Pick up a rental car or take the bus to Freney l'Oisans and your hotel. A charming mountain inn with typical mountain charm, the owners will receive you and get you set up for your stay. See info below for getting to Freney. Dinner included. (D)




The first day will not be easy, but relatively so! You will descend into the Oisan valley toward Bourg d'Oisans and then ascend a tiny road at a nice gentle slope for several km before it goes up at about 10%. Return by cable car through Les Deux Alpes. Riding from 80 km. Dinner and night in Freney. (B,D)




It is all up from Freney d'Oisans with grades at an average of about 6.5% with max at 12+%. Return to Freney or descend to Bourg and return later. A longer option is to ride down the Lautaret toward Briancon and return. (Cat 1 and HC) . From 80 km.(B,D)



This is your "be a pro for a day" moment. With Alpe d'Huez and its 21 switchbacks lined with spectators, you can climb on your bike well in advance of the race and get the sensation of being cheared on. Find a good spot to watch the finish, and then descend by the Sarenne - a nice but steep way down that avoids the crowds. Add a short ride down to Bourg d'Oisans after to take in the ambiance and return to Freney for dinner. (B,D)



A short ride down to Bourg for the race start will give you a chance to experience the ambiance of a stage start. By the time the race moves out, you will be ready to ride yourself. We'll leave the TDF and hit the Col d'Ornon and go to Valbonnais and back in time to see the stage finish on TV. 60km or as much as 140km if you like. (B,D)galibier lautaret



We propose a long and challenging ride to the Cols du Glandon and La Croix de Fer. The full stage is a long one at 104 km with climbing between 8-12%. If you don't want to go so long, you can choose an alternative Alpe d'Huez route today. Return to the hotel to watch the TDF on TV with a drink before dinner and night in Freney.



After breakfast you are free to depart. Grenoble is 1.5 - 2 hours drive depending on traffic. Today the TDF is doing the determining time trial. You can keep your car and drive to the stage, and/or we can arrange for you to train to Paris and overnight for 2 nights near the finale on the 27th.

We can arrange extra nights in Grenoble, Lyon, Paris or other other city.

© 2008 Cycling Classics