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2010 Cycling Alps and Pyrenees

July 10th to July 19th, 2010 (evening)

Itinerary - What's Included - Options

This trip will cover the important stages through the Alps and the first 2 stages in the Pyrenees with an opportunity to witness up to 6 stages of the Tour. In addition rides up Alpe d'huez and Mont Ventoux are planned!

Optional (but limited) VIP Access is available. A minimum of 2 cycling distances are offered daily.
Please read below for a daily itinerary.

Stages which allow for the best opportunities to get vip access are mentioned as such.

Registrations:
A 25% deposit per person is required to reserve a spot. If places are still available when we receive your application along with deposit, you will receive notification of your registration. If the trip is sold out, you will be given the option to be placed on a waiting list or choice of another trip. Waitlist order is on a first come first serve basis as well.

ITINERARY

2010 TOUR DE FRANCE - Cycling Pyreenes to Paris Short

Rate : $3995.00/person

9 nights, 10 days - July 10th to July 19th (evening)

Pick up in Geneva airport - Drop off Toulouse airport

Highlights: Stages in the Pyrenees, Alps, ride Alpe d'Huez and Mont Ventoux.

OPTIONS: Bike rental / Trip insurance / Post-trip extension to see the Tour de France through its arrival in Paris / VIP experience of the race

July 10th
Hotel Location: heart of the Northern Alps
We will be picking up at Geneva airport around Noon and will make the 1 hour drive to get to our hotel very conveniently located near many famous climbs and Tour stage route!
Our first hotel will also be home for the first 3 nights of this trip!

Once checked-in, those riding will assemble bikes, our mechanic will be on hand to help and, time allowing, we'll take a short ride to ensure proper working condition of the bikes. It will then be time to get together over a welcome toast, do proper introductions and go over the next few day's fun and action... of course a nice dinner will follow!

July 11th
Hotel Location: heart of the Northern Alps
We'll take full advantage of our perfect hotel location for the next few days. We will depart the hotel by bike to rally our viewing location on the very difficult col de la Ramaz. The ride is 65km (41mi.) with 1650m (5500') of elevation gain; a good first day outing!
We'll witness all the pageantry surrounding a mountain stage see the publicity caravan go by and finally the peloton.

(*this is a good stage to get VIP access to the start, helicopter or finish)

July 12th
Hotel Location: heart of the Northern Alps
Today is the first rest-day on the 2010 Tour de France and while there is no racing happening, the pro-riders must keep their legs moving. We will know the hotels of each and every team and will try to go visit one of them. Our hotel is also located at the base of the famous col de la Colombiere so en-route to Morzine, we'll be sure to ride this climb. This climb is also featured on tomorrow's stage.

The ride destination will vary a bit depending on which hotel location we are heading to, but it is 70km to Morzine with 1850m of elevation gain (a bit over 6000'). As every day, we will offer a shorter ride alternative for those who wish! Morzine is a very pleasant alpine village (small town), so we will try to arrive in time for lunch and enjoy some down time there before visiting a team.

Col de la Colombiere

July 13th
Hotel Location: Alpe d'Huez
The race is heading South through the Alps and we will do the same. Given our excellent hotel location, we will leave directly on bike, and those who wish to leave quite early and put in an epic ride can attempt the final 3 climbs on this stage; Col des Aravis, Saisies and Madeleine... all great classics! 120kms and 3650m (11,950') in elevation gain

A more "reasonable" ride will skip the first 2 climbs and run 80km with 2120m of elevation gain (about 7000').

Once the stage has gone by we'll make the drive to our next hotel on Alpe d'Huez.

July 14th
Hotel Location: Alpe d'Huez
Happy Bastille Day!!!
This is the final stage through the French Alps and it takes place on Bastille day... it should be quit festive!

We will ride out from the hotel to get to our private viewing locationalong the course to see the race go by (private viewing location setup).

Once the race has gone by we will return to the hotel by bike, riding up the infamous 21 switchbacks of the climb to alpe d'Huez. Those who prefer to ride the climb "fresh" will have the option of riding it first thing in the morning prior to going to our viewing location.

(*this is a good stage to get VIP access to the start, helicopter or finish)

July 15th
Hotel Location: Provence

After the past few days spent cycling the high mountains, today we ride an amazing road through the beautiful Vercors region. During Word War 2, the region was used by the “Resistance” to hide from German invasion. Given the rugged terrain it is easy to see why!

