Self Guided Alpes - Alpe d'Huez
Itinerary Virtual Tour Tour Map
A classic cycling town during the July Classic - the Tour de France! This self guided trip puts you at Alpe d'Huez, because even if it isn't on the 2010 Tour, most cyclists still want to ride it! We have offered self guided trips for more than a 15 years throughout France and on this program we propose this tour to those who want to see a little of the Tour de France but ride some of the big alpine routes not on this year's race - without the crowds!
Alpe d'Huez is a charming ski town located at the top of a famously challenging cycling route from Bourg d'Oisans. Its famous switchbacks have made many pro careers, and broken just as many! There are however several ways to reach Alpe d'Huez and in addtion the rides to Galibier, Les Deux Alpes, Croix de Fer/Glandon are also possible among some lesser known routes. The Tour de France will finish in St Jean en Maurienne which is accessible either by bike on a very long ride, or with rental car if you get one. The stage from Chambery to Gap will also pass within a short drive distance. Below is our suggested itinerary; but you can do it in any manner you wish - it is self guided and you are in charge!
Itinerary
Click on a day to see that days itinerary.
DAY 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5Day 6Day 7Day 8
July 10: Arrival Day Travel from Grenoble to the hotel – installation – welcome meeting and orientation of our program for the week at 5pm. Local bus service is regular to Alpe d'Huez, or if you want one, car rentals are available in Grenoble. Car rental is not required - just gives you added freedom to go further along to see stages beyond cycling distance. We can arrange a private transfer for a supplement of 160 euros for up to 4 persons. Your hotel is the very charming Pic Blanc (3 star), the best hotel in Alpe d'Huez, and your lodging for the week. Breakfast and dinner is included here every day. (D)
July 11: For your first ride day, the Tour de France is still some distance away and you can use this day to get your legs. We can recommend several itineraries, but our suggestions in order start with a moderate climbing ride that begins by descending to Allemont and going to La Berarde, up to Les Deux Alpes by chairlift and then up Alpe d'Huez. Count 4 hours. (B,D)
July 12: Tour rest day. If you want to ride to St Jean en Maurienne for tomorrow's finish you can do it 1 of 2 ways: 1 - take a car rental today and park it in St Jean and ride back to Alpe d'Huez over the Croix de Fer and Glandon, returning up from Allemont. In this case, you can then ride tomorrow over the Galibier and down to ST Jean and return by car to Alpe d'Huez. 2 - do an alternative ride today that is moderate saving legs for the very long and challening loop tomorrow that would go to ST Jean over the Croix de Fer and return over the Galibier and up Alpe d'Huez after the finish of the stage. (Marmotte course - approx 175 km and 5000 m elev gain!) (B,D)
July 13: Tour finish at St Jean If you left your rental car at St Jean or nearby, then today you can ride over the Lautaret, Galibier and Telegraph to reach the race finish, then drive back to Alpe d'Huez. If you plan to ride the full roundtrip without a car rental, plan to start early and leave as soon as possible after the race finish. If neither is of interest, then we recommend a nice ride to the summit of the Galibier and back - this is no easy ride, but can be done in 4 hours. (B,D)
July 14 Bastille Day! The Tour de France leaves from Chambery and goes to Gap. The race route may pass within cycling distance in the Valbonais area. This makes for a great long distance and relatively moderate climbing ride. Return to Alpe d'Huez via Allemont. (B,D)
July 15 Today is an open day to ride whatever you want! We suggest a trip to La Berarde that goes deep into the Parc des Ecrins and then return to Les Deux Alpes by chairlift for lunch. Descend to Chambon and go up to Alpe d'Huez via the challenging and spectacular Col de la Sarenne. Add on Besse for added climbing! Oof! (B,D)
July 16 What's left? Have you done a time trial up Alpe d'Huez from Bourg d'Oisans?! Today may be the day to test yourself! Start with a long descent via Allemont and visit Vaujany or Oz en Oisans before returning back to Bourg d'Oisans. Then give it 100% to Alpe d'Huez. Under and hour and your super strong! Celebrate tonight in Alpe d'Huez! (B,D)
July 17 Departure Day. You can leave on your own after breakfast. Return buses to Grenoble or private transfers possible. If you rented a car, it can be returned at Grenoble or kept for return elsewhere in France. (B)
Virtual Tour
See more of this region by clicking below for the virtual tour
Tour Map
Tours Details
Alpes Self Guided - Alpe d'Huez
DATES:
July 10-17, 2010
7 nights & 8 days
PRICE:
1290 Euros, based on double occupancy.
Single supplement: please contact us
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
All lodging in superior 3 star hotel and rooms, (see below), all breakfasts, all dinners - each night according to the itinerary, souvenir Discover France TDF jersey, energy pack with drink mix, gels and bars, route book for rides and 1 GPS for 2 persons, arrival orientation at the hotel, telephone support/assistance throughout the trip to our France office. Also included are Pre-Travel documentation. We also provide Pre & Post tour travel services such as help with trains, Paris hotels, rental cars and other services.
HOTELS:
Alpe d'Huez = Le Pic Blanc***
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.
LEVEL:
This tour is suggested as a challenging cycling tour in order to watch the TDF, however non-riders can join and do their own thing. Participants are not requierd to ride a lot, but in this location it is impossible to avoid climbing! The suggested rides that go with the itinerary description will vary from 50-175km; but saddle time is more important as climbing is slow and this can mean up to 6 hours (or as much as 8-9 hours on the Marmotte route) saddle time.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE:
Grenoble is suggested Arrival and Departure City - accessible by TGV from Paris, nearest airport is Lyon. Car rentals can be had at any of these locations.
OPTIONS:
Bike rentals are available on a first come, first served basis. We offer Look 566 carbon road bikes and also new Scott CR1 carbon road bikes. See the links above or click on our Rental Page link to know more.
Added Nights: we are available to help book additional hotel nights in any other city before or after the tour. Contact us for quotes. We can also book Paris hotels.
Non-cycling spouse:a very slight reduction is possible for the jersey & energy pack. Non-riders are welcome to come along but separate activities are not provided for apart from the ride itinerary described on this page. Hiking and other activities are possible from Alpe d'Huez. For a more moderate cycling option and other activities for couples, we recommend our Provence-Pyrenees VIP Tour.
OTHER DETAILS:
Self Guided - see our description at this link; note that we are available to help, but you are on your own for cycling each day.
Space is available
for 16 participants.
Meals: buffet breakfasts are included daily. Dinners, where included, will be hardy Alpine meals with multiple courses; wine is not always included.
Watching the Tour: you will have to position yourselves to see the race each time you go to watch the Tour but no special access is included in this offer. If some participants wish to add a helicopter flight or other VIP service, please contact us to know what is possible.
Tour de France Tours - Booking Terms
