Index

Thomson Tales

The Grand Challenge — Trans Trips

Made famous by decades of Grand Tour racing, the Alps, Pyrenees and Dolomites provide a playground for cyclists to test themselves on legendary climbs day after day.


The Grand Challenge — Trans Trips

Our core Trans-Challenges are the epitome of severe. Not for the faint hearted, designed for cyclists with an unquenching ambition to conquer the most notorious mountain ranges in Europe.

Trans Dolomites day 6

A trip for passionate cyclists that want to challenge themselves in one of the most beautiful and iconic mountains in the world. It is unforgettable and I am very proud that I did it.

Fernando Camacho, USA, FL


Our Daily Promise is Peaks

On our signature series of week long trips you will cross mountain chains or entire countries on the most inspiring routes across the world’s most beautiful cycling regions. These trips are for cyclists who enjoy nothing more than a day of pure riding. The climbs will become the most memorable of your life and in some cases an addiction. Vanquishing climbs, col by col, you will create your own folklore.

A Champion’s Challenge

For those up to the test, the Trans Alps, Pyrenees and Dolomites trips are the perfect opportunity to achieve your own ambitions, inspired by the campionissimi whose tyre tracks you follow. Become the master of such revered names as Alpe d’Huez, Galibier and Mont Ventoux in the Alps. Have Passo dello Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo at your mercy in the Dolomites. Humble Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aubisque, Col d’Aspin in the Pyrenees. The thrill of bagging these big name cols day after day as you cross an entire mountain range is second to none. As your legs tire, your eyes will widen at the spectacular scenery. As your lungs fill with mountain air your heart will be bursting with pride.

Never Be Alone

You can count on us to help you achieve your goals. With a staff to client ratio of 1:4 you will always enjoy the benefit of unrivalled support. Whether it’s a water fill-up on a hot climb, a sandwich on top of the mountain, or your arm warmers for a cold descent, our professional team is always there when you need them. With multiple ride groups to enable cyclists of similar pace to ride together and a policy of one ride leader and one van per group, you will never be alone.

trans alps glandon

Leaders In Leading

Each of our ride leaders is an experienced cyclist and a multi-lingual traveler. We have gone to great lengths to assemble an international team of expert guides who take pride in navigating our breathtaking routes. You can always count on some encouragement on the climbs and a good draft on the flats. Our team of professional mechanics will keep your bike purring from start to finish, so you have nothing to worry about but the challenge of the road ahead.

Three Iconic Routes

Our core Trans-Challenges offer you three opportunities to enjoy the best of the world’s cycling routes. Cross the Alps in an ambitious route taking on the most iconic Tour De France climbs, experience the most notorious and dramatic peaks made famous by the Giro d’Italia in the Dolomites or ride from coast to coast across the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Prepare yourself for full on cycling from start to finish.

From Morzine to Mont Ventoux, ride one of the most ambitious routes across the legendary French Alps. Test yourself on the battleground of the world’s greatest race.

Alpe d’Huez, La Madeleine, Galibier, Mont Ventoux, Glandon, Joux Plane, Colombiere - these are just a few of the iconic Tour de France climbs that you’ll face in the French Alps. Climb the ‘Giant of Provence’ - Mont Ventoux - with the option to climb it not once, but twice on the same day! With plenty more famous climbs plus several you’ve never heard of but will fall in love with, you can’t fit more Alps into one week.

In just seven days you will take on 641km of riding and 19,882m of climbing. With five stunning hotels as our base as we move through the Alps you will feel every bit the professional and with achievements to match.

An incredible opportunity to span the width of the Spanish / France border as we ride from coast to coast. Cross the magnificent Pyrenees from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, conquering classic Tour de France climbs the whole way.

Discover the sheer beauty of one of Europe’s most celebrated cycling terrains. We’ve designed an extra-challenging route starting in the renowned cycling hub of Girona. From Girona we cross the Pyrenees from east to west, conquering iconic Tour de France climbs like the Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aubisque, Col d’Aspin, Col de Peyresourde and Port de Pailheres.

The 950km trek ends with a ceremonious dip in the Atlantic Ocean in the beautiful coastal town of Hendaye. Long after you return home, you’ll fondly remember the trademark cowbells that echo throughout the Pyrenees mountains. The perfect Pyrenean adventure!

Read our full itinerary for detail on each day’s route and book now for August or September.

Made famous by the Giro d’Italia, the Italian Dolomites are some of the most notorious, dramatic and transcendent peaks in all of Europe. They are a rite of passage for every avid cyclist.

The Stelvio, the Gavia, and the Mortirolo are just a few of the famed climbs that make cyclists flock to the region. Our newly designed route includes the infamous Monte Zoncolan and Monte Crostis. The Zoncolan is widely considered the most difficult climb of the Grand Tours, starting under a banner that reads “Welcome to the Gates of Hell.” Monte Crostis is a climb that was removed from the Giro because it was considered too brutal.

Beyond the celebrated cycling culture, enjoy the breathtaking landscape, majestic mountains, charming Alpine villages, and that renowned Italian food and wine. The Dolomites do not disappoint. We’ve designed one of the hardest routes across the region, and you’ll thank us for it.

Don’t worry, we’ll ease you in with a cat 2 and cat 3 climb on day one! On arrival at the first of our four hotels we will build the bikes and get straight out there. Ride just a kilometre short of 700km and climb 19,506m in seven days of riding.