The view from Lac de la Sassiere |
Day 1
MON July 20 › Bienvenue en France!
Our KOM French Alps Tour starts at Lyon St Exupery airport where our staff will be waiting to welcome you before the transfer to our hotel in Val d'Isere.
After arrival at the hotel we'll have lunch, followed by our orientation meeting then we'll get the bikes ready for our afternoon "warm-up" ride. Our ride will see us climb 2,000 ft up a spectacular single-track road to the Lac de la Sassiere. A bit tougher than our usual warm-up rides but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to ride this spectacular route!
Today's Ride Summary: 15 miles / 2,100 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Lac de la Sassiere | 2,000 ft |
8.9% |
3 miles |
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N/A |
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Peter & Eric outside our vantage point tents. |
Day 2
TUE July 21 › Col du Petit St Bernard
Our vantage point with Orbea-sponsored marquis tents will be situated on a prime spot close to the top of the climb to the COL DU PETIT ST BERNARD.
We'll climb the St Bernard from Bourg St Maurice then ride over the top of the pass down to our vantage point.
Have a cool drink, picnic lunch and then enjoy an exciting afternoon including LIVE Satelite TV coverage in English!
Today's Ride Summary: 50 miles / 5,900 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col du Petit St Bernard |
4,420 ft |
5.1% |
16.5 miles |
|
96 |
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The final switchbacks on the Col du Galibier |
Day 3
WED July 22 › Iseran, Galibier & Alpe d'Huez!
Today's ride has to be one of the most challenging rides in the Alps and worthy of many a grand tour stage!
On leaving the hotel we start the climb to the Col d'Iseran, the highest paved pass in Europe which also happens to have some of the most spectacular views in Europe! Next on the program is the 22 mile climb up the Col du Galibier. From the Galibier it's 25 miles down the valley to Bourg d'Oisans where we start our final climb up the famous 21 switchbacks to ALPE d'HUEZ.
Today's Ride Summary: 115 miles/14,100 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col de l'Iseran |
3,100 ft |
5.5% |
10.6 miles |
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98 |
Col du Galibier |
6,300 ft |
5.5% |
21.7 miles |
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184 |
Alpe d'Huez |
3,580 ft |
7.7% |
8.8 miles |
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125 |
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The famous "Croix de Fer" |
Day 4
THU July 23 › Croix de Fer....and Glandon?
After yesterday's huge ride there may well be a few tired legs around today! With that in mind you can choose from several ride options today.
Group A will have another challenging day over the Col de la Croix de Fer and the Col du Glandon!
If you prefer to take it a little easier then skip the Glandon and just ride the Col de la Croix de Fer with the B or C group.
If you're really feeling the after-effects of yesterday's ride then have a rest day and explore the town of Alpe d'Huez.
Today's Ride Summary: 95 miles / 13,400 ft elev. gain
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* Shorter route available: 60 miles / 8,000 ft |
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col de la Croix de Fer |
4,240 ft |
4.7% |
17.1 miles |
|
144 |
Col du Glandon |
4,830 ft |
6.9% |
13.2 miles |
|
146 |
Alpe d'Huez (via Vilard) |
3,620 ft |
4.9% |
14 miles |
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102 |
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En-route to the Col de Sarenne |
Day 5
FRI July 24 › Col de Sarenne
This afternoon we'll transfer down to Provence to get us in place for the grand finale on Mont Ventoux!
In the morning our guides will lead you out over one of our favorite rides. It's short but it's really spectacular - narrow single-track roads with fantastic views of the mountain ranges surrounding Alpe d'Huez.
And don't underestimate the Col de Sarenne - it's rated even more difficult than the regular climb to Alpe d'Huez!
Today's Ride Summary: 45 miles / 6,300 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col de Sarenne |
3,510 ft |
5.5% |
12.1 miles |
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138 |
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On Mt Ventoux |
Day 6
SAT July 25 › Mont Ventoux!
Today is the day that everyone has been waiting for!
Our hotel is situated just 25 miles the bottom of Mont Ventoux so we have plenty of time to have a relaxing breakfast by the hotel pool then set out on the bikes for the Giant of Provence.
The climb starts in Bedoin and watch out for the blue & white Orbea tents that signal our vantage point some 14 miles later, close to the summit!
Today's Ride Summary: 65 miles / 8,200 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col Notre Dame des Abeilles
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1,050 ft |
2.7% |
7.3 miles |
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45 |
Mont Ventoux |
5,320 ft |
7.1% |
14.1 miles |
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164 |
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The Gorges de la Nesque with Ventoux in the background. |
Day 7
SUN July 26 › Gorges de la Nesque & Ventoux
Yesterday we climbed Ventoux from the Bedoin side, today we'll climb it from the northern side which is actually a tad more difficult!
Our first destination is the spectacular route through the Gorges de la Nesque. For 12 miles narrow road winds its way through deep gorges and tunnels and with an average downhill grade of 3% it's a fantastic ride not to be missed!
From the Gorges de la Nesque we head north to Malaucene where we start the 13 mile climb at an average grade of 7.2% to Mont Ventoux.
Today's Ride Summary: 80 miles / 9,000 ft elev. gain
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Today's Major Climbs: |
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Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Mont Ventoux (from Malaucene) |
5,040 ft |
7.2% |
13.2 miles |
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166 |
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Day 8
MON July 27 › Au revoir
End of our trip and final transfer to Marseille
airport.
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