CYCLING THE CLASSIC TOUR DE FRANCE MOUNTAINS
Vélo Monaco welcomes to an amazing cycle adventure!
Amazing Scenery
Saturday 20th August – Day 1 Arrival Annecy. Our mechanic unpack and prepare your bikes for tomorrow’s ride.
Sunday 21st August – Day 2 Lake Annecy First ride to stretch the legs after all travel and prepare for the more hillier future rides, we start with a 40 km flatter ride around Lake Annecy. The ride is 40 km in total and 230 m elevation gain, see Strava profile here
This is also the time trail Tour de France stage 2009, when Gustav finished 4th, after winning Alberto Contador.
Monday 22nd August – Day 3 Col de la Colombière Before leaving Annecy we will enjoy Col de la Colombière, altitude of 1613m. The Tour de France has climbed the col from this side 14 times in its history. The climb is 11.7 km long and with an average of 5,9%. The ride in total today is 36 km in total and 1300 m elevation gain, see Strava profile here
Tuesday 23rd August – Day 4 La Berarde Today we wake up in Alpe d’Huez region and we start with an easier ride, The route to La Berarde is incredibly quiet and scenic too.
Stop in St Christophe at the cafe to have a delicious homemade cake from the sometimes grumpy sometimes lovely old woman who runs the place. Sit out back in the sun! Today is a perfect day to combine also with some hiking later in the day.
The ride in total today is 32 km in total and 1300 m elevation gain, see Strava profile here
We can also ride back instead of taking the car. The the total ride is 64 km.
Wednesday 24rd August – Day 5 Alpe d’Huez Today we climb the beauty Alpe d’Huez.
It is 13.9 km long and 1118 m elevation gain with an average gradient of 8%. Each of the 21 switchbacks is named after a winner of this climb in the Tour de France. Afterwards we also continue part of Col de Sarenne. The ride is 24 km in total and 1450 m elevation gain, see Strava profile here
Thursday 25rd August – Day 6 Col du Galibier Starting directly on the bike outside the guests accomendation and finish 46 km later on the summit Col du Galibier. The ride is 46 km in total and 2350 m elevation gain, see Strava profile here
Beautiful French Alps
Friday 26rd August – Day 7 Travel Day Today we travel to the Pyrénées.
Saturday 27th August – Day 8 Col du Tourmalet Any climb that goes by the nickname “The Terrible Mountain” will always draw intrigue and excitement in equal measure. Steeped in cycling history the Col du Tourmalet is the highest road pass in the Hautes-Pyrénées standing proud at 2,115m above sea level. Having been featured in the Tour de France no less than 82 times it’s the most frequently used as well as being one of the most famous ascents of the race.
The ride is 46 km in total and 1820 m elevation gain, see, see Strava profile here
Sunday 28th August – Day 10 Col d’Aubisque We do a 50 min drive to get to today’s starting point. Along with the Col du Tourmalet, the Col d’Aubisque sits amongst the legends of the Pyrénées with a rich heritage in the Tour de France. The ride is 30 km in total and 1350 m elevation gain, see Strava profile here
Monday 29th August – Day 11 Greenway of the Gaves – Voie Vertes in French – provides you with a car-free cycling route to travel from Lourdes along the Vallée des Gaves. Formed from a disused railway line originally constructed at the end of the 19th Century, it was designed to take travelers to the spas located in Luz Saint-Saveur and Cauterets. The now transformed rail-trail is 18.6kms long and takes in the 12 villages dotted between Lourdes and Piereffite-Nestalas. We ride the first 13 km to Argeles-Gazost. There we stop for a coffee and ride the 13 km back to Lourdes after.
The ride is 26 km in total and 124 m elevation gain, see Strava profile here
Tuesday 30th August – Day 12 Luz Ardiden is a challenging cycling climb located in the Pyrenees that has been featured in both the Tour de France and Vuelta a España. Luz Ardiden is, without doubt, one of the most spectacular climbs in the Pyrenees. It is a favourite of cyclists due to its picturesque scenery and excellent location towering above the village of Luz Saint Sauveur.
The climb rises 993m over 13km at an average gradient of 7.6% before finishing at the ski station of Luz Ardiden.
The ride is 45 km in total and 1430 m elevation gain, see Strava profile here
After the ride today, our mechanic will prepare and pack the bikes for the flight home tomorrow.
Wednesday 31th August – Day 13 Travelday!!