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Tours > Self Guided > French Alpes > Alpes + Ventoux

Alpes + Ventoux Self Guided

COMBINATION ALPES + VENTOUX - our existing 4 and 3 night programs with transfer in one tour.

On this tour you can learn how the pro riders suffer and take inspiration from the amazing beauty of these spectacular mountains. Go to the top of Alpe d’Huez, touch the monument to Henri Desgranges at the summit of the Galibier, climb Les Deux Alpes, Lautaret, and others! If you are an experienced and passionate rider, then come climb where legends have passed and been made!

At Ventoux, this mythical mountain has influenced many Tours de France over the years being famous for its steep ascent, its heat, its bald and exposed peak, and simply its legend. For those who are really strong, there is the "Club des Cingles", for which we will propose a service to achieve this status. Can you conquer the ‘Giant of Provence’?!

In the Alpes base ‘camp’ is the charming village of Le Freny-d’Oisans. This charming little mountain town is 80 km from Grenoble and 12 km from Bourg d'Oissans the attractive local capital of the Oisans mountain area. At Ventoux, base camp is a charming hotel in Bedoin at the foot of the Giant. On arrival you get a detailed briefing upon the cycling possibilities, the routes and organization of your cycling holiday. Note that space is very difficult to get at Bedoin in June and September, so we encourage advance bookings. We do have alternate hotels at Alpe d'Huez and outside Bedoin to accommodate most dates. The alternate hotels can add cost depending on rates/dates.


Maps & Profiles

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ALPES_Alpes+Ventoux_Loop Freney-Croix de fer

ALPES_Alpes+Ventoux_Loop Alpe d'Huez

ALPES_Alpes+Ventoux_Loop Freney-Galibier

 rest
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ALPES_Alpes+Ventoux_Loop Bedoin

ALPES_Alpes+Ventoux_Loop Bedoin-Nesque

    

Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8

Day 1: Arrival Day Travel from Grenoble to the hotel; regular bus service is possible for very low cost, or we can arrange a private transfer based on your arrival at the Grenoble train station. The private transfer has a supplement depending on number of persons. After hotel checkin, we do a welcome meeting and leave time for bike setup. You have an orientation of our program for the week. Excellent dinner included tonight!“wrwew" ô d’otr…

(D)

Hotel Cassini

2

Freney D'Oisans

Rob and Dirk invite you to Hotel Le Cassini in the hearth of the French Alps, an ideal operating bas...

Day 2: Make your choice... We don’t waste any time as we head out directly for warmups and some big climbs!

You may wish to ride down the valley toward Grenoble and return along a steady but gradual climb after which you can choose among Le Col de la Sarenne, Le Glandon, La Croix de Fer, the Col d' Ornon or Les Deux Alpes. Return to your same hotel and gourmet dinner tonight. (B,D)

Hotel Cassini

2

Freney D'Oisans

Rob and Dirk invite you to Hotel Le Cassini in the hearth of the French Alps, an ideal operating bas...

Day 3: L’Alpe d’Huez A legendary day - 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. Again, you can warm up with some miles in lower valleys around Bourg d’Oissans. We give you some additional ride options to put in more miles and more climbs afteward. Riding up - time yourself or arrange with the local bike shop in Bourg d'Oisans for a satelite timed ascent. Back to your hotel and gourmet dinner. (B,D)

Hotel Cassini

2

Freney D'Oisans

Rob and Dirk invite you to Hotel Le Cassini in the hearth of the French Alps, an ideal operating bas...

Day 4: Le Col du Lautaret and le Col du Galibier Today you will climb the Col du Lautaret (40kms – 25 miles) from Le Bourg d’Oisans, with a vertical climb of 1.400m (4.666 feet) and average gradients of 3.8 % (max 9%) – the climb to the Galibier is 8.5 km (5.3 miles) longer with a vertical climb of 585m (1.950 feet) with an average gradient of 6.9 % (12% max). The good news is you can come down afterward if you aren’t dizzy! Last night in the same hotel with gourmet meal again. (B,D)

Hotel Cassini

2

Freney D'Oisans

Rob and Dirk invite you to Hotel Le Cassini in the hearth of the French Alps, an ideal operating bas...

