La Route des Grandes Alpes Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean 7 day cycling tour with Alpine Cols 1-8 September 2018
From the Château de Coudrée on the shores of Lake Geneva La Route des Grandes Alpes A cycling trip you will never forget Perhaps the most iconic long-distance ride in cycling, the Route des Grandes Alpes takes you from the shores of lake Geneva to the Mediterranean beaches. On the way you will cycle over many of the great iconic climbs of the Alps, including: The col de la Colombière The Cormet de Roselend The col de l Iséran The col de Galibier The col d Izoard (and many more). During the 7-day trip you can expect to ride around 100km per day and climb 2,200m. You will be supported every metre of the way by the experienced Alpine Cols team riding with you and the support vehicle never far away. to the hotel Balmoral in Menton, on the beach of the Mediterranean Sea. ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.2
Is this trip for you? This not a trip for beginner cyclists, but you do not need to be either fast or young. The Route des Grandes Alpes has been completed by many men and women in their sixties and even seventies. The main quality required is endurance and the ability to ride for between 4 and 7 hours per day for 7 days. Al rides are fully guided and at your own pace. There will be 3 guides for no more than 10 guests, so you will be able to ride with people of a similar speed. All our guides are qualified cycling coaches. You will thus receive plenty of tips and feedback on your cycling, with suggestions for pacing, descending, nutrition and of course recovery. The minibus is always there if you need support, and you are welcome to jump aboard if you are too tired to complete the day s ride. Our route follows many of the same roads as the Haute Route Alps, but is absolutely non-competitive. There will be plenty of time to take photographs or to stop for a coffee, if you so wish.
Château de Coudrée, our starting point on Lake Geneva
PROGRAMME DAY ACTIVITIES KM M+ CLIMBS HOTEL Sat Sept 1 Sun Sept 2 Mon Sept 3 Tues Sept 4 Arrival (nearest airport Geneva) - - - Thonon-les-Bains to La Clusaz 88 2,490 La Clusaz to Bourg St Maurice 88 2,560 Bourg St Maurice to St Michel de Maurienne Col des Gets Col de la Colombière Col des Aravis Col des Saisies Cormet de Roselend 121 2,700 Col de l Iseran Château de Coudrée 4* (Sciez-sur-Léman) Beauregard 4* (La Clusaz) L Autantic 3* (Bourg St Maurice) Le Marintan 2* (St Michel de Maurienne) Wed Sept 5 St Michel de Maurienne to Serre Chevalier 65 2,100 Col du Télégraphe Col de Galibier Le Plein Sud 3* (Chantemerle) Thu Sept 6 Serre Chevalier to Jausiers 96 2,780 Col d Izoard Col de Vars Bel Air 2* (Jausiers) Fri Sept 7 Sat Sept 8 Sun Sept 9 Jausiers to Valberg 83 2,290 Valberg to Menton 136 2,835 Col de la Cayolle Valberg Col de St Martin Col de Turini Col du Castillon Departure (nearest airport Nice) 677 17,755 - - Le Chalet Suisse 3* (Valberg) Le Balmoral 3* (Menton) N.B. With the exception of the airport, there are NO minibus transfers planned during your stay. However, the option to jump in the bus is always there if you are too tired! See next pages for details of each stage. ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.4
Stage 1: Lake Geneva to La Clusaz 88km 2,490m A baptism of fire Our destination is the wonderful 4* hotel Beauregard in La Clusaz, but first we have some climbing to do After a gentle warm-up for the first 12km we tackle the short but steep col du Feu before the much easier col de Jambaz, followed by a welcome descent. The challenge of the day is called the col de la Colombière, a classic of the northern Alps. Beware, the last 3km are the hardest! Col du Feu : 6 km, 470m+ Col de la Colombière 16 km, 1108m+ Col de Megève la Colombière Col du Feu Col de Jambaz ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.5
It was so clear you were prepared to do "whatever it takes" with a smile on your face to make our experience special. Felt like I was on a tour team!!! - Scott, Ontario Stéphane, Amanda and Scott
