Classic Climbs: The Alps Bike Tour

Overview

Welcome to the Alps! A short drive through the bustling heart of Annecy leads you and your new traveling companions around Lake Annecy, the cleanest lake in all of Europe, to the start of your adventure. After some initial introductions and a thorough bike fitting, your guides will take you on a challenging ride through the alpine hills and over the Col du Marais and Col de la Croix Fry. The perfect warm up ride, the Croix Fry climb has been featured in the Tour de ... Welcome to the Alps! A short drive through the bustling heart of Annecy leads you and your new traveling companions around Lake Annecy, the cleanest lake in all of Europe, to the start of your adventure. After some initial introductions and a thorough bike fitting, your guides will take you on a challenging ride through the alpine hills and over the Col du Marais and Col de la Croix Fry. The perfect warm up ride, the Croix Fry climb has been featured in the Tour de France five times, most recently in 2023. There, we will provide you with a delightful picnic lunch with a view. We'll then roll into our hotel in La Clusaz where you'll have time to relax and unpack before reconvening later in the day. This evening you’ll gather with the group for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel. Read More

Overview

Enjoy incredible riding today over some of the iconic climbs of the Tour de France. Start your day with a plentiful breakfast before heading out for a loop ride that offers spectacular roads and sprawling vistas. You'll first spin up and over the four-mile (seven km) climb to Col des Aravis, just as the pro peloton has done some 40 times since the Tour began. Today you will climb the "easier" side from La Clusaz before heading through Megève, Europe's jet-set ski r... Enjoy incredible riding today over some of the iconic climbs of the Tour de France. Start your day with a plentiful breakfast before heading out for a loop ride that offers spectacular roads and sprawling vistas. You'll first spin up and over the four-mile (seven km) climb to Col des Aravis, just as the pro peloton has done some 40 times since the Tour began. Today you will climb the "easier" side from La Clusaz before heading through Megève, Europe's jet-set ski resort village of choice. Continue on our loop through Sallanches, then pace yourself as you ascend 10 miles (16 km) with an average 7% grade up the Col de la Colombière, and enjoy a bistro lunch at the top of the pass. After we return to our idyllic hotel, relax at the pool or maybe catch up on a well-deserved nap. Tonight, you're free to explore the quaint alpine village of La Clusaz. Grab a quick pizza at a local brewpub, indulge in a hearty raclette, or sidle up to a plate of pasta. There's plenty of variety to be found tonight and your guides are more than happy to help you choose. Read More

Overview

Today prepare yourself for a gorgeous loop with classic sweeping views of the Alps. You'll start with a descent out of town, head into another steady four-mile (seven km) climb up the Col du Marais followed by a descent into the Arly Valley. Lunchtime is your chance to explore the charming village of Flumet at your leisure. After lunch, you'll tackle the more challenging side of the Col des Aravis at almost seven miles (12 km) long with an average grade of 5%. Once ... Today prepare yourself for a gorgeous loop with classic sweeping views of the Alps. You'll start with a descent out of town, head into another steady four-mile (seven km) climb up the Col du Marais followed by a descent into the Arly Valley. Lunchtime is your chance to explore the charming village of Flumet at your leisure. After lunch, you'll tackle the more challenging side of the Col des Aravis at almost seven miles (12 km) long with an average grade of 5%. Once at the top, enjoy views all the way to the Mont Blanc if the sky is clear, before a lightning fast descent to the village of La Clusaz. If you are up for more climbing, you can climb the Col de la Colombière as well. This evening you'll share a meal showcasing the best of Savoyard cuisine with your newfound friends. Tomorrow brings a lot of excitement before leading into Alpe d'Huez, so be sure to rest up! Read More

Overview

We'll begin our adventure with an incredible 13-mile (21 km) climb of Col du Glandon that has an average gradient of 6.9% and has been featured in the Tour de France 15 times. Just because we can, take a little jaunt to the summit of the Croix de Fer. Before starting the long descent off of Glandon, enjoy a satisfying crêpe with the most stunning mountain views laid out before you and then, if you'd like to spin some more, keep riding to our hotel in Les Deux Alpes... We'll begin our adventure with an incredible 13-mile (21 km) climb of Col du Glandon that has an average gradient of 6.9% and has been featured in the Tour de France 15 times. Just because we can, take a little jaunt to the summit of the Croix de Fer. Before starting the long descent off of Glandon, enjoy a satisfying crêpe with the most stunning mountain views laid out before you and then, if you'd like to spin some more, keep riding to our hotel in Les Deux Alpes or opt for a quintessential Alps experience by ascending via cable car. Les Deux Alpes is your port-of-call for the next two nights and where you’ll find Chalet Mounier, our mountain lodging. Once at the chalet, you’ll enjoy a warm family welcome and incredible views of the mountains that surround you. Tonight, dinner is on your own in town again and, as always, your guides will be happy to recommend more of their favorite spots in town. Take some time to rest and get ready for tomorrow's legendary ride! Read More

Overview

Are you ready to inscribe your legs into the book of legends? After a hearty breakfast, today's ride begins with a descent down into the valley to the base of the mythical Alpe d’Huez. Each of the 21 switchbacks is named after a winner of this climb in the Tour de France, each one baiting you to ride to the next. After ascending to the summit of the historic pass, snap some photos then fuel up over lunch while you bask in the afterglow of your conquest and savor t... Are you ready to inscribe your legs into the book of legends? After a hearty breakfast, today's ride begins with a descent down into the valley to the base of the mythical Alpe d’Huez. Each of the 21 switchbacks is named after a winner of this climb in the Tour de France, each one baiting you to ride to the next. After ascending to the summit of the historic pass, snap some photos then fuel up over lunch while you bask in the afterglow of your conquest and savor the astounding views. If you’re eager for more, continue up and over the mountain to attack Col de Sarenne. This quiet road is popular with locals as an understated, less-traveled, and equally difficult challenge that culminates at the top of the mountain from the opposite side of the Alps. After an exhilarating descent, choose to ride back to Les Deux Alpes directly or opt for a shuttle and enjoy the gorgeous spa of the hotel. Tonight, you’ll meet for drinks with a striking view of the mountains before you savor a hearty, well-earned Savoyard dinner with your mountain goat companions, reliving all the great climbs and descents you've tackled together. Read More

Overview

It's hard to believe that our adventure has concluded. The morning is yours to recover after an epic week of cycling. You'll have time for a short spin to loosen the legs, or choose to sleep in for a full recovery. A private Trek Travel shuttle will take you to the Grenoble train station this morning to travel to your next destination. You'll say farewell to your guides at 11:00 AM at the hotel. Please do not schedule a train out of the Grenoble station before 1:00 ... It's hard to believe that our adventure has concluded. The morning is yours to recover after an epic week of cycling. You'll have time for a short spin to loosen the legs, or choose to sleep in for a full recovery. A private Trek Travel shuttle will take you to the Grenoble train station this morning to travel to your next destination. You'll say farewell to your guides at 11:00 AM at the hotel. Please do not schedule a train out of the Grenoble station before 1:00 PM. Read More