We’ll plan our ride in the morning and will stop for lunch in one of the most “French” regions of the country. We'll enjoy a very nice lunch alongside the Isere river and will then go to Bourg-Les-Valences to catch the stage finish.

After the stage is over we will make the drive south to get to the base of Mont Ventoux!

(*this is a good stage to get VIP access to the start, helicopter or finish)

July 16th
Hotel Location: Provence
Given our hotel's location at the base of Mont Ventoux, there is but one possible ride today: going up the "Geant de Provence" from the Southern side - Bedoin (same side as used by the pros).
We will then have some R&R time in the afternoon.

Mont Ventoux profile

Loop ride profile

July 17th
Hotel Location: Ariege
We'll have a bit of a drive to get into the Pyrenees today so we will start our ride relatively early. The Provence region can get rather hot, so getting an early start won't be a bad thing.

This wonderful ride will take us by Gordes (one of France's most beautiful villages), and end 80kms later at les Baux de Provence. A feast for the eyes!

We'll have some time for lunch and will then board our bus to make the long drive to the Pyrenees and out next hotel, in a perfect location for the next couple of stages.

July 18th
Hotel Location: Ariege
Once again we'll be leaving our hotel by bike today and will see the stage in the final climactic climb to Ax-3-Domaines.

We will be riding a road which hugs the crest of a hill to get to Ax-les-Thermes and from there, each will be able to pick their spot amongst the crazy Basque fans to view the race come through!

This is also our last evening together and we'll make sure to properly celebrate over a nice dinner.

(*this is a good stage to get VIP access to the finish)

July 19th
Hotel Location: N/A
For our final day together we will see the race in 2 locations. We will ride to the start where we will get to see the riders sign-in for the day. Starts are always a great place to get pictures and hopefully autographs (dont' forget your Sharpie!)

The ride will be about 45km rolling.

Once the stage is off, we will hurry to get to Bagneres de Luchon where we will get to see the stage finish.

(*this is a good stage to get VIP access to the start, helicopter or finish)

Once the stage is over, it will then be time to get you to Toulouse where we will drop-off at the airport (around 7:30pm to 8:00pm in all likelyhood)

We can help you with a hotel room for that evening or you may wish to extend your stay to follow the TDF all the way up to Paris!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

- Transfer from Geneva airport and to Toulouse airport
- Hotel rooms based on double occupancy (9 nights).
- All breakfasts at the hotels
- All but two dinners

- 3 lunches
- Air-conditioned, Touring bus with Video and Restrooms

- viewing of 6 stages
- Preferred viewing location on July 11th

- Preferred viewing location on July 14th
- Deluxe minibuse(s) for support
- Guides and support staff
- 2 ride distances daily
- Daily information with maps, cue sheets, other Tour information
- Detailed tour itinerary
- Pre-departure information detailing the trip, hotels, contact information, what to bring, and other essential info.
- Memories to last a lifetime!

OPTIONS

- VIP Access to stages

- Extension to see the TDF through to Paris = est. $2500

- Bike rental
- Trip Insurance

July 10th Hotel Location: heart of the Northern Alps We will be picking up at Geneva airport around Noon and will make the 1 hour drive to get to our hotel very conveniently located near many famous climbs and Tour stage route! Our first hotel will also be home for the first 3 nights of this trip!
Once checked-in, those riding will assemble bikes, our mechanic will be on hand to help and, time allowing, we'll take a short ride to ensure proper working condition of the bikes. It will then be time to get together over a welcome toast, do proper introductions and go over the next few day's fun and action... of course a nice dinner will follow!

July 11th Hotel Location: heart of the Northern Alps We'll take full advantage of our perfect hotel location for the next few days. We will depart the hotel by bike to rally our viewing location on the very difficult col de la Ramaz. The ride is 65km (41mi.) with 1650m (5500') of elevation gain; a good first day outing! We'll witness all the pageantry surrounding a mountain stage see the publicity caravan go by and finally the peloton. (*this is a good stage to get VIP access to the start, helicopter or finish)


July 12th Hotel Location: heart of the Northern Alps Today is the first rest-day on the 2010 Tour de France and while there is no racing happening, the pro-riders must keep their legs moving. We will know the hotels of each and every team and will try to go visit one of them. Our hotel is also located at the base of the famous col de la Colombiere so en-route to Morzine, we'll be sure to ride this climb. This climb is also featured on tomorrow's stage. The ride destination will vary a bit depending on which hotel location we are heading to, but it is 70km to Morzine with 1850m of elevation gain (a bit over 6000'). As every day, we will offer a shorter ride alternative for those who wish! Morzine is a very pleasant alpine village (small town), so we will try to arrive in time for lunch and enjoy some down time there before visiting a team.
Col de la Colombiere

