We will take you to your 3 star hotel at the foot of Mont Ventoux. With swimming pool and calm Provencale setting it is a perfect way to start a week long odysssy. Orientation, dinner, bike delivery, rest. (D)



Ride the main route straight up from Bedoin or try one of the other ascents. Or do a combination. We can suggest a nice warm up ride through the vineyards of the region. (B,D)



A challeging and beautiful ride over rolling terrain; it goes through Sault the capital of lavender and the gorgeous Nesque Canyon. 3 star hotel with pool awaits. (B,D)



Day 4 | Ride to Gap; 105km. Passing through Sisteron you travel into some of the quieter back country of the Pre-Alpes and on into Gap with the white cap peaks visible in the distance. 3 star hotel with swimming pool, dinner included. (B,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.



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