2010 Polka Dot Alps

July 10th to July 15th, 2010

Itinerary - What's Included - Options

This trip starts conveniently with a pick-up at Geneva airport. The interesting stages through the Alps. Bastille day celebrations and VIP access to 3 stages. Viewing of 4 stages are planned on this trip!!!

2 ride distances will be offered daily and those not riding will be taken of the stage itineraries witnessing all the pageantry of a Tour stage.
Please read below for a daily itinerary.

 

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 - Polka Dot Alps
Rate : $2995.00/person
5 nights, 6 days - July 10th to July 15th
Pick up in Geneva airport (GVA) - Drop off at Lyon airport (LYS)
Highlights: Alps, ride Alpe d'Huez, VIP access to 3 stages.
OPTIONS: Trip insurance / Bike Rental /

 

July 10th

Hotel Location: Crozet
We will be picking up at Geneva airport at noon and will then head to Les Rousses where, thanks to our passes, we will gain access to the exclusive VIP Izoard hospitality area located about 50-75 yards from the finish line and overlooking the course. Here hostesses will serve drinks and snacks while you watch the live broadcast on Big Screen TV. After seeing the stage finish from this exclusive viewing area champagne will be served to celebrate the stage winner.
The Izoard bus is among the more exclusive areas at stage finishes and you should expect to see/meet plenty of Tour celebrities.

Once the stage is over, we will make our way to our hotel which will be "home" for the first 3 nights of the trip and will enjoy a fantastic dinner.

   
July 11th

Hotel Location: Crozet
Our hotel location is very convenient to get to the stage start in Les Rousses where we will be treated to the "Start Village". The village should open around 10:00am or so. There, we will be greeted by a person from ASO who will show us around the area and explain how things work. Thanks to our passes, we will access the rider's area, meet some of the racers, see them warm-up, meet Directeurs Sportif, personalities, possible visit of team bus, etc.

Tour starts are often a favorite part of our trips as the interaction with the riders/teams is unparalleled.

 

Once the race is off, we will take to the highway to beat the peloton to the col de la Ramaz. Those who wish to ride will be dropped off along the way and will be able to ride to the climb. After the "Voiture Balais" (broom wagon) has gone by, we'll ride down to a nearby village to follow the stage finish on TV. Seeing the stage from a cafe with the local, like-minded crowd, is always a great experience.

 

 

 

 

   
July 12th

Hotel Location: Crozet
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'll plan on visiting some of the teams hotels. The timing of the day will be determined once we have more information on the hotel locations (June), but in all likelihood, we will ride in the morning around Lake Geneva and those who wish to ride the most can ride a metric century from our hotel to Morzine. Shorter options will be available as usual.

We'll also plan on spending a bit of time in Geneva to catch up on some shopping!

   
July 13th

Hotel Location: Corps - route Napoleon
This second stage in the Alps goes over great classic climbs of the Tour; col de la Colombiere, Col des Aravis, Col des Saisies and col de la Madeleine. If you've ever dreamed of riding a Tour de France stage along roads filled with spectators and raise your arms to the sky as you cross the finish-line - today is the day it comes true!

 

Those who wish to ride on this trip will be able to ride over the final two climbs on this stage. We will need to cross the finish line around 2:00pm, which means that a relatively early start will be in order today. All so worth it!

 

Of course, we will be dropping off a bit further down the way those who wish to keep the ride distance lower. From the top of the col de la Madeleine, the ride distance is 32km mostly downhill. Custom Getaways vehicle(s) with on-course accreditation will be accompanying you and providing an extra lift if necessary, and an official Tour de France vehicle will escort us over the final few kms of the course and you will cross the finish line on closed roads.

You will then climb the official Tour podium to have your picture taken.

 

Those not riding will be driven over the course to enjoy the excitement of the climb, climb the podium, etc.

 

We'll then be able to tour the press and media/technical areas.

 

For the peloton's arrival, we will be directly overlooking the finish line to see how the pros stack up as we will have special access to the "Bulle Mangeas". Daniel Mangeas is the French commentator for the Tour de France ("La voix du Tour").

Once the stage is over we will make our way to one of our favorite hotel/restaurants in the Alps. Hopefully today's ride will have us all very hungry this evening!

 

   
July 14th

Hotel Location: Corps - route Napoleon

Happy Bastille Day!!!
This final stage through the French Alps should run right by our hotel, making it very convenient to see the race. Of course this should take place around 3:30pm or so. It just so happens that our hotel is also located en joyable 50km ride to Bourg d'Oisans; the village at the base of Alpe d'Huez. It would be a crime to be so close and not use the opportunity to ride cycling Mecca! We will head out early in the morning and ride the 21 switchbacks of Alpe d'Huez. This will leave us enough time to be back to see today's stage go by.

 

We will enjoy a final dinner together this evening to celebrate these memorable past few days together.

   

   
July 15th

Hotel Location: n/a

We will be transferring to Lyon airport (which also has a TGV train station) in the morning.

 
   

 WHAT'S INCLUDED

- Transfer from Geneva

- Transfer to Lyon airport

- All transfers throughout trip as needed

- Hotel rooms based on double occupancy (5 nights).
- All breakfasts at the hotels
- All but one dinners

- Deluxe Air-conditioned, Minibuses with on-course accreditations

- VIP access to Izoard pavilion (Stage #7 - July 10th)

- VIP access to stage start and rider's enclosure (Stage #8 - July 11th)

- Exclusive VIP ride of stage #8 with official Tour Vehicle escort just hours before the peloton
- Crossing of finish line in Saint Jean de Maurienne (Stage 8 - July 13th)
- Tour de France Podium photo finish

- Visit of technical/media areas

- Viewing of 4 stages in total

- riding Alpe d'Huez

- Bi-lingual and bi-cultural group Leader

- Bike Mechanic

- Guides

- Support Staff

- Excellent staff to guest ratio of about 1:3 / 1:4

- Tour de France Road Book (not available to the general public) showing full details of stages, profiles etc etc

- Tour de France tourist guide (not available to the general public)

- Tour de France welcome package

- Discount card for Official Tour de France stores

- Cycling Jersey

- 2 or more ride distances daily

- Detailed cue-cards, directions, maps, profile of stages, etc.

- Special Tour de France gift

- Memories to last a lifetime!

 OPTIONS

Rental Bikes. Full carbon Frame w/ Ultegra group with compact cranks (34x 25/27 low gear)
- Trip Insurance