HOLIDAY OFFERS - Road Cycling Holidays - Ride the Alps - Itinerary
- Day 1 - Arrive
- Day 2 - Tour of Champsaur Valley
- Day 3 - Col de Noyer
- Day 4 - Tour of the Serre Poncon Lake or Gap and Rafting!
- Day 5 - Col D'Izoard
- Day 6 - Rest day and Via Ferrata
- Day 7 - Col de Lautaret and Alpe D'Huez (Col de Galibier option!)
- Day 8 - Return home
Itinerary
Setting Off!
We may need to change the itinerary should we be unlucky with the weather - but hopefully not!!
Have a look or print off our poster and leaflet.
Day 1
SaturdayWe'll be collecting you from the airport at Marseille and driving you to the gite. What time we arrive will depend on the last person's flight arrival time. If we miss 'dinner time' at the gite, they will prepare a cold supper for when you get in.
We'll have a chat about the week and how it will be organised and answer any questions you might have.
Col de Manse
The village of St Bonnet - one of the traditional alpine villages you'll see on the Tour of Champsaur
Day 2
SundayRIDE - FULL DAY - 4 – 5 hours
TOUR of CHAMPSAUR:
This is a good warm up to the week taking in the pretty villages, farmland and wild, natural parks characteristic of the Champsaur valley. It is gently undulating with some easy climbs but nothing too steep. As it's the first day we have chosen the same ride for everyone, but we'll take two leaders, so you can naturally split into two groups to suit your speed.
The route: Piscanson – Champoleon – Prapic – Pont de fosse – St leger – Ancelle – Col de Manse – La Pleine – La Villete – St Bonnet – Benevant - Piscanson.
Led by Donald and Laurent They will tell you about the routes in the area, give you tips on technique and generally give you a good introduction to cycling in the Alps.
No vehicle support en route but there will be a van on the end of the phone if you need anything.
88km
4 - 5 hours
Moderate
Col de Noyer
Road up to Col de Noyer
The Lake where you can swim sunbathe and relax your achy muscles in the afternoon sun
Day 3
MondayAM: RIDE: 21/2 - 41/2 hrs
OPTION 1: Col de Noyer (1664m) the classic way
This starts straight into the climb up to Col de Noyer. It's a stunning view all the way up, which is good as it's 13km with some steep sections of 14% gradient. After reaching the col you have a magnificent descent down into the village of St Etienne and then through the spectacular gorge of the Souloise river towards the stunning deep blue Lac du Sautet. There's another short climb up to Le Glaizil and then down to the N85 and back to the Gite.
62 km
approx 31/2 hrs
Difficult
OPTION 2: Col de Noyer with a little added extra!!
This route starts off with a warm up in the form of a steady climb up to Chaillol (1600m). At Chaillol you enjoy a beautiful descent back into to the valley and then climb up to the Col de Noyer. From there you do have the option of coming back down the same way or you can continue and finish the classic route as above. Adding the extra climb to Chaillol means you get two climbs in on the same day!
82km (46km if you come back down the same way)
approx 4/1/2 hrs
Moderate
No vehicle support but on the end of a phone if needed.
PM: TRIP TO THE LAKE
We'll shuttle you over to the lake when you are ready, unless of course you would prefer to cycle there - it's about 6km. A nice relaxing afternoon swimming and sunbathing!
Cycling around the Serre Poncon Lake
Serre Poncon Lake
Rafting
Day 4
TuesdayAM: RIDE: 2 – 3 hours
OPTION 1: Tour de Lac Serre Poncon This is probably one of the most beautiful rides in the Hautes Alpes, with breathtaking views of the Lac de Serre Poncon. It is varied cycling through the valley of Reallon and then traversing the hillside to descend back to the lake.
50km
approx 21/2 hours
Moderate
OPTION 2: Tour de Gap
This is a short but varied ride taking you on a tour through the hills surrounding Gap; passing through the villages and farmland with a spectacular view of the city below you. You take in the col de Manse, which is an easy climb of 400m.
