Le Tour Annecy Montgenevre Turin Picture 1
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Best Time of Year: March - October
Le Tour Annecy Montgenevre Turin
Bike Adventure
Ride in style in the home of cycling. Ride in the wheel tracks of the greats, and feel the buzz of cycling through some of France's finest scenery. The breathtaking Col de Montgenevre and the Col du Lautaret are certainly highlights of this amazing cycling challenge break, but don't forget the beautiful valleys, and Lake Annecy itself! You will be following in the tyre tracks of many famous tour winners - just remember this when you are pushing hard up these towering mountain passes! Please be aware that this ride has been designed with a medium level of fitness in mind - like a big brother to London to Paris - with some proper hills - the perfect introduction to Alp riding!!
Departing from our first night in the beautiful Alpine city, Annecy, we are immediately confronted with the stunning outlook over Lake Annecy. As we hug the shore road we begin our ride at the scene of the 2009 Time Trial route and in the tracks of modern Tour de France heroes as Lance Armstrong, Fabian Cancellara, our own Bradley Wiggins but it was Alberto Contador who took glory and completed the 40km circular course in just 48mins!
Once we come away from the southern tip of Lake Annecy it’s a short distance before we ride through the town of Faberges and turn off for our first Col scalp… the Col de Tamié. A gentle 10km up hill gaining approximately 400m this is just a baby by Alp standards but a none-the-less still good enough for Stage 6 of 1937 TdF when the French cyclists were all dominant and very much in charge of the podium.
After a thrilling descent of the Col de Tamié we are back down in the valley and a smooth ride into our overnight stay in the town of Montmélian.
Day 2 begins with a 50km dash to the French capital of the Alps, Grenoble, before we begin our ascent and our days destination, Le Bourg-d'Oisans. Climbing a steady 440m over 50km this is by no means a monster but still the route of numerous Tour de Frances, as this is of course the road to the Mecca for all cyclists… L’Alp D’Huez.
With L’Alp D’Huez looming close by we can offer those of you who are feeling strong from your days riding the opportunity to tackle this world famous mountain – choose wisely.
Back on the saddle the next morning and it’s the big one! Starting from Le Bourg-d'Oisans we begin our ride for the Col du Lautaret and Briançon. With the Col de Lautaret at a mighty 2058m elevation, the highest point of our ride, it’s a steady 1350m gain over 40km. Once over the top, hold on to your bars for the 30km downhill to our overnight destination, Briançon and a well earned beer (or two).
The final day and one more Col to bust… Col de Montgenèvre! Climbing approx 500m over 12km we should just have enough in the legs to push ourselves over this last Col of our Tour de France challenge before enjoying the biggest downhill of your life from the top of Montgenèvre down to our final destination and magnificent city of Turin! ENJOY!
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Geneva
Transfer to Annecy
Day 2 80km
Ride out from Annecy
Col de Tamié [907m]
Montmélian
Day 398km
Montmelian
Le Bourg D'Oisans
Day 4 75km
Le Bourg d'Oisans
Col du Lautaret [2058m]
Briançon
Day 5 110km
Briançon
Col de Montgenèvre [1854m]
Oulx
Turin
Day 6
Transfer to Turin Airport
Fly back to UK
Accommodation
Will be in simple hotels throughout the event (including buffet breakfasts). The standard of accommodation will fluctuate throughout the trip - but is designed to be functional - and to enable us to get a good night's sleep - and continue with the challenge. You will be sharing in twins or triples. If you require a single room then please request this at time of booking (a small supplement will be payable). Upgrades are also available for an extra charge if required.
What is a Level 3.5 Cycling Challenge Like?
These challenge rides are either longer, with more ascent, or span several days. In the case of single day events, you can expect up to 10 hours cycling. In the case of a multi day ride, you can expect lower daily durations - but of course - the effort is sustained over a longer period. You need to be a keen cyclist for these events, and to enjoy training, and to ride regularly. If the ride is outside the EU, it is likely to be easier in terms of the physical riding, however, you will need to be more resilient - due to more basic living conditions (in the case of Asia / Africa especially)
How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 3.5 ‘Bike Ride’?
