservations. (B)
What's Included
All lodging in charming 2 and 3 star star hotels, all breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches, 4 dinners according to the itinerary, 2 professional cycling guides, van transportation throughout, support vehicle for rides, all Tour viewing mentioned, souvenir Discover France TDF jersey, energy kit including gels, bars, and drink mix, route book for rides, and Pre-Travel documentation. We also provide Pre & Post tour travel services such as help with trains, Paris hotels, rental cars and other services.
Tour Rates
PRICE
| per person in double occupancy | Euros: 2699 | |
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| single supplement | Euros: 305 |
(convert from euros)
Single supplement: please contact us .
Special Tour de France terms apply.
Photos & Videos
See more of this region by clicking through below Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer |
Videos |
Bike Info
Bike rentals are available on a first come, first served basis. We offer Look 566 carbon road bikes; rate is 210 euros. See the links above or click on our Rental Page link to know more.
If you choose to bring your own bike for this trip; please plan to travel with it on the airlines. Shipping bikes via Fedex or similar freight service is prohibitively expensive.
Maps & Daily Profiles
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Alpe D'Huez - Venosc (berarde)
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Alpe d'huez - St sorlin
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Loop st sorlin Madeleine-Glandon
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St Sorlin la Toussuire
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St Sorlin - Allemont
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About Us |
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Phone (US/Canada): (800) 960-2221 |
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© 2012 Tour de France Tours |
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