Epic Cycling Climbs of France

Epic Cycling Climbs of France Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Grenoble, France. We will meet our guides in Grenoble and transfer approximately one hour to a charming hotel in the famous town of Alp d'Huez. After a thorough bike fit and orientation talk, we can warm up with a downhill spin (time permitting) before enjoying our first taste of French cuisine at dinner this evening. Dinner included.

• Day 2

  After a hearty breakfast, we start our first full cycling day with a long, scenic warm-up descent to the small village of Villard Reculas before beginning individual timed climbs to Alp d'Huez. While the Tour de France route varies from year to year, Alp d'Huez is the most famous mountain climb and has hosted a stage finish almost every year since 1976. Located at 1869 meters (about 6100 feet) above sea level, Alp d'Huez is a year round hub of outdoor activity. A ski station in the winter, it offers glacier skiing, gondola rides, hiking and, because of the history with the Tour, it is a huge draw for cyclists. We'll keep focused on the task ahead while pushing hard through the 8% average gradient (12% max!) and counting off the famous 21 switchbacks. Fantastic panoramas and memories of legendary history-making races are guaranteed to distract you from the hard, but very gratifying, climb. Afterwards, we are rewarded with one of the most thrilling descents, and stronger cyclists can opt for more riding on other nearby famous climbs. Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included.
  
  Cycling: 26 mi/43 km (elevation gain: about 3300 ft.) with many options for longer or shorter rides.

• Day 3

  The big challenge for the day is one of the most impressive climbs in all of the French Alps: the famous leg-burning ascent of Col du Galibier! After breakfast we have a long climb up to the highest col (mountain pass) in the region, passing first over Col du Lautaret (6750 ft.) and then up, up, UP! Along the way we will pass through several tunnels and the charming little ski town of La Grave before reaching the saddle-summit of Lautaret. Up above tree line now we continue on to the Galibier pass (8681 ft.), where we can admire an amazing view over snow capped peaks all around. This summit is rife with Tour de France history, as it is not only a very popular climb on the Tour (having been climbed more than any other col in Tour history) but is also where the monument to Henri Desgranges - the founder of the Tour de France - is located. Another long descent takes us back to our hotel, or you can add on a trip up Les Deux Alpes, a category 1 climb (+15mi/24 km). Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included.
  
  Cycling: 38 mi/61 km (elevation gain: about 6500 ft.) with many options for longer or shorter rides.

• Day 4

  This is the longest day of all among our rides in the Alps. We descend from Alp d'Huez via the Col de la Sarenne and take a long rolling ride to Allemont. Here, the climbing begins again as we push up to Glandon and Croix de Fer before returning to Alp d'Huez via Villard Reculas or Bourg d"Oisans. We'll celebrate our last night in the Alps on the hotel terrace overlooking peaks as far as the eye can see! Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included.
  
  Cycling: 69 mi/115 km (elevation gain: about 9300 ft.).

• Day 5

  After breakfast we say goodbye to the Alps and transfer 4 hours to Provence and the quaint town of Bédoin located at the foot of Mont Ventoux. We'll still have time in the afternoon for a nice spin through lavender fields and vineyards to keep the legs warmed up for tomorrow's big ascent. Be sure to leave some time for visiting the village, and perhaps a dip in the refreshing pool! Dinner tonight will be on the terrace of our very charming Provencal hotel with the sound of cicadas in the background. Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included.
  
  Cycling: 30 mi/50 km.

• Day 6

  Known locally as the Giant of Provence, the infamous climb up Mont Ventoux is long and steep with little relief from the first turn of the crank in the direction up! At an average grade of between 9% and 10% for the first 9 miles, it will take some time to reach the summit. But who's in a hurry? We have all day to do as much or as little of this climb as we like. We'll make a stop for water, snacks and a much needed break at Chalet Reynard, 3 ½ miles below the summit. The final miles are breathtaking with beautiful open views of the Provencal countryside. After a mountaintop photo we have a great descent and ride through the Gorges de la Nesque on our way back to the hotel. Options abound, and for those wanting to give their legs a rest we will have an amazing ride bypassing Mont Ventoux and instead focusing on the rolling countryside of lavender and sunflowers, as well as the option to stay behind and relax poolside and schedule a great afternoon massage. Tonight, we'll toast our newfound friends and the week's accomplishments at a final celebration dinner. Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included.
  
  Cycling: 54 mi/87 km (elevation gain: about 5100 ft.) with many options for longer or shorter rides.

• Day 7

  After breakfast and a final farewell, we will transfer 1 hour to Avignon for rail connections back to Paris or other European destinations. Please do not schedule a departure from Avignon prior to noon today. Breakfast included.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary.  If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.

Hotel accommodations; LOOK 566 carbon frame road bike; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; expert guide/leadership; vehicle support and luggage transportation.

Air transportation to France; rail transportation within France; soft drinks and alcoholic beverages; guide gratuities; laundry fees and items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Strenuous [5]. Trip members should be strong, experienced cyclists in excellent physical condition. Your physical fitness level will be a very important factor to your success and enjoyment of this trip. A serious conditioning program should be undertaken several months ahead of departure in preparation for the demands of this itinerary. Time in the saddle during the trip ranges from 4 to 8 hours a day. Although options abound and a support vehicle will be available, trip members should feel comfortable in their capability of completing extended, difficult climbs most every day of the trip. Pace and speed are not important, as there is sufficient time each day to complete the big climbs, however slower climbers and riders may have less time for extended riding. Those individuals considering taking advantage of longer cycle options should increase their pre-departure conditioning accordingly. Grades on these climbs can range from 7% to 14% and are extended over many miles with little relief. Descents are fast and caution is mandatory. Consult with your physician.

We have scheduled our departures to avoid the mid-summer heat and crowds while still traveling during periods that typically offer abundant sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Weather in the Alps can vary greatly depending on location and can be warm and sunny in the valleys and cold and wet at the summits. However, temperatures typically average from the mid 50's to mid 80's. Provence is generally warm and sunny in June and September with daytime temperatures ranging from 60° - 85° and a small chance of rain. As we are in mountainous regions, participants must be prepared for variable weather conditions that can change suddenly and include hot, sunny days, prolonged rainfall and even an occasional dusting of snow on the mountain passes.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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