VéloSki Sports

Day 1

Arrival

We meet you at the Geneve, Switzerland airport for the short van transfer to our start hotel.  At the hotel we will help you get settled and offer suggestions for a short shake-the-legs-out ride in the hills near Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). Our welcome dinner will feature regional fare and allow everyone to get to know each other.

Day 2

les Carroz

102km, 2200m climbing, mostly 7-9% grades

The start of our odyssey along the Routes des Grandes Alpes begins with views of Lac Leman as we climb alongside a glacier fed stream to the ski resort of Morzine. Here we pause for a late morning café and pastry before continuing over the Col de la Joux-Plane; the first of the ‘big name’ climbs of our tour. The road surface is nearly flawless, as this is a perennial favourite climb for the Dauphine-Libere and the Tour de France each summer. Descending into Samoens we marvel at the descent before our final climb to les Carroz.

Day 3

Albertville

125km, 3100m climbing or 91km, 1900m climbing, mostly 7-9% grades

Riding into the heart of the Haut Savoie we are treated with the sound of cowbells as we climb three perennial favourites of the Tour de France; the Colombiere, the Aravis and the Saissies with an option for the Col du Pre. This is the region of Rebloucon and Beaufort cheeses; an optional visit to the Beaufort cheese cooperative just to smell the curing cheese will invigorate you for the final climb of the Col du Pré. Or...beckon you to continue directly to our luxurious 3 star hotel in the heart of Albertville, where our hosts SuChen and José greet us with smiles and the promise of a delicious dinner. 

Day 4

Albertville loop rides

114km, 2100m climbing; 96km, 1700m climbing; 50km, 300m climbing; occasional 10% grades

Albertville was the host of the 1988 Winter Olympics, so it is ideally situated for skiing during the winter months. The roads to the ski stations are well maintained and provide cyclists with spectacular riding opportunities just a few kilometres from town. The “must do” ride today is up the Beaufortain valley along the Isere river to the base of the mighty Col de la Madeleine. The first few switchbacks announce that this is a serious climb, but after a few kilometres you settle into a more comfortable rhythm. The ascent brings you thru lush meadows and along deep canyons to a mandatory café stop on the summit. Here you evaluate your energy level and decide; continue over and down thru la Chambre or return directly to Albertville. Either way, the riding is awesome and scenery is always changing. We are definitely not in Kansas Toto. 

Day 5

Val d’Isere

105km, 2700m climbing; 90km, 2200m climbing

Leaving the Beaufortain behind, we tackle the inspiring Cormet de Roselend, the classic climb between the upper Isere and the Haut-Savoie regions of the French Alps. This is a wonderful almost flattish climb through lush forests that open to broad meadows as we reach the top of the first climb of the day, the Col du Pré.  A short reprieve as we traverse the shores of Lac de Roselend, then it is climbing in earnest to the Cormet; actually more of a saddle than a pass. Descending to Bourg St. Maurice is another exhilarating high stimulus adventure in bike handling skills; careful at Johann’s corner. Bourg St Maurice seems like a good refuelling stop before choosing between the direct route and the “bonus” climbing route to Val d’Isere.   Val d’Isere, famous in the ski world for early snows, long winters and Olympic Gold Medallist Jean Claude Killy, is our resting place tonight.

Day 6

Saint Jean de Maurienne

100km, 1200m climbing; mostly 7-8%, some 9-10% sections

The day starts out with a few kilometres of gentle riding, and then it is all business for the next 14km as we gain nearly 900m in elevation before reaching the Col de l’Iseran. From here it is downhill almost all the way to Saint Jean de Maurienne. 

Day 7

Saint Jean-de-Maurienne loop options

74km, 2500m climbing; mostly 7-8% grades with some 9-10% sections

The loop that I have planned for today is one of the classic loops in the Maurienne valley and includes two famous climbs and a little known but delightful third climb.  Of course there is also the option of re-enacting the stage finish up to the ski station at la Toussuire where Floyd bonked. 

I recommend riding the suggested loop in a counterclockwise direction so that your legs are the freshest for the steepest parts of the climb over the Col du Glandon; and to get over the top before the heat of the day.  See maps for details on the ride.  As you look at the maps you will see many climbs and roads leading high into the mountains.  Explore and enjoy. 

Or perhaps a tour of the Opinel museum whereall or the knife' production secrets will be unveiled to you.
 

