Cycling Classics

Challenging Cycling Tours in France

April 2011

Custom Guided Tours

More and more experienced cyclists are wanting a custom guided tour each year and why not. Choosing what towns you visit or mountains you climb puts you in control, but you are also allowed to sit back and focus on your ride while our local, accomplished and professionally licensed guides lead the way. Our guides are highly qualified and the best in the business so you can rest assured, you are in good hands.

Want to climb Mont Ventoux, the French Alpes and Pyrenees? We can make it happen! In fact, a past client designed this tour, nicknaming it the King of the Mountains (KOM) Tour. It has proven to be popular among cyclists and replicated by a handful of them wanting to gain some rightfully earned bragging points. You can read one of their stories here.

Some other custom itineraries we have put together include Lille to Nice, Crossing the Alpes, and Pyrenees Challenge. If you want to go at it without a guide, we also offer custom self-guided tours for a minimum of six travelers. Whether it is guided or self-guided tours that sparks your interest get your group together and start making your dream trip now!

Rating the Climbs

Categorization of the Tour de France climbs are based on: length of the climb; altitude difference from bottom to top; average and steepest grade; summit elevation; timing of climb in the stage (early or late); and width and conditions of the road. Points are distributed to the riders over the top first based on the climbs category: 4 (easiest), 3, 2, 1 and hors category (HC) which is the most difficult. Some climbs that have been classified as HC in the past include Hautacam, Col du Tourmalet, Col du Galibier, and Col d’Aubisque.