DATES
11 - 26 July, 2015

NIGHTS
15 | 8 Hotels + 7 Camping

RIDING DAYS
13 (1 rest day,
2 loop rides/optional rest days)

AVERAGE ALTITUDE
1500m per day
(Options for less/more climbing available)

AVERAGE DISTANCE
80-100km per day

START / FINISH 
Nice, France - Alpe d'Huez, France

TOUR DE FRANCE
We have secured prime-position accommodation on Alpe d'Huez for you to watch stages 18, 19 & 20 in the Alps

MEALS
15 Breakfasts + 10 Afternoon-Teas + 7 Group Meals

DIFFICULTY
Rolling hills in the first week to challenging and mountainous in the second week. Arrive with a good level of fitness with some climbing/hill training.

FAMOUS CLIMBS
Mont Ventoux, Col de la Bonette, Col du Vars, Col d’Izoard, Col du Galibier, Col du Lautaret, Alpe d’Huez, Col de la Croix de Fer.

OUR RIDE BEGINS IN NICE, EASILY ACCESSIBLE WITH MAJOR AIR AND RAIL LINKS THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND THE WORLD.
WE STAY IN A FANTASTICALLY LOCATED HOTEL NEAR THE PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS AND OLD TOWN.

*Please note that the route may change slightly pending accommodation bookings.

4  Col du Vars

5  Col de l’Izoard

6 + 7  Col de Lautaret and Col du Galibier

Day 1

We ride out of Nice along the coast and climb into the hinterland of the Cote d’Azur. We have spectacular views of the Mediterranean and ride past medieval villages - home to artists, galleries and markets.  There’s an optional climb of the Col du Vence (963m), a local’s favorite, before arriving at our overnight stop in the picturesque Bar Sur Loup for a welcome group evening meal at a great local restaurant. 

DISTANCE 43km / 63km
ALTITUDE GAIN 500m/1300m
OVERNIGHT STOP Camping  
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea
+ Dinner

Check out more photos from our previous Nice to Alpe d’Huez Cycling Tours on our Flickr Gallery.

Day 2

We cycle via the Gorges du Loup to the village of Gourdon, spectacularly perched on a rocky cliff above the gorge. From here we cross the remote alpine Plateau de Caussols, climb the Col de Bleine and descend to arrive in our overnight stop of Castellane in the Verdon river valley.  

DISTANCE 93km 
ALTITUDE GAIN 2000m
OVERNIGHT STOP Campground
in Castellane 
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea

Day 3

Today’s ride is a trip highlight - the spectacular sweeping road overlooking the Gorge du Verdon. The terrain is hilly as we climb to Point "Sublime" offering fine views of the gorge and emerald coloured river. We stop in medieval Moustieres Sainte Marie and ride through the biggest lavender field in France to arrive at Manosque for our overnight stop and hotel night.

DISTANCE 80km 
ALTITUDE GAIN 1100m
OVERNIGHT STOP Hotel in Manosque 
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea
+ Dinner

Day 4

Today is quintessential rural Provence - golden hued perched villages, small scale vineyards, rolling countryside, lavender fields, markets, wild herbs and hidden valleys – and what better way to explore it than by bike!  Our route takes us to three of the 144 officially rated 'most beautiful villages of France' and there is no shortage of touristic highlights. We will eat fresh local produce at Bistrot de Pays, drink the local wines and cycle the quiet back roads.  Our overnight stop is Gordes, a stunning village overlooking the Luberon valley.

DISTANCE 93km
ALTITUDE GAIN 1500m
OVERNIGHT STOP Camping in Gordes
MEALS Breakfast + Lunch
+ Afternoon Tea

Day 5

Today is Rest Day...
There’s plenty to explore in and around Gordes, or perhaps put your feet up and relax by the campground pool!

OVERNIGHT STOP Camping
MEALS Breakfast

Day 6

Today we climb the Giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux!   Rising from the Rhone valley below, the 22km climb has an infamous history in the Tour de France.  We climb from the traditional Bedoin side, however there’s options to tackle another ascent if you prefer. From the summit, it’s a fantastic descent to Sault and a gentle ride to our overnight stop.

DISTANCE 96km
ALTITUDE GAIN 2000m
OVERNIGHT STOP Hotel 
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea
+ Dinner

Day 7 + 8

It’s rolling countryside swathed in lavender, olive trees and vines as we approach the Alps. We cycle along the valley of the River Ubaye, surrounded by a patchwork of rocky mountains with snow-capped peaks. We pass through Barcelonnette and arrive at Jausiers, a small mountain village and gateway to some of the most famous climbs of the Alps. 

Day 9

Today is a mountain climbers dream! You have the option to ride the epic Col de la Bonette (2802m), claiming the highest sealed through road in Europe.  The views from the Col are spectacular, extending across the Alps and to the Mediterranean.  We descend to Jausiers and climb the Col du Vars (2180m), descending to Guillestre, a market town at a natural crossroads in the Alps.
We begin to see hearty mountain food on menus including fondue and raclette.    

DISTANCE 93km (or 45km)
ALTITUDE GAIN 2400m (or 900m)
OVERNIGHT STOP Hotel
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea

Day 10

Today we climb another Hors Categorie climb, the Col d’Izoard (2361m), famous for its forbidding and barren scree slopes and jutting rock pinnacles, known as the Casse Deserte, that has formed a dramatic backdrop for key moments in the Tour de France. 

The descent is spectacular, sweeping and fast, to arrive at the town of Briancon, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

DISTANCE 65km
ALTITUDE GAIN 1700m
OVERNIGHT STOP Camp
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea
+ Dinner

Day 11

Today is another highlight day in the French Alps.  We depart our camp to climb to the Col du Lauteret, a gradual 28km climb. You have the option to climb the 8.5km winding road to the Col du Galibier (2642m), one of the most dramatic high alpine passes in the Alps.  We descend to the cyclist’s mecca of Bourg d’Oisans and then climb the epic 21 hairpin bends to Alpe d’Huez!

DISTANCE 80km 
ALTITUDE GAIN 1800m/2300m  
OVERNIGHT STOP Hotel
MEALS Breakfast + Afternoon Tea
+ Dinner

Days 12 + 13 + 14

For the next 3 days we stay in the French Alps in a prime position hotel on alpe d'huez to watch the Tour de France and do loop rides each day!  The final mountain stages of the Tour are always a highlight and often where the Tour is won or lost. WE WILL SEE STAGE 18, STAGE 19 & STAGE 20, GET UP CLOSE TO THE RIDERS, THEIR TEAM CARS AND SUPPORT VEHICLES AND STAY ON ALPE D'HUEZ AMONGST THE ACTION! 

You need to organise your own onward travel arrangements from the Alps. Our finish location is Alpe d'Huez but we will assist with transport to Grenoble where there are rail links to Lyon or Paris for TGV (very fast train) and international airports. 

Each day we get to watch a mountain stage of the Tour de France - we provide you with various options for loop rides from our hotel, including the Col de la Croix de Fer, Col d’Ornon and other famous climbs in the region as well as some lesser known roads with spectacular views and scenery.  Staying on l'Alpe d'Huez is a real privilege and you will be able to enjoy the unique atmosphere that the Alpe provides in the lead-up to the arrival of the Tour de France - culminating in the penultimate stage of the 2015 Tour de France watching the riders tackle the epic 21 hairpin bends. 

To secure your place in the ride we require;
EITHER a DEPOsit by BOOKING ONLINE or by CONTACTING WOR to arrange an EFT. 

For more info or to make a tour booking...