July 13th Hotel Location: Alpe d'Huez The race is heading South through the Alps and we will do the same. Given our excellent hotel location, we will leave directly on bike, and those who wish to leave quite early and put in an epic ride can attempt the final 3 climbs on this stage; Col des Aravis, Saisies and Madeleine... all great classics! 120kms and 3650m (11,950') in elevation gain A more "reasonable" ride will skip the first 2 climbs and run 80km with 2120m of elevation gain (about 7000'). Once the stage has gone by we'll make the drive to our next hotel on Alpe d'Huez.


July 14th Hotel Location: Alpe d'Huez Happy Bastille Day!!! This is the final stage through the French Alps and it takes place on Bastille day... it should be quit festive! We will ride out from the hotel to get to our private viewing locationalong the course to see the race go by (private viewing location setup). Once the race has gone by we will return to the hotel by bike, riding up the infamous 21 switchbacks of the climb to alpe d'Huez. Those who prefer to ride the climb "fresh" will have the option of riding it first thing in the morning prior to going to our viewing location. (*this is a good stage to get VIP access to the start, helicopter or finish)


July 15th Hotel Location: Provence After the past few days spent cycling the high mountains, today we ride an amazing road through the beautiful Vercors region. During Word War 2, the region was used by the “Resistance” to hide from German invasion. Given the rugged terrain it is easy to see why! We’ll plan our ride in the morning and will stop for lunch in one of the most “French” regions of the country. We'll enjoy a very nice lunch alongside the Isere river and will then go to Bourg-Les-Valences to catch the stage finish. After the stage is over we will make the drive south to get to the base of Mont Ventoux! (*this is a good stage to get VIP access to the start, helicopter or finish)


July 16th Hotel Location: Provence Given our hotel's location at the base of Mont Ventoux, there is but one possible ride today: going up the "Geant de Provence" from the Southern side - Bedoin (same side as used by the pros). We will then have some R&R time in the afternoon.	Mont Ventoux profile Loop ride profile


July 17th Hotel Location: Ariege We'll have a bit of a drive to get into the Pyrenees today so we will start our ride relatively early. The Provence region can get rather hot, so getting an early start won't be a bad thing. This wonderful ride will take us by Gordes (one of France's most beautiful villages), and end 80kms later at les Baux de Provence. A feast for the eyes! We'll have some time for lunch and will then board our bus to make the long drive to the Pyrenees and out next hotel, in a perfect location for the next couple of stages.

July 18th Hotel Location: Ariege Once again we'll be leaving our hotel by bike today and will see the stage in the final climactic climb to Ax-3-Domaines. We will be riding a road which hugs the crest of a hill to get to Ax-les-Thermes and from there, each will be able to pick their spot amongst the crazy Basque fans to view the race come through! This is also our last evening together and we'll make sure to properly celebrate over a nice dinner. (*this is a good stage to get VIP access to the finish)


July 19th Hotel Location: N/A For our final day together we will see the race in 2 locations. We will ride to the start where we will get to see the riders sign-in for the day. Starts are always a great place to get pictures and hopefully autographs (dont' forget your Sharpie!) The ride will be about 45km rolling. Once the stage is off, we will hurry to get to Bagneres de Luchon where we will get to see the stage finish. (*this is a good stage to get VIP access to the start, helicopter or finish) Once the stage is over, it will then be time to get you to Toulouse where we will drop-off at the airport (around 7:30pm to 8:00pm in all likelyhood) We can help you with a hotel room for that evening or you may wish to extend your stay to follow the TDF all the way up to Paris!



WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Transfer from Geneva airport and to Toulouse airport - Hotel rooms based on double occupancy (9 nights). - All breakfasts at the hotels - All but two dinners - 3 lunches - Air-conditioned, Touring bus with Video and Restrooms - viewing of 6 stages - Preferred viewing location on July 11th - Preferred viewing location on July 14th - Deluxe minibuse(s) for support - Guides and support staff - 2 ride distances daily - Daily information with maps, cue sheets, other Tour information - Detailed tour itinerary - Pre-departure information detailing the trip, hotels, contact information, what to bring, and other essential info. - Memories to last a lifetime!
OPTIONS
- VIP Access to stages - Extension to see the TDF through to Paris = est. $2500 - Bike rental - Trip Insurance