Brochure Les Dix Alpes 2016
Introduction The famous cols of the Tour de France: Col de l'iseran, Col du Galibier, Col d'izoard and Col de la Bonette. In addition, some less known, but not less challenging, climbs like the Simplon Pass, Col du Petit St. Bernard, Col du Grand St. Bernard, Col de Vars and Col de Lautaret. What can we say more... Nine passes above 2,000 meters plus the legendary climb to the ski resort of l'alpe d'huez. A lot of famous professionals fought out here heroic duels in the past. Now it s your turn to write your own cycling history. You start with a relatively flat stage along the beautiful shores of Lago di Como, Lago di Lugano and Lago Maggiore. After leaving the Italian-Swiss lake district you climb over the Simplon Pass in the direction of Switzerland. The first in a row of ten 'Hors Category' climbs. From then on, every day another mythical climb is waiting. The first rest day is planned in Visp which is the gateway to Zermatt and the Matterhorn, one of the world's most characteristic mountains. You return to the Italian Aosta Valley via the Col du Grand St. Bernard. At the end of the valley the highest mountain of the Alps looms up, the majestic Mont Blanc. You cross the border with France over the Col du Petit St. Bernard, after which the famous Tour cols follow each other rapidly. A second well-deserved rest day is planned in the picturesque village of Bourg d'oisans at the foot of l'alpe d'huez. After climbing the last and highest Col de la Bonette of 2.802 meters you drop down to sea level in two days through wonderful gorges. The 7 th edition of Les Dix Alpes starts Monday June 27 th, 2016 in Como. The finish lies after 12 days, 1.100 kilometres and a multitude of beads of sweat at the waving palms on the boulevard in Nice. The whole route follows neatly paved and relatively quiet scenic mountain roads. The course varies from relatively flat roads along the lakes to long, steep climbs in the Alps. You are of course rewarded after each climb with a spectacular descent. The tour enters the Alps during the beginning of the summer season. Probably you will get some beautiful sunny days, but keep in mind : the weather conditions in the Alps can always be unsettled. The circumstances can become heroic if you reach altitudes above 2.000 metres. The tour is open for cyclists from all around the world to create an exceptional atmosphere, during as well as after the bike ride. Les Dix Alpes is a physical challenge in a stunning setting. You don t have to be a famous professional to get the feeling that you are a rider of the Tour de France. Climb the legendary cols at your speed and dream that you are Federico Bahamontes, Marco Pantani or Lance Armstrong. The credo of Bike Dreams is: Life is not the dreams you have, but the dreams you realise. 2
The Route The route from Como to Nice has been divided into 10 cycling stages and two rest days in Visp and Bourg d Oisans. The cycling days have mostly the same schedule : after a start early in the morning you cycle the distance at own speed to the next place. Normally small groups are formed by riders of the same strength and interest. The stages have an average length of 110 kilometres, depending on the profile and the location of campsites. At the start in Como you get a detailed tour guide with all kind of background information about the route. Next to do that gets everyone daily a detailed map and description of the route. 3
The Lakes The start of Les Dix Alpes is in Como, at the southern tip of the southwest arm of Lago di Como and 45 kilometres north of Milan. Como s economy was traditionally based on industry, but in recent decades, tourism has become increasingly important. Many celebrities have homes on the shores of Lake Como, such as Madonna, Gianni Versace, and Sylvester Stallone. The first kilometres out of Como you cycle along the beautiful shoreline of Lake Como with its admirable gardens which benefit from the mild climate. You touch Switzerland for a bit when you cycle along the shores of Lago di Lugano before you return into Italy at the Lago Maggiore. The climate at Italy s second largest lake is also very mild in both summer and winter, producing Mediterranean vegetation with rare and exotic plants. Simplon Pass The Simplon Pass has an elevation of 2.008 meters and connects the Italian Val d'ossola with the Rhône Valley in the Swiss canton of Valais. The route was first widely used in the early Middle Ages as trade route between Italy and France. Napoleon renewed the road completely so that his artillery could use it. The current Simplon Pass is one of the best maintained mountain passes of Europe. The first rest day is planned in Visp on the north side of the Simplon Pass. Visp offers you the opportunity to visit the traffic free village of Zermatt by train or bicycle. Zermatt is situated at the foot of the Matterhorn, one of