34km
approx 1 1/2 hrs
Easy
No vehicle support but on the end of a phone if needed.
PM: RAFTING
We'll collect you at the end of the ride and take you to the river where we'll be rafting. We'll stop for a picnic lunch on the way or at the river.
If you want to leave the rafting and do more cycling, it's possible to extend both the morning rides to take you back to the gite or we can arrange a colleciton point.
Col D'Izoard
The famous moonscape scenery on the Col D'Izoard
Day 5
WednesdayRIDE - FULL DAY
OPTION 1: Col d’Izoard (2360m)
This is one of the legendary cols in the Tour de France. It's big, beautiful and very exhilarating! Starting from Gullestre, you will climb 1310 vertical metres over 30.2 km at an average gradient of 4.3%. A long, steady, sustained climb rewarded by stunning moonscape scenery! It then descends into Briancon and goes back along the other side of the mountain through Argentiere la Besse to Guillestre.
105 km
approx 6 hours
Very Difficult
This day is fully vehicle supported with refreshment stops.
OTHER OPTIONS: If you want to make this more difficult you can add an extra 20 km and 215 vertical metres by starting in Embrun or you can make it easier by getting picked up in Briancon! The choice is yours!
Via Ferrata
Day 6
ThursdayAM: VIA FERRATA
This is a good way to stretch your achy muscles. For via ferrata you wear a harness with cows tails, which you clip into wires and ladders bolted into the rock. This ensures your safety so that you can concentrate on climbing! It's good fun and takes you to places which would otherwise be totally inaccessible.
PM: RIDE OR REST
After yesterday's exersions and the anticipation of tomorrow, a spin up the valley to loosen your muscles is probably all that is necessary. By now you'll know the area well enough to go off on your own. But of course we can always advise you on routes to do.
No vehicle support but on end of phone if needed.
Climbing Alpe D'Huez
Hairpins on Alpe D'Huez
Day 7
FridayRIDE: FULL DAY
OPTION 1: Col de Lautaret (2058m) and Alpe D’Huez (1840m)
This is the 'piéce de résistance' - the most famous climb in the Tour de France and the end of the notorious Marmotte cyclosportif event. The Alpe D'Huez has 21 hairpin bends, each bearing a panel with the names of each of the Tour de France winners of this stage. From Bourg D'Oisans you'll climb 1120 vertical metres over 14 km at an average gradient of 7.7%, with a maximum of 12% at any one time. The scenrey is awe inspiring.
Our route starts in Briancon and takes you over the Col de Lautaret, which is a relatively easy and pleasant (as long as it's not windy!) but long climb to warm you up for Alpe D'Huez. The road takes you underneath the dramatic mountain giants of the Ecrins.
74km
approx 4 1/2 hours
Very Difficult
This ride will be fully vehicle supported with refreshments.
OTHER OPTIONS:
After the col de Lautaret you do have the option of taking in the col de Galibier (2646m). This is not to be underestimated, a climb of 588 vertical metres over 8.5 km at an average gradient of 6.9%. But the real sting in it's tail is the last km where the gradient reaches 12%. And then of course you have Alpe D'huez to do!
Or of course if you liked the Col D'Izoard and want to do it again, you could do the whole of last year's Tour de France Alpe D'huez stage, starting in Gap and finishing in Alpes D'Huez - 191 km and 3500 m of ascent!
We are flexible and can drop people off at the various starting points along the way. We'll have three vans offering vehicle support so can organise appropriate refreshment stops accordingly. We'll have time in the week to discuss this day and you don't need to make the final decision until the night before!
We'll be eating out in Alpe D'Huez tonight to celebrate your achievements and then we'll drive you back to the gite - so it might be a late night!
Day 8
SaturdayThis is your last day. We'll pack up your bikes in the van for the overland transfer and take you to the airport for your flights. We'll be able to confirm what time we are leaving once we know everyone's flight plans. You never know - you might have time for a last quick spin in the morning before you go!
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