Stage 2: La Clusaz to Bourg St Maurice 88 km 2,560m One, two three! No flats today! The climbs keep coming and keep getting tougher on this challenging ride from La Clusaz to Bourg St Maurice, in the Tarantaise valley. The climb to the col des Aravis begins immediately. Thankfully it has an easy gradient, and is soon followed by a sweeping descent to the start of the climb to the Saisies. Again there is no transition from the descent to the final climb, the stunningly beautiful Cormet de Roselend (1,967m). Col des Aravis 8 km, 446m+ Col des Saisies 15 km, 747m+ Cormet de Roselend 20 km, 1,227m+ Cormet de Roselend Col des Aravis Col des Saisies ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.7
Cormet de Roselend This is a MUST experience for every cyclist. The things that stand out for me are your team s attention to detail 5 Star personal service! - Robbie, Zurich
Stage 3: Bourg St Maurice to St Michel de Maurienne 121 km 2,700m The highest road pass in Europe Only one serious climb on the menu today, but what a climb! At 2,770m the col de l Iséran, if not quite the highest road in Europe, is the highest paved pass. Close to the Italian border, it is at the head of the Tarantaise valley and connects across to the Maurienne. We break for the night in St Michel de Maurienne, at the foot of the col du Télégraphe. Col de l Iséran 48km, 1,955m+ Col de l Iséran ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.9
I had a great time with you guys. Your organisation of everything but turning the pedals was absolutely spot on. My riding improved lots! - Steve, Tunbridge Wells Olivier with Christophe and Mark
Stage 4: St Michel de Maurienne to Serre Chevalier 65 km 2,100m A giant of the Alps Short but tough, this stage takes us over perhaps the most iconic of all the high Alpine passes, the col du Galibier (2,645m). But first we must reckon with the col du Télégraphe, a serious climb in its own right! The long descent from the Galibier brings us to Serre Chevalier, a charming and sun-blessed ski village near Briançon. Col du Télégraphe 12 km, 856m+ Col du Galibier 18 km, 1,240m+ Col du Galibier Col du Télégraphe ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.11
Eric on the Col du Galibier (2,645m)
Stage 5: Serre Chevalier to Jausiers 96km 2,780m Further and further south The vegetation changes as we continue our journey south, becoming drier and more Mediterranean. Expect the temperature to be noticeably warmer! The day begins with the long climb to the col d Izoard (2,360m). We cross the lunar landscape of the iconic Casse Desserte before another long descent and the two-step climb to the col de Vars (2,108m). Jausiers will be a welcome sight! Col d Izoard Col de Vars 20 km, 1,141m+ 19 km, 1,111m+ Col d Izoard Col de Vars ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.13
Marvin climbs the col d Izoard (2,360m)
Stage 6: Jausiers to Valberg 96km 2,780m Into the maritime Alps On the penultimate stage we tackle the last of the 2,000m+ passes, the col de la Cayolle (2,326m). If it is a hot day the climb will feel long, but we will be rewarded by a cool breeze and stunning views from the summit. The descent follows the course of the river Var until we turn off for the final climb of the day, to the ski village of Valberg. Col de la Cayolle 29 km, 1,190m+ Climb to Valberg 12 km, 870m+ Col de la Cayolle Valberg ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.15
Climbing the col de la Cayolle, Aug 2017
Stage 7: Valberg to Menton 136km 2,835m The sea, the sea! A day for descending! We have a total of 4,500m to descend on this final day, including innumerable hairpins on delightful, quiet roads. But first we must climb the col de St Martin and pass through the pretty village of St Martin de Vésubie before the col de Turini, famous from the Monte Carlo rally. After these two, the col de Castillon is a formality before the final descent to Menton and the sea. Col de St Martin 16 km, 1,020m+ Col de Turini 15 km, 1,107m+ Col de Castillon 7 km, 359m+ Col de St Martin Col de Turini Col de Castillon ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.17