the world's most distinctive mountains. Col du Grand St. Bernard The Col du Grand St. Bernard, 2.469 meters, connects the Swiss Val d'entremont with the Italian Aosta Valley. The col was already used in Roman times as a trade route. The pass is named after Bernard of Menton who founded a monastery here in the 11 th century. The monks helped lost travellers in this inhospitable area and used the famous Saint Bernard dogs to find them. You continue your route through the Aosta Valley in the direction of the Mont Blanc, also known as La Dame Blanche. With its 4.810 meters is the highest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe. Col du Petit St. Bernard The Col du Petit St. Bernard is 2.188 metres and is located on the south of the Mont Blanc Massif. From Prè-Saint-Didier in the Aosta Valley is the Col du Petit St. Bernard 22,6 kilometres long and climbs over this distance 1.196 metres ( an average slope of 5,3 percent ). After reaching the saddle at the French side of the French-Italian border you descent to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Although damaged by a road that runs through it, the Col du Petit St. Bernard is the site of a stone circle measuring 72 metres in diameter. A standing stone once stood in the middle. It has not been precisely dated but from coin finds it has been attributed to the Iron Age. A Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter was later erected nearby along with a Roman mansio serving travellers along the pass. It is thought that Carthaginian general Hannibal used the route over the Col du Petit St. Bernard. 4
Col de l Iseran The Col de l'iseran is part of the French Graian Alps and belongs to the Route des Grandes Alpes. It connects the Isère Valley and the Arc River Valley between Val-d'Isère in the north and Bonneval-sur-Arc in the south. Starting from Bourg-Saint-Maurice, you climb 2.045 metres over a distance of 46,9 kilometres, pass a number of galleries and tunnels, and have to overcome a maximum grade of 9,5 percent. It s fortunately not everywhere so steep; the average slope is just above 4 percent. The Col d'iseran was first used in the Tour de France in 1938 and the first rider over the summit was Felicien Vervaecke. One year later, in the tour of 1939, the first mountain time trial was introduced over the Col d'iseran, which was won by Sylvere Maes by a margin of four minutes. Since 1947 the pass has been used four times in the Tour de France. It was scheduled to be used in 1996, but was left out at the last minute due to bad weather. As a result of snow on both the Col de l'iseran and the Col du Galibier, the scheduled 190 kilometres stage was truncated and reduced to a 46 kilometres sprint from Le-Monetier-les-Bains which was claimed by Bjarne Riis. Col du Galibier The Col du Galibier is often the highest point of the Tour de France, with its 2.645 metres. It is located between the Massif d'arvan-villards and the Massif des Cerces, taking its name from the secondary chain of mountains known as the Galibier. You start from the north in Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, and climb 34,9 kilometres which includes the Col du Télégraphe. The col gains 2.096 metres in height, which means an average of 5,5 percent. The Col du Galibier was first used in the Tour de France in 1911 and the first rider over the summit was Emile Georget, who, with Paul Duboc and Gustave Garrigou were the only riders not to walk. In the meantime the road has improved a lot. A few kilometres in the downhill of the Col du Galibier you pass the monument to Henri Desgrange, instigator and first director of the Tour de France. The memorial was inaugurated when the tour passed on 19 July 1949. Whenever the tour crosses the Col du Galibier, a wreath is laid on the memorial. You may leave here your own souvenir : a water bottle, a spare tube or something else. l Alpe d Huez + Col de Sarenne The climb of l'alpe d'huez ( 1.845 metres ) starts from the village of Bourg d'oisans and has 21 numbered hairpin, descending numbered from the bottom to the top. A sign with information has been placed together with one or two stage winners of the Alpe d'huez. The climb has been 26 times the finish location of a stage in the Tour de France. The first time was in 1952 and was won by Fausto Coppi. It was the first time that a stage in the Tour de France arrived at the top of a mountain. The arrival was at that time in the village of Huez, about halfway the climb to l Alpe d Huez. Alpe d'huez is for us not the end of the climb. The road continues with a short descent and climbs to just under 2.000 meters, the Col de Sarenne of 1.999 metres. The road conditions to this col are not the best, but the environment with beautiful alpine meadows compensates a lot, if not everything. 5
