King of the Mountains Tour
Itinerary Virtual Tour Tour Map
Alpes, Mont Ventoux, and the Pyrenees all in 1 trip! Only for the strongest of the strong; we offer this trip for private groups only in 2010.
This tour can only be called a KOM trip, our objective was to pack as many of the most famous climbs of the Tour de France into one trip! We have it as short as it can be and there is some ground to cover, so some drive time is involved, but what a trophy trip this is! Starting in the Alpes, we conquer Alpe d'Huez, the Galibier, and possibly Les Deux Alpes and a few smaller cols. We then move to Mont Ventoux briefly, and then finish the trip in the Pyrenees with the Tourmalet, Hautacam, Luz Ardiden, and l'Aubisque if time allows. The brief itinerary below is meant to give interested parties an idea about what is involved, and to show that this trip is intended for only the strongest cyclists. We can provide more details to interested groups, please contact us!
We operated this trip for some large tour operators for some years, but the market is small for such a challenging trip. So, we keep it only for private groups seeking a challenge. The best period is August or June. September hotels in the mountains start to close. These groups can be from 6 persons up to 24. Its all about the cycling in some of the most amazing scenery on Earth! An ultimate challenge, if you complete the journey, you'll have yet another souvenir to show all the local club riders back home!
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 9
Day 1: Arrival day, meet in Grenoble and transfer to Alpe d'Huez. Welcome meeting, bike set up, and time to visit the town before dinner together tonight in this legendary cycling mecca. (D)
Day 2: First Objective: Alpe d'Huez. In order to ensure everyone bags this one we will start with a long warm up ride and then attack the Alpe and its 21 switchbacks! Once back in Alpe d'Huez, those who want can add some miles over the Col de la Sarenne and down to Besse and then back up! Dinner included tonight in the same hotel (B,L,D).
Day 3: Ride 2 - Lautaret and Galibier: Down from Alpe d'Huez to Bourg d'Oisans and then starts a long and mostly uphill ride to the biggest of the region, the Galibier. First is the Lautaret pass where we can rest, have a snack and then continue on the last 8km up to the Galibier. Return back the same way and then subject to time and interest we can add in Les Deux Alpes, or go back up the Alpe via the Sarenne for a challenge. Same hotel, dinner open in Alpe d'Huez. (B,L)
Day 4: Travel day to Mont Ventoux, 4 hours driving. BOnce in Bedoin, we can take the bikes down for a leisure spin ride through the vineyard country and enjoy a totally different landscape - uniquely Provence! Night in a charming 3 star hotel with pool, dinner on the terrace to the sound of nature! (B,L,D)
Day 5: Mont Ventoux: 21 km from Bedoin and all climbing! Moderate at first and then consistently above 8%. The last 6km above tree line keep the summit in site. Once on top, we'll have a snack and enjoy the ambiance of all the cyclists present and then go down via Sault. We take a lovely ride through lavender fields to the small route through the Gorges de la Nesque. Finish back at Bedoin after a long and satisfying day! (B,L,D).
Day 6: Travel day to the Pyrnees. A rather long drive to Argeles sur Gazost and the foot of the Hautacam is in store today. We break up the drive with a lunch and visit at the UNESCO world heritage site of Carcassonne and the medieval cite. Once at Argeles, we have a very comfortable 3 star hotel where we have dinner and rest for another epic day tomorrow. (B,L,D)
Day 7: The longest and most epic day of the tour: Tourmalet and Luz Ardiden ( 140+ km) We ride out and have a rolling ride to the Bagneres de Bigorre where the route starts the uphill. Long and gradual at first it gets very steep before La Mongie and then to the summit of the Tourmalet. Down the back side for a long 18km descent and then back up 13km to the ski station of Luz Ardiden. Back down and a moderate rolling ride return to Argeles. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Hautacam and Aubisque: Being just next to the Hautacam we don't have to ride far to reach the start of this climb. We return back down and then in the long uphill to the Aubisque which also includes the Soulor traveling in this direction. We finish the ride back at Argeles with about 90 km and the key peaks in our bag! Celebrate tonight, dinner together! (B,L,D)
Day 9: Depart Back to Toulouse where we leave you at the train station or airport for your onward journey. End of services. (B).
Virtual Tour
See more of this region by clicking below for the virtual tour
Tour Map
Tours Details
Duration: 8 nights / 9 days - GUIDED ONLY
Dates 2010: this tour is guided and is only available to private groups with a minimum of 6 persons. Any date is possible, subject to hotel availability.
Accommodation: TBD; 3 star hotels; always with private bathrooms, and individual beds or double/queen beds for couples.
Bike: Rent our Look 566 carbon road bicycles.
Tours: serious climbing; only for the strongest cyclists in top form and without a fear of heights or fast and controlled descents.
Trip includes: lodging, dinners, breakfast, guides, welcome orientation and drink, road book with maps, luggage transfers, vehicle support, energy drinks, water, snacks and picnic lunches and souvenir jersey.
Price: Subject to hotel availability, number of participants, mode of transportation (bus or vans), and other factors. We guarantee to offer the best price possible as we own our own equipment and have guides on staff.
Single Supplement: TBD EUR