Cycling Classics

Challenging Cycling Tours in France

June 2011

Tour de France Deciding Climbs

With about two weeks until the peloton takes off from Vendée, everyone is preparing for the start of the 2011 Tour de France. It is predicted that the Tour winner will be determined in the end stages, specifically on the Col du Galibier and Alpe d’Huez.

Col du Galibier – This pass has been featured 31 times in Tour history and will be climbed twice this year. Galibier is considered one of the toughest Alpe cols in cycling history mainly because it can only be reached after the Col du Télégraphe or the Col du Lautaret.

Aple d’Huez – One of the most famous mountain climbs of the TDF, this 13.8 km climb features 21 switchbacks lined with chaotic crowds of spectators reaching half a million every year. Alpe d’Huez was absent from the 2009 and 2010 Tours, so you can bet everyone is ecstatic for its return appearance.

With two of the most famous cols in France being featured back to back within the last week of the Tour, this year’s finish is guaranteed to be a nail-biting fight for yellow. Good luck to all the racers!

2012 Tour de France

It’s not too early to start thinking about the 2012 TDF; the tour directors are and so are we. It has been announced that the 1st stage will leave Liege, Belgium on July 1, 2012. Although we have to wait until the full course is announced to make our VIP tours, we are taking bookings now. With a 300 Euros refundable deposit, you can reserve your spot to pick the tour you prefer first. You can also make up your own TDF Tour with the people and VIP access you choose on one of our custom trips. Email us for more details.