You’re reading about a past BikeStyle Tours trip to the Tour de France. You can also view photos from this trip, see preliminary details of our 2008 trips, and register to receive full details of the 2008 Tour de France when they are released.
TRIP DETAILS:
Duration: 7 days (6 Nights)
Dates: Friday 13 July 2007 to Thursday 19 July 2007
Start-Finish: Geneva Airport
Accommodation: Twin Share at Chalet Richard
Group Size: Maximum 20 people (3 Staff)
Cost: USD* $1172
Who Is This Trip For?
Anyone with an interest in Cycling who wants to see the biggest of the Grand Tours, the Tour de France.
If your aim is to see the Tour and do some nice riding in the mountains while staying in the one location and being fully catered for, then this trip is for you!
Bikestyle Tours have combined with Alpcycles.com to bring you a fantastic week of cycling and Tour de France viewing in the beautiful Savoie Alpine region. This trip gives you the opportunity to spend one week in a chalet based in the mountains, riding your bike and seeing the greatest race on Earth!
Alpcycles.com and Bikestyle Tours are running a special trip for this event, from Friday 13th July to Thursday 19th July, and there are limited places. During the trip you will get to watch three of the mountain stages and those days will also give you the opportunity to ride some of the famous tour climbs. Added to this two more days of fantastic road itineraries and great food at Chalet Richard, and you have the perfect cycling enthusiast’s holiday.
Friday 13th July
Guest arrival, via alpcycles.com transfer
Welcome to chalet Richard, meet the guides and get information about the local area.
Afternoon free to go for a spin and relax.
Breakfast is nice and early this morning.
We will be travelling by minibus (taking the bikes of course) to the area of the alps that this stage travels through. Once at the Col de la Colombiere, it may be possible to ride before the famous Tour de France “caravan” arrives, although you may still be acclimatising so take it easy and enjoy the day on the first real mountain pass of the 2007 tour.
Lunch and afternoon tea will be picnic style today.
Dinner this evening will be at a restaurant** en route back to Meribel and we can discuss itinerary for Sunday.
Sunday 15th July
TDF Stage 8 ride and viewing
Breakfast, then an early start, again!
We will head out to Albertville. Guests can ride or be driven, depending on fitness levels. From here we ride the route that the tour riders will take later that day. The days lunch stop will probably be at the top of Cormet de Roselend, then head down to Bourg St Maurice. A viewing spot will be allocated on one of the two remaining climbs, probably the final climb to Tignes. Guests can choose to complete both climbs, or bypass the Route de Petit St Bernard and head straight for the final ascent. Returning to Meribel, via a pick-up nearby.
Lunch and afternoon tea served picnic style today.
Dinner at chalet and discuss itinerary for Monday.
Monday 16th July
Tour Rest Day and a beautiful ride…
Meribel – Montagny – Champagny – Prolognan La Vanoise. Descending from our chalet, today we take in a local ride with beautiful scenery and quiet roads that leads us into the Parc National de la Vanoise. There will be a stop for lunch** en route at a local restaurant. Any one with more fire in their legs on return to Meribel can end the day with the Meribel Altiport & Mottaret climbs.
Afternoon tea at the chalet. Dinner at chalet Richard.
Tuesday 17th July
TDF Stage 9 ride and viewing
Breakfast and another early start!
We will drive to the Col du Telegraphe and stop at a strategic spot on the climb to enjoy the TDF caravan and watch the riders. There will be a couple of options on this day, which will be discussed with everyone the night before, one of which is riding the Col de la Madeleine. Picnic lunch again today.
Dinner at chalet and discuss itinerary for Wednesday.
Wednesday 18th July
One last fantastic ride…
Meribel - Val Thorens – Meribel. This route takes us up to Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in Europe, at 2400m. It’s a real big day out, but it’s a great way to finish your trip.
The ascent takes us up through the Vallee de Bellevue. This increadibly scenic route winds up through the valley through some lovely little villages. There are awesome views across towards the famous climb of Col de Madeleine. This climb alone stretches on for about 35km, but is well worth it. With a rest stop at the top, a lunch** stop will be had at St Martin de Belleville, a pretty little village, on the descent. The option then is to carry on down to the town of Brides les Bains, for those who are ready to chill and have a coffee, or continue back around to the meribel valley and climb back up to the chalet, for those with plenty of power in their legs
Pick-ups will be from Brides les Bains for those who don’t fancy the climb home.
Afternoon tea at the chalet. 7pm farewell dinner with the guides and all the alpcycles.com team.
Thursday 19th July Breakfast and Departure
Guests depart from Meribel, via alpcycles.com transfer
What your trip includes:
- Transfer from Geneva Airport (if you decide to fly into another airport, or drive, let us know and we can discuss the options)
- 6 nights half board at Chalet Richard, Meribel, in the heart of the three valley area of the Alps.
Buffet style breakfast every morning, including hot options. - Picnic style lunch on TDF stage days.
- Afternoon tea.
- 2 course home cooked meal, with a couple of glasses of wine or beer on 5 nights (there’s always plenty of seconds too).
- Accompanied rides with the alpcycles.com team.
- Safe bike storage and maintenance area.
- Laundry facilities for your biking clothes.
- The experience and love for cycling of the alpcycles.com team.
**not included in the half board price.
You’re reading about a past BikeStyle Tours trip to the Tour de France. You can also view photos from this trip, see preliminary details of our 2008 trips, and register to receive full details of the 2008 Tour de France when they are released.