Col du Lautaret The Col du Lautaret, 2.068 metres, is located on the south side of the Col du Galibier. The climb from the west is 34 kilometres long and has predominantly friendly gradients. The col is known for its stages in the Tour de France when most riders try to save their energy before the climb of the Col du Galibier starts. Col d Izoard The Col d'izoard is frequently on the route of the Tour de France and is of course classified as a Hors Category -climb with its challenging 2.360 metres. The climb from Briançon at the north is 19,1 kilometres in length and has an average gradient of 6,0 percent. You pass forbidding and barren scree slopes with protruding pinnacles of weathered rock, just after the summit. Known as the Casse Desert this area has formed a dramatic backdrop to some key moments in the Tour de France, and often feature in iconic 1950s black and white photos of the race. Several of the Tour de France's more memorable moments have occurred on the Col d'izoard, particularly the exploits of Fausto Coppi, Bernard Thevenet and Louison Bobet. You can have a break at the small cycling museum at the summit, or at the memorial to Coppi. Col de Vars The Col de Vars is 2.108 metres and connects the Ubaye Valley with the Queyras Valley. You cycle from the small town of Guillestre over a beautiful winding road and climb 1.141 metres over a distance of almost 20 kilometres. The pass is one of the only roads in this section of the Alps and has been included in the Tour de France 33 times. Col de la Bonette The Col de la Bonette ( 2.802 metres ) is situated within the Mercantour National Park. From the north, the climb starts at Jausiers and is 23,8 kilometres long. Over this distance, the climb is 1.589 metres ( an average of 6,7 percent ), with the steepest sections at almost 11 percent. The pass has featured in the Tour de France four times. In 1962 and 1964, the race was led over the summit in both years by Federico Bahamontes, approaching from the south in 1962 and from the north in 1964. Robert Millar led over the summit from the north in 1993. In 2008 John-Lee Augustyn leads over the mountain, before falling on the descent to Jausiers. He did, however, receive 5.000 euros for the leader over the highest point of the Tour, also known as the Souvenir Henri Desgrange. The Finish You cycle further southwards in the direction of the Mediterranean via the Route Napoléon Bonaparte. This scenic route is taken by Napoléon in 1815 on his return from Elba. The road, which was inaugurated in 1932, leads from the French Riviera to the southern Pre-Alps and is marked along the way by the flying eagle symbol. After 1.100 inspiring kilometres and a lot of climbing you will enjoy the festive dinner at the Côte d Azur in Nice. You can quench your thirsty throat with some French wine and take a refreshing dip in the deep blue water of the Mediterranean. 6
Support The journey is supported by two vehicles. One vehicle brings the luggage and kitchen equipment to the next place, so you don t have to carry luggage on your bike. The other vehicle gives support on the road and provides a lunch half way the stage. We provide on cycling days an extensive breakfast ( bread, cereals, fruit ) and halfway the stage a tasty lunch is waiting for you. In addition, we will take care that you can recover with an extra meal ( soup, bread, fruit ) after finishing the stage and that you always have sufficient water and sport drinks. The cook of Bike-Dreams prepares in campsites a dinner full of carbohydrates and all nutrients your body needs. There is of course a spot at the dinner table for a few bottles of Italian or French wine to relax the tired muscles. We do not serve food at the rest days. This gives you the opportunity to explore and sample the local cuisine. You stay during the tour at campsites. The night before the start in Como and the last night after the finish in Nice you stay in a hotel. At several campsites you have the possibility to rent a bungalow or site caravan at own expense. Participants The number of participants is limited due to organizational reasons. For people from all over the world it is possible to sign up for the tour. The cyclists who cannot ride, or cannot finish the stage, have always the possibility to take a seat in one of the supporting vans. We will take care that everyone arrives at the campsite before the evening. The tour is open for men and women with an age between 18 and 67. Everyone with a good health and passion for cycling can finish the journey in a normal way. It s also possible for a non-cyclist to experience the journey. You can always assist the other staff with their daily activities like providing the meals, visit local markets, etcetera. Entry Fee The journey is intended to be completed entirely with start in Como and finish in Nice. If you consider participating a shorter part of the tour, you can contact us for further information. Start Finish Dates Days Entry Fee Countries Les Dix Alpes Como Nice 23-6-2016 8-7-2016 12 1.450,- 7
