Travel to Gap and your hotel. Installation – welcome meeting – bike delivery - and orientation of our program for the week. The hotel is in central Gap. To get here, trains from Lyon, Valence, and Grenoble are possible. Plan 6 hours travel time from Paris. 3 star hotel with swimming pool, dinner included. (D)



A lovely ride that starts out gently over rolling and slight flat terrain and passes the beautiful lake before Embrun. Continue on you start to climb and then at Guillestre, you begin the long ascent of the Izoard (hors categorie) followed by a long descent into Briancon. A very rewarding day, followed by a nice 3 star hotel in Briancon with dinner. (B,D)



Don't let the distance cycled fool you! From the first pedal stroke out of Briancon you begin to climb. Though it is moderate and at times levels off, you are starting on the long Lautaret climb. Once on top of the Lautaret you can take a short break at the chalet before the steep 8km climb to the Galibier summit (up to 12% grade). After, its all downhill into Valloire, a charming ski town where you can relax in your chalet style hotel (***). An option to add miles, if you feel you need to, is to descend toward Bourg d'Oisans and return up to the Galibier via La Grave. (B,D)



From the hotel you start up the Col du Telegraphe then down and toward St Jean de Maurienne. Several options exist to reach La Toussuire, none of them easy but mileage changes up to total of 120 km. Arriving in La Toussuire, you again have a very comfortable 3 star chalet style lodging awaiting. Kick back in the jacuzzi or pool, and rest for a big day tomorrow! (B,D)



You can start out with a descent from Toussuire until you pick up the main road to the Croix de Fer (HC). Then down to the Glandon and more descent toward Oisans Valley. You have a couple ways to reach Alpe d'Huez, but the traditional way is via Bourg d'Oisans for the full ride and ascent of Alpe d'Huez. Descend back down 5km after Alpe d'Huez to your hotel in Huez just below. A comfortable mountain chalet with amazing views over the valley await, along with a hardy dinner. (B,D)

Alpe d'Huez: This vertical climb of 1.120m (3.733 feet), 14 km (8.75 miles) long, gradients between 7.7 and 12% and 21 switchbacks is one of the most historical and heroic ones in the history of the Tour de France.




Several options exist today, including a day off to travel by cable car to the peaks over Alpe d'Huez. A suggested cycling route takes you over the little traveled Sarenne, down to Cambon dam and up to Les Deux Alpes. Fly over the mountains and descend down to Bourg d'Oisans and up once again Alpe d'Huez. Dinner and same hotel. (B,D)



At your leisure; buses return to Grenoble via Bourg d'Oisans. From Grenoble you can get a train to other points including Paris. (B)

© 2008 Cycling Classics