Day 5: Departure after breakfast – 10:00 transfer to Bedoin and Mont Ventoux. Allow 4 hours travel time. After checkin in Bedoin, you can use any free time to spin or visit the village. Dinner on the terrace after a dip in the swimming pool, then rest for tomorrow! (B,D)

Hotel les Pins

3

Bedoin

Blue, green, white... Mont Ventoux towers skyward watching over the hills and vineyards. At the foot...

Day 6: Mont Ventoux Today, its best to start the attack today. You can opt for a different ride to stretch and prepare if you rather do it tomorrow. All of the rides below are at your disposal. You are free to ride them in any order you wish.

To start, we suggest to climb the Mont Ventoux via the south side from Bedoin which is the most difficult route ! Starting from Bédoin, we have a climb of 21km but we suggest you to make first a nice warm-up ride through the vineyards of the Ventoux area. And then, finaly the climb: between 2 and 6% during the first kilometers but after Saint-Estève between 9 and 10,5% until Chalet Reynard... and then there are still six kilometers to go to the peak winding up in a steep stone-desert landscape. Same hotel with typical provencale dinner tonight. (B,D)

If you will attempt the Club des Cingles, we have additional advice for your preparation. This is not advised but for the strongest of riders.

Hotel les Pins

3

Bedoin

Blue, green, white... Mont Ventoux towers skyward watching over the hills and vineyards. At the foot...

Day 7: Gorges de la Nesque, Gordes, Vineyards Take your pick, all are lovely country rides. We strongly suggest the Gorges de la Nesque, it will take you through lavender country and wind alongside deep gorges and provide wonderful views. It does come with some climbs: Combe de l’Hermitage, Col N.D. des Abeilles and back via Gorges de la Nesque (canyon). Same hotel and superb dinner outdoors (weather permitting). (B,D)

Hotel les Pins

3

Bedoin

Blue, green, white... Mont Ventoux towers skyward watching over the hills and vineyards. At the foot...

Day 8: Transfer to Avignon – Departure If you have time, you can do some more riding this morning, or you can add on some additional nights. Hotel checkout is noon, and return transfer to Avignon included. (B)



What's Included

Trip includes: 7 nights lodging in excellent 2 and 3 star mountain/country inns, all gourmet dinners, daily buffet breakfast, welcome orientation, full road book with maps and cue sheets, vehicle transfer between regions, local emergency support, transfer to Avignon at end. We also include a number of pre-travel documents to help you prepare for your trip and we are available to help with train tickets, extra nights, and Paris services. Note: prices in Euros.

Tour Rates

per person with 2 participants, double occupancy 1385 euros
per person wtih 4 participants, double occupancy 1235 euros
per person with 6 participants, double occupancy 1170 euros
single supplement TBD
larger group sizes possible, please inquire contact us
Prices go down with increased participation due to the cost of the transfer as follows:

Option: Guided - we can make this a guided tour for 6 or more person - contact us for a quote.

Price: from 1385 Euros per person based on 2 in double occupancy.
Single Supplement: TBD based on group size; no solo bookings

Photos & Videos

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Bike Information

Bike: Rent our Look 566 carbon bicycles for 210 Euros plus 110 euros for shipping up to 2 bikes.

Bike rentals are available on a first come, first served basis. Click on our Rental Page link to know more.

General Tour Info

Duration: 7 nights / 8 bike days - SELF GUIDED

Dates 2011: June 1-Sept 15; this tour is self guided, and available upon request for any group of minimum of 2 persons on any date you choose; subject to hotel availability.

Accommodation: 4 nights in very charming alpine auberge** in the little hamlet of Freney d’Oisans – just below Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez. In Bedoin, you stay at a charming 3 star hotel; a 3 star hotel with swimming pool at the edge of town in quiet surroundings. Contact us for hotel details.

Tours: The proposed climbs have an elevation between 719m (2.397 feet) and 2.556m(8520 feet), gradients vary between between 3.8 and 12%.

More info: Club Des Cingles | Cycling The Ventoux from Bedoin

Tour Map


alpes bicycle tour to ventoux