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ANNOUNCING: YOUR OWN PERSONAL KING OF THE MOUNTAINS TOUR of FRANCE! We now give you the chance to join us on a supported cycling tour to ride all the big rides in one trip. This dream ride offers the Alpes, Ventoux, and the Pyrenees all in one trip! See the program below!

The focus of this program is to ride the famous routes of the Tour de France but without the famous crowds and complications of lodging and closures. For those who would like to ride these famous routes in a more tranquil environment we offer you an all in one guided trip at times apart from the pro race spectacle!

Up for a challenge? You need to be to ride this trip! From Grenoble we go up to ride Alpe d'Huez and the Col de Galibier before moving on to Mont Ventoux. Following that we will go chase down the summits of the Pyrenees: Tourmalet, Luz Ardiden, Hautacam! This guided trip will accept non-riding spouses, but all riders must be strong cyclists up to these rides. All support will be made in fuction of achieving all these great summits in one trip. And then, forever more; you can watch the Tour and know just what it takes to do what the pro riders do!

Day 1 | Meet in Grenoble. Transfer to Fresney d'Oisans to a charming hotel nestled between the huge snow capped peaks of two mountain ranges. Assemble bikes, warm up, and then dinner.

Day 2 | Alpe d'Huez. The ride isn't long but is everyone's goal, so our first objective. (56km roundtrip) After we can do more riding to include nearby climbs and possibly Croix de Fer (+72KM) or Col d'Ornon (+56km). Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner included. Return to same hotel.

Day 3 | Col de Galibier: This is the Big Daddy; a long climb up to the highest col in the region passing over first Lautaret and then up. It is also an important point where the monument to Henri Desgranges is located - the founder of the Tour de France. (64 km RT) Long descent down back to the hotel, or you can add on a trip up Les Deux Alpes (+24km). Breakfast, dinner and picnic lunch and lodging in same hotel.

Day 4 | Drive to Bedoin at the foot of Mont Ventoux. We can do a nice spin ride through lavender and vineyard areas - 50 km; and leave some time for visiting the village, a dip in the pool, and tomorrow's ride. Dinner in our very charming provenale hotel on the terrace.

Day 5 | Mont Ventoux and a long beautiful descent through the Gorges de la Nesque. 22 km from the hotel to the summit; no relief from the first turn of the crank in the direction up! We can stop for water at Chalet Reynard 6km below the summit and then on the way down, we will take a long detour through the stunning Gorges de la Nesque and pass through Sault - capital of lavender. Dinner again in our charming logement.

Day 6 | Drive to Lourdes in the Pyrenees. Fairly long drive at about 5 hours, but once we arrive we will loosen up with a spin ride to help recovery and stay ready; short ride on flat to rolling roads. Dinner at our charming hotel in this charming pilgrimage town deep in the mountains.

Day 7 | La Mongie, Tourmalet, Luz Ardiden and back up the Tourmalet. This day could be longest and most difficult of the trip. From Bagneres it is is 29 km to the summit of Tourmalet. Then a long 18 km down to Luz St Sauveur, followed by 15 km to the summit of Luz Ardiden. We return by the same way with the long 18 km climb on the Tourmalet a monster - but you will be master - and then cruising down 29 km to the hotel. A very satisfying day - one you won't forget! Dinner again tonight and rest!

Day 8 | Hautacam, with possible add on of Luz Ardiden if not made the day before. The Hautacam is a must do, and the ride there is a lovely meandering trip to the foot of Hautam when the climbing starts. Return by the same way. Roundtrip 94 km. Final dinner together tonight.

Day 9 | Depart from Toulouse. After breakfast, we return to Toulouse and drop you at the rail station.

Price: TBD Euros p/person. Single Supplement: TBD Euros

*Rate: based on 6 minimum, subject to change based on group size, it can go down with groups larger than 6. Single Traveler or less than 6? Contact us

Duration: 8 nights/9 days

Dates: OPEN - subject to availability, any group of 6 or more persons can request this tour on any date; keep in mind the season is Mid May through end of September.

Accommodation:

Alpes: Hotel Le Cassini is a charming 2 star hotel located in heart of Oisans valley. Bedoin: Hotel Les Pins - charming 3 star hotel with pool in the quiet countryside. Relais des Pyrenees/Laurent Fignon: 3 star lodging in this charming region. The hotels accommodate cycling dietary needs offering specialties of the region or vegetarian plates. Bicycle storage, laundry service, and more.

Bike: Rent our Eddy Merckx bicycles; rates TBD

Tours: The proposed climbs have an elevation between 719m (2.397 feet) and 2.556m(8520 feet), gradients vary between between 3.8 and 14 %.

Trip includes: 8 nights lodging, dinners, buffet breakfasts, picnic lunches, guide, mechanic, support vehicle, phone card, 2 water bottles, 2 CO2 cannisters, energy drinks and bars, arrival and departure transfers, full road book with maps and cue sheets, and a certificate of completion at the end! Note: prices in Euros are fixed; final payment in $US may change based upon currency fluctuations.

Rides: Alpe d'Huez - HC (hors categorie = unclassified), Col de Galibier - HC, Mont Ventoux - HC, Col de Tourmalet - HC, Luz Ardiden - HC, Hautacam - Cat 1, Les Deux Alpes - Cat 1, Lautaret - Cat 2, Croix de Fer - Cat 2, Glandon - Cat 2, and other "smaller" climbs! Mileage can vary from 40 to 120 km in a day. Time in the saddle can be from 3 to 6 hours or more. Pace/speed is not important; there is time to do the key climbs. Slower climbers and riders may have less time for extended riding, but the stronger riders can go at their pace. Grades on these HC climbs can go from 7% to 14% and is extended over many km with no relief. Descents are fast and caution is required.

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