TDF Classics: 4 -11 Sept 2021

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.

Day 1 and the week begins with the Col du Petit St Bernard. The cols steady climb, beautiful views and flowing descent make it a great introduction to alpine cycling.

A short 40 min transfer in the support vehicle will take us to today’s starting point; the riverside town of Aime. From here we’ll warm up with a spin along the river path to Bourg St Maurice. Bourg is considered the gateway to the Petit St Bernard and the Cormet de Roselend and regularly features in the Tour de France.

We’ll pass through Bourg and the little village of Seez, before heading onto the Col du Petit St Bernard for the 22km cycle to La Rosiere, support vehicle in tow. It's a beautiful climb with a steady gradient, but at 30km, a decent distance. In our opinion, the views on the last leg of the climb are amongst the best in the Alps. At the last km passing the impressive St Bernard Statue and the hospice. There is plenty of time to stop for a coffee in either France or Italy! It's a must-do climb and an experience not to be missed, as is the descent. Finishing in Aime we’ll transfer back to La Tania. Of course, if you still have it in your legs you are always welcome to cycle back!

Ride stats

Distance: 90km

Ascent: 1382m

Key climb - Col du Petit Saint-Bernard

Length of climb: 29.9km

Start altitude: 809m

Summit altitude: 2190m

Elevation gain: 1382m

Average gradient: 4.6%

Max gradient: 8%

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll transfer to La Chambre where we’ll start the day with a 10km easy spin to the bottom of the Lacets de Montvernier. If you look up ‘hairpin bends’ in the dictionary, you’ll likely see a photo of the Lacets! Although only 3km in length, the climb features 18 hairpin bends stacked one on top of another.

Following the Lacets, we’ll hit the Col de Chaussy; a tough 12km stretch but more than worth it for the views of St Jean de Maurienne from the cliffs on the way up. Once at the top, we’ll follow deserted mountain roads to join the Col de la Madeleine, where we'll climb through the ski resort of St Francois Longchamp to reach the top. On clear days, there are wonderful views of Mont Blanc. The descent is 26km and really worth all of your effort to get to the top.

Ride stats

Distance: 78km

Ascent: 2225m

Key climb - Col de la Madeleine

Length of climb: 19.2km

Start altitude: 470m

Summit altitude: 1999m

Elevation gain: 1529m

Average gradient: 8%

Max gradient: 12%

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.

This 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 rider's 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 and a welcome rest. Before 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!

Ride stats

Distance: 90km

Ascent: 2400m

Key climb - Alp d'Huez

Length of climb: 13.8km

Start altitude: 725m

Summit altitude: 1860m

Elevation gain: 1135m

Average gradient: 8.1%

Max gradient: 13%

Day 4 is a rest day for you and us! After enjoying a buffet breakfast relax by the pool in town (open high season), 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.

In the evening enjoy a traditional Savoie meal in one of the local restaurants.

Day 5 sees us returning to Bourg but this time to take on a very different beast.

We’ll transfer to Aime and take the cycle path to Bourg St Maurice; the start of the Cormet de Roselend. The Cormet is a simply incredible climb that has been in the Tour many times over the last few years. Cancelled in 2019 due to bad weather, it was back for 2020 and returns again in 2021!

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 brings the stunning Lac de Roselend into view. 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 drinks. Maybe even a Beaufort Tart!

From Beaufort we’ll cycle back (the short mostly downhill 19km ) to Albertville and then along to Moutiers.

Ride stats

Distance: 103km

Ascent: 1500m

Key climb - Cormet de Roselend

Length of climb: 19.4km

Start altitude: 822

Summit altitude: 1967m

Elevation gain: 1149m

Average gradient: 5.9%

Max gradient: 12%

The final day will see us heading south to St-Jean-de-Maurienne for a warm-up cycle into St-Michelle-de-Maurienne before heading straight on to the Col du Telegraphe. A 12km climb with an average of 7%. The road is largely tree-lined and offers plenty of welcome shade in summer. The Col tops out at 1566m and has a little cafe with a great atmosphere where there are always plenty of people taking a well-earned rest!
After stopping to take in the views and enjoy some much-needed lunch, we’ll descend 5km to Valloire, and then on to the Galibier.

This is a legend of a climb. There is a false flat to start before it ramps up and really gets going. The climb peaks at 2646m, with stunning views towards the south and Serre Chevalier. From here, as they say, it's all downhill! Well nearly, just under 2000m elevation drop over 35km, quite the ride. A truly stunning day taking in the Giants of the Alps.

Ride stats

Distance: 77.5km

Ascent: 2160m

Key climb - Col du Telegraphe & Galibier

Length of climb: 35.1km

Start altitude: 714m

Summit altitude: 2646m

Elevation gain: 2095m

Average gradient: 5.5%

Max gradient: 11.3%