Introduction to the Alps
Join us and other like-minded people for a week of epic cycling and good company! We've used all our local experience to create a week: half cycling, half social, all alpine. Cycle great roads, see amazing scenery eat and drink great food and wine. This tour is designed to show off the best the Alps has to offer at a leisurely pace and leave you spare time to enjoy the mountains of the Tarentaise.
What's included
- Geneva Airport transfers
- 7 nights chalet accommodation
- Single occupancy, en-suite bedrooms - no single supplement
- Breakfast, afternoon tea, 6 evening meals and wine
- 5 days of vehicle supported cycling rides
- Our expertise in creating a week of outstanding Alpine cycling
Not included
- Flights
- Bike hire/carriage
- Lunch
- Insurance
Week overview
Description of the week giving a bit more about the feel of it and some of the highlights.
Have a look below for details of the itinerary.
Availability
11 spaces available
Prices
€1250 on a single room basis
Book now
Contact us on +44 (0)20 7191 1120 or email tagride@thealpinegeneration.com to discuss itineraries and to book your week. It's that simple!
Introduction to the Alps
Your transfer will depart Geneva Airport mid afternoon and deliver you and your bikes to our base, Chalet James in La Tania (approx 2 hours).
Our friendly team will help you settle in, and you can enjoy a welcome drink and light refreshments before setting the bikes up. Once we’re set up, we’ll give the bikes (and ourselves!) a warm up and equipment test on the winding road up to Courchevel 1850. From here we’ll return to Chalet James, prepped and ready for the week ahead.
Distance: 20.5km
Ascent: 663m
Descent: 663m
La Tania-Pralognan Loop
A nice warm up for the rest of the week, we'll set off from La Tania with a support vehicle in tow on a meandering tour of the local area, skirting the edge of the Vanoise National Park. We enjoy fantastic, quiet roads and stunning views looking back over to Courchevel as we make our way up to the lovely village ski station of Pralognan La Vanoise, via the balcony road through Montagny. This road has actually been used in the Criterium du Dauphine twice now and many pro’s use it for training. There will be plenty of time to take in the views and enjoy a lunch and a coffee in one of many mountain restaurants before returning to La Tania via Courchevel Le Praz for well earned afternoon tea.
(Does your GPS sometimes have a moment? Ours did with this one and added 400m climb to the graph total; we wouldn't do that to you on the first day!)
Distance: 77.7km
Ascent: 1900m
Descent: 1900m
Alp d'Huez and Col du Glandon
Tuesday sees us tackle one of the most iconic climbs in cycling! The transfer to our starting point Allemond is 2.5hrs, so an early start will be needed. From Allemond, we’ll cruise into Bourg d’Oisans along the flat for a 12km warm up, before tackling the famous 21 bends of Alp d’Huez.
The infamous climb first appeared on ‘Le tour’ in 1952, providing the location for the tour's first ever summit finish with Fausto Coppi claiming the victory. It was not to return until 1976 and since then has become a fan and riders favourite.
As we ascend we can't promise the raucous crowds on the bends like a TDF day but there is always something special about this place! Up past the chapel at Dutch Corner (bend 7) knowing we are 2/3rds of the way along the famous climb. We push on checking off all 21 bends and on to victory!
We’ll stop to refuel in Alp d’Huez before descending the balcony road, enjoying some of the most breathtaking views in the Southern Alps. The descent takes us past the lake and the dam, followed by the opportunity to tackle the Col du Glandon before the final descent down into the Maurienne valley and the little town of St Etienne-de-Cuines. Here we’ll meet the van for a very welcome rest and the return trip to Chalet James.
This is a tough but epic day. Our vehicle support allows you to alter the ride length and ascent, deciding just how much you punish yourself!
Distance: 90km
Ascent: 2738m
Descent: 2969m
Relax by the pool in town, explore the mountains on foot, hire a mountain bike or book a paraglide and see the Vanoise National Park from the air. But if you're that way inclined, you could even take a recovery ride on any of the numerous local routes we will be happy to advise on.
Cormet du Roselend
It’s the final day, and what better way to round off a great trip than with a TDF classic.
We’ll transfer to Aime and take the cycle path to Bourg St Maurice; the start of the Cormet du Roselend. The Cormet is a simply incredible climb that has been in the Tour many times over the last few years. Cancelled last year due to bad weather, it is back for 2020.
The top of the col, at 2000m, gives you impressive views of the Beaufortain mountain range all around you.
A 4km descent from the top offers views down to the stunning Lac de Roselend. The route takes us around the lake before we start the descent down to Beaufort. Breathtaking in every sense.
At the famous Beaufort we can grab some well earned snacks, food and drink. Maybe even a Beaufort Tart!
From Beaufort we’ll cycle back (the short mostly downhill 19km ) to Albertville and then along to Moutiers.
Distance: 102Km
Ascent: 2059m
Descent: 2211m
Cormet du Roselend
It’s the final day, and what better way to round off a great trip than with a TDF classic.
We’ll transfer to Aime and take the cycle path to Bourg St Maurice; the start of the Cormet du Roselend. The Cormet is a simply incredible climb that has been in the Tour many times over the last few years. Cancelled last year due to bad weather, it is back for 2020.
The top of the col, at 2000m, gives you impressive views of the Beaufortain mountain range all around you.
A 4km descent from the top offers views down to the stunning Lac de Roselend. The route takes us around the lake before we start the descent down to Beaufort. Breathtaking in every sense.
At the famous Beaufort we can grab some well earned snacks, food and drink. Maybe even a Beaufort Tart!
From Beaufort we’ll cycle back (the short mostly downhill 19km ) to Albertville and then along to Moutiers.
Distance: 102Km
Ascent: 2059m
Descent: 2211m