Col de la Colombière The Alpine Cols experience Airport transfers The best available hotels All meals Help with bike set-up On-the-road support & resupply Coaching A full set of hi-res photographs Few people have the chance to ride regularly in the mountains, so we always offer coaching to help you make the most of the experience. SKILLS Climbing and descending Bike handling Pacing Drafting Recovery and nutrition Selecting equipment
REAL-TIME COACHING Seven days in a row in the mountains is a big step up for most people. Your coach will help you during each stage. Specifically, he or she will: Pace you up the climbs Take long pulls at the front on the flat Lead you down the descents He will also give you feedback on your technique: When to sit, when to stand on the pedals Gearing and cadence Descending technique Nutrition, hydration and recovery Yannick with Bruno, Col du Près ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.19
CYCLING COACHES Olivier, Stéphane and Yannick are not only highly qualified, experienced cycling coaches but also very strong competitors in their own right. Olivier is a past winner of the Tour de l Ain and has placed 10 th at the Marmotte; Stéphane has placed well at countless Alpine sportives while Yannick has gained several podium places at Elite level. They love sharing their experience and will work with you to help you reach your potential as a cyclist. Olivier PhD, BPJEPS Stéphane BEESAC Yannick MSc, BPJEPS ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.2 0
The Haute Route arrival village, Bagnères-de-Luchon RECOVERY Recovery is essential during multiday riding in the mountains and must be your priority from the moment you finish each day. Benefit from our post-race hydration and nutrition in those vital first 30 minutes, quickly replacing fluids, salts, carbohydrate and proteins. Relax and put your legs up at the hotel with one of our Compex electrostimulation devices. Electro-stimulation increases the blood flow to evacuate the toxins, accelerating recovery and preparing your muscles for massage. RECOVERY SUPPORT Post-stage nutrition Post-stage hydration Electrostimulation Rest and relaxation Logistical assistance Physiotherapy (extra)
DAILY BRIEFING The briefing takes place each evening. We put all our experience and knowledge of the climbs into tips for managing the stage: Key characteristics of the route What the climbs are really like Risks and dangers on the descents Where to stop What clothes to wear What equipment to choose We think, you ride. ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.22
WHAT IS INCLUDED/NOT INCLUDED INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE Airport transfers Baggage transfer between hotels. Accommodation for all nights All meals, including unlimited soft drinks and wine or beer during the evening meal. On-the-road support vehicle, with spare wheels, track pump, toolkit, First-Aid kit and space to offload extra clothes. Energy drinks, gels, bars and snacks during the ride On-the-bike coaching Post-ride recovery nutrition Use of Compex electro-stimulation devices to aid in recovery Evening briefing, including Coach s Corner Photographs taken during the trip An Alpine Cols Elite cycling jersey (the full kit is available for purchase as an option) NOT INCLUDED Travel to Geneva airport Travel back home from Nice airport Personal extras The following can be provided on request: Bike hire High-performance wheel hire Power meter hire Massage and physiotherapy ALPINE COLS ROUTE DES GRANDES ALPES P.23
WHY ALPINE COLS? Improve your cycling Our coaches are experts at cycling in the mountains and will help you reach a new level. Local knowledge We live and work all year round in the Alps. You will be riding in our back garden, as it were! Peace of mind As a French registered company, we are fully compliant to all local legislation. This is your guarantee. A great holiday Last but not least, the idea is to have fun. We hope you will come as clients but leave as friends! Olivier with Fernando Col de la Colombière, June 2015
Alpine Cols SAS 631 chemin du Recredoz 01220 Divonne-les-Bains, France Tel (FR): +33 (0)450 200 772 Tel: (UK): +44 (0)1227 647 015 www.alpinecols.com Mont Blanc, from the Col des Saisies