Alpes VIP Cycling Tour - Moderate Riding

Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

Day 1-July 16: Arrival Day Arriving in Montpellier, you will arrive in a dynamic town that will be alive with Tour ambiance in anticipation of the stage arrival the next day! We are staying the center of this lively city that is easily accessible by plane and train. Arrival before 3pm at your deluxe, centrally located hotel. Time to set up bikes and prepare for a very big ride tomorrow! After orientation, Dinner included tonight. You will meet your guides of course and they will go through the program ahead in detail. Dinner will allow you to get to know the rest of your cycling buddies for this amazing Tour experience to follow. (D)

July 17: VIP Day - D-Day in Montpellier! Start this trip off with a BANG! Not that it won't continue to be great, but this VIP day is possibly your best souvenir anyone can have at the Tour de France! Ride the last kilometers of the stage into Montpellier, passing the crowds on the route of the race! Pass under the finish banner and go on the podium for some fantastic and privileged photos! (In function of time, we will ride 20-40 km) After enjoy the race finish by the peloton and a lively night in Montpellier! (B,L)

July 18 Tour Rest Day. We leave Montpellier by van and drive to the Mont Ventoux - Giant of Provence! With a Tour rest day, we now have the time and legs ready to tackle the top 6km of this giant, and then go on a fabulous descent to Sault through lavender fields and the Gorges de la Nesque. After, drive on to our hotel in the iconic and picturesque town of Gordes; very deluxe hotel awaits and time for you to have dinner on your own. (B,L)

July 19 VIP DAY - VILLAGE at St Paul Les Trois Chateaux! Up early to drive to the stage start where you can enter into the VIP area and check out the former pros, media personalities, and current pros coming in for the day's stage. Enjoy some light snacks and a privileged ambiance. After the depart, we'll go by van to Alpe d'Huez; approximately 2.5 hours driving. Optional short evening rides or hikes after checkin at the hotel in the lovely village of Alpe d'Huez which sits at the base of snow capped glaciers rising above the town. Dinner on your own. (B,L)

July 20 Ride Day Of Choices! The Tour goes to Italy, so we go riding! We'll start with a descent down the Alpe then a nice moderate ride up to Venosc where we can get on the gondola and ride to Les Deux Alpes. There we can visit the town, consider some downhilling, and then descend back to Freney d'Oisans and a nice leisure ride back up Alpe d'Huez. Back to our hotel in Alpe d'Huez and dinner on your own again. (B,L)

July 21 Tour comes to the Galibier and we'll ride up to see as much as we can. Driving up to La Grave, we can ride on from there among big crowds on the Galibier, then return to Alpe d'Huez at the end of the day. Long day in the bibs, but an epic day on the Tour! (B,L)

July 22 VIP Day in Alpe d'Huez! We are there! Izoard Bus for the arrival of this determining stage! We are likely stuck in Alpe d'Huez this day, but some time in the morning can be spent around the festivities or hiking on the upper trails of the ski area above. Free time before our rendez-vous on the finish line! Sit back, have some snacks, champagne, and enjoy a remarkable stage finish! The Izoard Bus experience puts you at the finish line in a closed area except for VIP's, media, and Tour officials and of course authorized team personnel. Possibility to meet with media from your country and have the best view of line which on this day will no doubt include an exciting breakaway finish by the potential Tour winner! (B,L)

July 23 Departure Day! Eh oui, time to go. With expected crowds and heavy traffic going to Grenoble, we advise late trains/flights from Grenoble or Lyon or another day later. We will return you to Grenoble after 1pm. Note: to continue to the Time Trial, see our offers mentioned in the Options section. (B)

What's Included

WHAT'S INCLUDED:
All lodging in 3/4 star hotels and rooms, (see below), all breakfasts, picnic lunches, 2 dinners according to the itinerary, 2 professional cycling guides, van transportation throughout, support vehicle for rides, motorhome for picnic and roadside viewing on certain stages, all VIP accesses mentioned, VIP Souvenir kit, souvenir Discover France TDF jersey, energy kit including gels, bars, and drink mix, route book for rides, and Pre-Travel documentation. We also provide Pre & Post tour travel services such as help with trains, Paris hotels, rental cars and other services.

OPTIONS:
Bike rentals are available on a first come, first served basis. We offer Look 566 carbon road bikes for 210 euros. See the links above or click on our Rental Page link to know more.

Added Nights: Contact us for quotes. We can also book Paris hotels.

Non-cycling spouse: there is no reduction for non-cycling participants as all the same services are needed for all group members. Non-riders are welcome to come along but separate activities are not provided for apart from the itinerary described on this page. The guides will do their best to suggest activities on days where the group is returning to the same hotel.

Tour Rates

PRICE:
2969 Euros, based on double occupancy. Rates shown in foreign currency are subject to change and converted at current interbank rates posted online.
Single supplement: please contact us . Special Tour de France terms apply.

per person in double occupancy	Euros: 2969
single supplement	Euros: TBD

Photos & Videos

Bike Information

Bike rentals are available on a first come, first served basis. We offer Look 566 carbon road bikes for 210 euros. See the links above or click on our Rental Page link to know more.

General Tour Info

Duration:July - 7 nights & 8 days

DATES: SOLD OUT
July 16-23, 2011
7 nights & 8 days

Transportation: we use our own vehicles, or in a few instances we do have to hire equivalent vehicles because our fleet may be in use. All vans are 9 passenger vans and are driven by your guides. They are comfortable and affordable, air conditioned, and equipped with roof mounted bike carriers. These vans are used to transfer you during your trip but are nimble enough to provide all the necessary support on every ride, even in the highest cols of the mountains and in heavy crowds. We have privileged parking throughout the Tour but often must cross checkpoints just like any vehicle. Our vehicles are branded with our logos and will enhance your experience as a VIP client as you travel down closed roads with crowds lining the routes!

To know more about the VIP services, visit this page

HOTELS:

Note: rooms are mostly twin rooms - meaning 2 single beds. These can be pushed together to make a double. Changes to room category will be made when possible. Room categories are usually all the same, but some variations may be required for large groups. Hotel 4 star in Montpellier, 4 star superior in Gordes, and 3 star apartment style chalet in Alpe d'Huez.

LEVEL:
This tour is a moderate level cycling tour. Participants should be regular cyclists and not beginners. Some climbing is involved but a limited amount with plenty of time to cover them. Mileage/Kilometres will vary from 20-50km.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE:

OTHER DETAILS:
Guides - All guides are professional licensed cycling guides. They are French, and know the routes, know the race, and are experienced at guiding groups of foreigners over the big mountains and around the melee of the Tour de France. Because they are professional, they understand the need to ride a lot and what it takes to accomplish that. Safety is foremost in their training, and you will be in the best hands during your VIP Tour experience. Nothing but the best!

Meals: buffet breakfasts are included daily. Substantial picnic lunches will also be provided on all ride days. Dinners, where included, will be gastronomic in nature with multiple courses; wine is not always included.

Watching the Tour: there is no better access than that which is provided in these VIP trips. You cannot do better! If some participants wish to add a helicopter flight or other VIP service, please contact us to know what is possible.