We offer a discount of 100,- for participants who register and pay the down payment before December 31 st, 2015. You'll pay an Entry Fee of 1.350,- in stead of 1.450,-. The entry fee includes : Accommodation based on camping Hotel before the start in Como and after the finish in Nice Breakfast, lunch, meal at arrival and dinner ( during cycling days ) Fruit, water, sport drinks and energy bars ( during cycling days ) Transportation of luggage Organization of the journey Support by bike mechanic Les Dix Alpes cycling jersey Detailed description of the route Tour guide with information about the route DVD with compilation of the best pictures The entry fee excludes : Transfer to the start and from the finish of the journey Food and drinks on rest days Personal health- and travel-insurance Entry fees of tourist sites "Tirreno-Adriatico" + Tutti Dolomiti + "Les Dix Alpes" We offer the possibility to combine Les Dix Alpes with Tutti Dolomiti and/or Tirreno- Ariatico. The start of Les Dix Alpes in Como is on Monday June 27 th, 2016. The finish of Tutti Dolomiti is 4 days earlier on Thursday June 23 rd, 2016 in Verona. We offer a transfer package for 200,-, which means that we book for you one extra night in Verona and one extra night in Como. The transfer package also includes the transfer of you, your bike and your luggage from the hotel in Verona to the hotel in Como, a distance of about 200 kilometers. In practice, this means : Thursday June 23 rd Friday June 24 th Saturday June 25 th Sunday June 26 th Monday June 27 th Arrival of Tutti Dolomiti in Verona Rest day in Verona and possibility to visit an opera in the arena Transfer from Verona to Como Rest day in Como; time to visit the city on your own and in the afternoon is the briefing of Les Dix Alpes First cycling day of Les Dix Alpes The meals on Thursday June 23 rd are included in Tutti Dolomiti. The breakfasts from Friday to Sunday are included; lunches and dinners are those days for own account. The meals on Monday June 27 th are included in "Les Dix Alpes". 8
Before Tutti Dolomiti you can participate in Tirreno-Adriatico, which makes it possible to combine three 2-weeks tours in one big cycling journey. We offer a similar transfer package between the finish of Tirreno-Adriatico in San benedetto del Tronto and the start of Tutti Dolomiti in Verona. Charity The Kids' Cancer Project is the official charity partner of Bike- Dreams in Australia and New Zealand. Three children die from cancer every week in Australia. The Kids' Cancer Project is an Australian charity dedicated to changing this shocking statistic by finding cures for childhood cancers with the lowest survival rates. Half of children with these cancers will not survive. Ultimately, finding a cure is about saving children s lives and ending the heartbreak childhood cancer brings to so many families. Bike-Dreams participants have raised a fantastic Australian $460,000 for The Kids' Cancer Project through their association over the last five years. Les Dix Alpes is one of the charity challenges in 2016. Bike Dreams suggests that the riders from Australia and New Zealand participate in fundraising for The Kids' Cancer Project. Many have done so in the past and found it very rewarding. Riders from other countries are of course free to start their own fundraising for charity purposes. Childhood cancer has no territorial boundaries, it impacts children across the world. Together we can make a difference. All efforts are highly appreciated. If we work together, a cure is within reach. 9
The Route Les Dix Alpes Day Date Stage Start Finish Distance 1 Monday 27 June 1 Como Locarno 128 2 Tuesday 28 June 2 Locarno Visp 119 Simplonpass 2.008 m. 3 Wednesday 29 June Rest day in Visp Possibility to visit Zermatt and Matterhorn 4 Thursday 30 June 3 Visp Etroubles 143 Col du Grand St. Bernard 2.469 m. 5 Friday 1 July 4 Etroubles Bourg St. Maurice 102 Col du Petit St. Bernard 2.188 m. 6 Saturday 2 July 5 Bourg St. Maurice Lanslevillard 77 Col de l Iseran 2.770 m. 7 Sunday 3 July 6 Lanslevillard Bourg d Oisans 124 Col du Télégraph, 1.588 m. + Col du Galibier 2.647 m. 8 Monday 4 July Rest day Bourg d Oisans Possibility to climb Col de Croix de Fer, 2.067 m. and Col de Glandon, 1.924 m. 9 Tuesday 5 July 7 Bourg d Oisans Briançon 95 l Alpe d Huez 1.860 m. + Col de Sarenne, 1.999 m. Col du Lautaret 2.058 m. 10 Wednesday 6 July 8 Briançon Jausiers 87 Col d Izoard 2.360 m. Col de Vars 2.109 m. 11 Thursday 7 July 9 Jausiers Entrevaux 142 Col de la Bonette 2.802 m. 12 Friday 8 July 10 Entrevaux Nice 113 10
Bike Dreams B.V. Marktstraat 11 6041 EN Roermond THE NETHERLANDS Telephone : +31 (0) 475 311047 Email : info@bike-dreams.com Website : www.bike-dreams.com Bike Dreams B.V. is registered at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Roermond under number 12060386. 11