Itinerary

Day 1:Arrive in Grenoble. We will meet at the Grenoble train station and go directly to Alpe d'Huez. Depart Grenoble at 2pm. After checkin we will set up bikes, go through a welcome briefing, and with any time remaining we can visit the town or maybe do a short spin. Dinner included tonight. (D)

Day 2: Warm up ride then up Alpe d'Huez! We'll start with a nice long downhill along one of those tiny mountain roads that few people use. It is a perfect way to warm up followed by a long flat ride back to Bourg d'Oisans. We can add some climbing and then up to Les Deux Alpes by cable car and then down again to start our TT ascent on Alpe d'Huez! We'll have a picnic lunch along the way, finish back at Alpe d'Huez with some free time and then dinner. Those wanting some more miles can go over the Sarenne and down to Besse and then return.(B,L,D) Alpe d'Huez: This vertical climb of 1.120m (3.733 feet), 14 km (8.75 miles) long, gradients between 7.7 and 12% and 21 switchbacks is one of the most historical and heroic ones in the history of the Tour de France.

Day 3: Ride to St Jean en Maurienne. A big day, we are going to ride approximately half the Marmotte route, but we have a few options. We will descend by Alpe d'Huez to Bourg d'Oisans, or take a different way over the Col de la Sarenne and then down to Chambon Dam, Bourg d'Oisans, and then the long road to the Col de Croix de Fer! Following that is the long descent to St Jean en Maurienne where the Tour de France stops this year. Overnight in comfortable 2 star hotel, dinner included again tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Ride to Briancon over the Galibier! We shouldn't neglect the Col du Telegraph also which starts the first climbing today from St Jean into Valloires. Then the long ride up to the Galibier, after then its all downhill - even over the Lautaret which is below the Galibier on this direction. Descend all the way to Briancon and a charming 3 star hotel. You can have dinner on your own tonight. With any extra time we can add some more miles in the Briancon area. (B,L)

Day 5: Briancon to Gap - 105 km. From Briancon we start out with a long and gradual climb to the col d'Izoard, one of the most famous and high climbs of cycling lore; after we have a long descent to Guillestre and then rolling countryside to Embrun and the picturesque lake we ride alongside before arriving at Gap. Dinner included tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Another long day to Bedoin! No great cols to clear today just a long and rolling ride through the countryside coming down from higher elevations to the warmth of the Provence/Vaucluse plain and forests. The scent of lavender and the site of vineyards come up around the Mont Ventoux and we arrive at a very comfortable hotel at the foot of Ventoux. Take a swim in the pool and think about the Giant of tomorrow! Gastronomic dinner included. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Mont Ventoux! This is our one day to conquer the Ventoux, and so we'll hit the hard route straight up from Bedoin. 21 km of climbing, from 2-6% at first, and then consistently above 7% and up to 12% before you clear the trees and cover the bald peak to the summit! We'll have lunch on the way down and then continue via Sault, lavender country, and return via the famous and picturesque Gorges de la Nesque! A great finish to an amazing week of cycling! (B,L,D)


Day 8: Departure Day. We will leave at 10:00 for Avignon train station. End of services. (B)

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