You need to have good endurance for these events. You must be used to doing long rides in the countryside - 6 hours + . You should be doing regular exercise - with some serious cycle training. Your typical comfortable cycling speed will be at least 22-24 km/hr, and you should be able to cycle at high speed for up to 1 hour or 25 km. You may also be concentrating on other types of exercise - but for longer periods of time (ie sessions in excess of 1.5 hrs.) - however cycling is the best preparation (obviously!)
Medical Issues
Please note, it is extremely important for this physical challenge that you are in good health. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please consider carefully whether you should be joining the challenge.
Please ensure you fill in the booking form accurately and honestly, this is important. In the case of serious conditions (epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, recent illness or operations), please discuss the challenge with your GP. Please also ensure you notify us of any allergies or similar.
It requires stamina and good aerobic fitness - but good willpower will also come in handy! Failure to disclose medical conditions is a serious omission - that could have serious repercussions on any of our challenges.
Included In Trip
Experienced Cycle Leader, Full Vehicle Support and Driver/Mechanic, First Aider, Pre-event briefing, Bed and Breakfast accommodation en route, Full buffet breakfasts every day.
Excluded From Trip
International Flights to and from start and end of the ride, personal transfers to airport on final day (taxi ride required!)
Lunches and Dinners
Travel to and from your UK airport.
Equipment Required
Kit lists specific to your trip dates and location will be issued upon enquiry...below is our guide advice to give an idea of what you should bring on a multi--day ride in Europe
Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike (with puncture resistant tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
2 X Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf, Inner Tubes*, Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Day Bag for support vehicle, Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Bike Lights (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Saddle Bag (recommended - can be used to carry asterisk* items)
Puncture Repair Kit*, Spare parts for your bike (specialist parts and spokes), Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)
Personal Medikit Suncream, Plasters, Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc, Insect Repellant
Washkit
Warm Clothing Medium Weight Softshell, Long sleeve Jersey / insulating layer Lightweight Gloves.
Cycle Clothing
Padded Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts, or Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (wicking type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes or sturdy traners suitable),
Spare Shoes/Sandals for after ride
Casual Evening Wear - tracksuits, jeans, T shirts, fleece ...
Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
Other
Travel Documents, EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) Credit Cards, Cash, Local Currency, Mobile Phone, chargers, EU plug adaptor, Sunglasses
Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)
Travel insurance (not included), Passport
Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip. It is advisable to check that your travel insurance covers the value of any expensive items of kit that you chose to bring along with you.
A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure
Safety Information
By nature all activities contain an element of risk.Your leader will be first aid qualified and will carry the appropriate safety kit for the activity, such as first aid kits, and from time to time mobile radios. Safety equipment carried will be appropriate to trip. The leader's primary role is to ensure your safety, but it is your responsibility to listen to their guidance and instructions. On any cycling itinerary you should take great care on the road - cycling single file wherever possible, avoiding the use of earphones, and wearing a helmet at all times whilst riding.
Weather
It is wise to prepare for all weather types, you never know we may be pleasantly surprised!
Hat and gloves are essential for this trip! Warm tracksuit trousers are recommended. It is advisable to bring suncream. As we cross the Alps - temperatures will drop - so be ready for a range of temperatures.
Notes on Cycling Events
This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss!
Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles.
On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag.
To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK).
Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.
Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions
By booking an event with Adventure Cafe, you agree to these standard terms of booking. Please ensure that you read the appropriate document for your type of event carefully.
Adventure Cafe Terms & Conditions - For all types of event
To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge
You should fill in the Google Form - linked here below, and then please call us on 01823 444 246 to advise of your payment method. We can accept card payments over the phone, or Bank Transfer.
Please note that your space is not confirmed until you have received your booking receipt.
CLICK HERE:
Adventure Cafe Challenge Booking Form - For Challenge Events