Tour de France 2012
9th - 15th July
This trip gives riders a unique opportunity to see the best of the Tour de France action in the Alps, as well as riding the stage routes too, just before the pros! A spectacular 5 days of riding, with stages 11 and 12 of the Tour being our focal point.
Fancy an even bigger challenge? Add our Etape du Tour trip on to the Tour de France trip for an incredible 9 day trip.
The schedule:
Monday July 9th
Arrive Geneva airport (flights arriving between 1100 and 1500). You'll be picked up from the airport and driven to our base near Bourg St Maurice. Afternoon tea and a hearty dinner will await you. A briefing of the next day's events and a chance to prepare the bike.
Tuesday July 10th
Today's ride will incorporate the Col du Petit St Bernard, last used in the Tour in 2009. It's long but never steep, so a great chance to warm the legs up and ease into the climbs. Lunch in Italy, followed by a return to into France will complete our ride. We'll spend the second night again at our Bourg base.
Wednesday July 11th
Stage 11 of the TDF is our mission for the day, we'll ride as much of it as we can with a view to completing it the following day. We'll scale the mighty Col de la Madeleine, followed by the Col du Glandon. Exciting stuff as the campervans and crowds gather for the pros coming through the next day. We'll spend the night in a Maurienne valley hotel.
Thursday July 12th
A chance to ride the rest of stage 11, including the summit finish at La Toussuire, you'll be riding just a few hours before the pros and the atmosphere is amazing. Flag waving fans will inspire you to the top of the climbs. As the afternoon progresses you can settle down to watch the pros battle it out on the same roads. Another night in a local hotel will prepare us for Stage 12 the next day.
Friday July 13th
An early ride start enable us to scale the 2 main challenges of Stage 12 before the roads close and the pros come through. We'll climb the Col du Grand Cucheron followed by the the Col du Granier. Once we've scaled these we'll find a great vantage point to watch the pros come through. They will then head west, out of the Alps, we'll head east for more hills though! Our afternoon will a pretty, rolling ride through the vineyards towards Albertville where we'll spend the night.
Saturday July 14th
Our final day of riding will incorporate another Tour classic, the Cormet de Roselend. Incredible views of Mont Blanc and a lunch spot in the most glorious location will make this a memorable way to finish the trip. An exciting descent to Bourg St Maurice and return to base camp for the final night.
Sunday July 15th
Transfers back to Geneva airport with a view to catching flights between 1300 and 1700.
Cost £895 includes;
- Fully supported rides (mechanical assistance, vehicle support, guides)
- 6 nights twin share, half board accommodation, 3 of which at our Bellentre base, 3 of which spent in comfortable hotels.
- Onward transport of luggage to next hotel
- Transfers to and from Geneva Airport
- Informal evening lectures from a qualified cycling coach offering training advice in preparation for cycling events
- Rider Action Plan, a written summary of how to develop your riding in the future.
To discuss this programme or for further booking information contact us.