Day 8

Bourg d’Oisans

64km, 1200m climbing; 93km, 2300m climbing; 119km, 3000m climbing; some sustained 10% grades

We gently roll along the Maurienne valley to the base of the Col du Telegraphe; our first challenge of the day.   The Col du Telegraphe climbs mercifully at a rather mellow grade of 6-8% for most of the distance to this reprieve in our climb to the Col du Galibier. We arrive in Valloire after a short descent and begin climbing thru town.  Climbing the last kilometres to the top of the Col du Galibier will leave you in awe of Tour de France riders and everyone else who climbs this mythic pass. The Galibier is so high that you will wonder if you lost a cog on your cassette overnight; it simply saps your legs before you get to the hardest sections. Reaching the summit you are greeted with stunning views directly into the National  Parc des Ecrins ; le Meije (one of the biggest glaciated massifs in the parc) dominates the skyline and serves as the backdrop to some of the best off-piste skiing in Europe at la Grave.  Descending to the Col du Lautaret for café you will be elated to know that it is essentially downhill for the next 32km to Bourg d’Oisans.  

Day 9

Bourg d’Oisans loops

Alpe d’Huez

60km, 1700m climbing; several 10% grades of 1km duration

OK...if you have not ridden Alpe d’Huez, then this is your day to experience with your own legs the demands of this legendary climb.  You will find numbered switchbacks with the names of past winners of the race to the top.  And if you want to feel the intensity of the climb after a long ride over one of my favourite loops in the Oisans vallees, then I will happily lead a group over roads that are not so familiar to tourists.  Whatever your choice for the day, this is the cycling epicentre of the French Alps.  Enjoy the energy and the surroundings of Bourg d’Oisans. 

Day 10

Guillestre

117km, 2300m climbing; mostly 5-7% with sections of 8-9% grades

Riding two-by-two we spin easily along the wide bike shoulder to the base of the Col du Lautaret, then it is all business for the next 5km. Actually, the climb to the col is almost like a rest day ride due to the frequent flat and short downhill traverses as we climb thru the canyon. Although there are numerous tunnels on the route the riding is pleasant; this is France where drivers are courteous. Again, we stop for café at the col; it is kind of a habit by now, before the fun descent to Briancon.  From Briancon our next challenge is the infamous col de l’Izoard.   The descent into Guillestre finishes with a gradual riverside spin to flush our legs before relaxing in town.

Day 11

Barcelonnette

50km, 1200m climbing; mostly 7-8% grades

Today we sleep a little longer and depart a little later to enjoy the shortest day on our itinerary and allow tired legs to recover. The Col du Vars climbs thru pastures, forests and ski stations, and then it’s all downhill to Barcelonnette. Barcelonnette is unique in France; it has a Spanish motif and influence. 

Day 12 & 13

Barcelonnette loop

(Allos-Champs-Cayolle)

121km, 3340m climbing; mostly 7-8% with some 9-10% sections

The loop of the three cols is perhaps the most scenically beautiful loop in all of the Alps.  Because it is so stunningly beautiful on a sunny day, I recommend checking the weather forecast and choosing the day to ride this loop when it is expected to be sunny or at least mostly sunny.    Each of the three climbs offers strikingly different topography and vegetation, so make sure your camera batteries are charged and your memory cards are cleared before you ride.   I recommend a counter-clockwise direction for a couple of reasons: 1) you will be climbing the portions of the route that offer the best views; 2) the clockwise direction descent from Col du Champs is riddled with “water-bars” that are not fun at speed. 

--OR—

Col de la Bonnette – up and back is not to be missed and best saved for a sunny day.  Col de la Bonette at 2710m is the highest paved road in Europe.  The 1600m (over 5000’) climb from Barcelonnette to the frontier between France and Italy is breathtakingly beautiful.

Day 14

Valberg

77km, 1800m climbing; mostly 7-8% grades

Today we enter the Alpes-Maritimes of Haut Provence as we begin our final few days riding the Route des Grandes Alpes to the Mediterranean.  The Col du Cayolle is so beautiful we will pause often for photos and to soak in the pastoral serenity too.   The descent toward Guillaumes is sinuous and exhilarating before our final ascent up to Valberg.

Day 15

Sospel

109km, 2100m climbing; mostly 7-8% and lots of descending

We continue our ride thru the National Parc du Mercantour before our last few climbs of our odyssey concludes on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. We warm-up our legs with the Col de la Couillole a gentle 240m climb.  The Col St Martin, a mere 900m of climbing, followed by a fun descent into St Martin-Vesubie for café and pastries.  Then climb over the serpentine Col de Turini.  Ridge surfing from here to Sospel is the highlight of the day.   

Day 16

Menton-Nice-Vence

80km, 940m climbing; mostly 7-8% grades

Today is the day we reach the sea at the completion of our Route des Grandes-Alpes cycle tour.  While we primarily descend to the sea we are not exactly done climbing.  After a café by the water, we continue along the water toward Monaco.  Just outside of Roquebrune we climb to the Grand Corniche (high road) and la Turbie.  Once we arrive in la Turbie it is a specatacular ridgetop traverse over the Col d’Eze before descending to Nice.   We’ll ride the Promenade des Anglais  in the heart of the French Riviera before our final few kilometres of climbing to our hillside refuge in Vence.  Packing bikes and preparing for our farewell dinner will culminate our two weeks of cycling.