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: 16 days (15 Nights)
Dates: Sunday 15 July 2007 to Monday 30 July 2007
Start-Finish: Paris
Accommodation: 3 and 4 Star Premium Hotels
Group Size: Maximum 40 people (5 Staff)
Cost: USD* $6366
Who Is This Trip For:
Anyone with an interest in Cycling who want to see the biggest of the Grand Tours, the Tour de France. This is our main focus for this trip. We cater for cyclists of all abilities by providing riding options each day. On most days we offer two rides.
All our rides are escorted and they vary from “serious” to “relaxed”. We ride on quiet scenic roads and where possible we ride on the race course ahead of the race. This trip does involve some days in the mountains so there will be the opportunity to challenge yourself on the most famous climbs including the Tourmalet as a side trip.
We also cater for people who do not ride bikes with visits to the race and other attractions but an interest in seeing the Tour de France is important as it is the main focus of this trip.
Our trip will take in 15 days of the race including all the Alpes and Pyrenees stages, the Final Time Trial and the beautiful Tarn region. We may be a little biased as this is where Bikestyle Tours is based in France. We’ll let you see for yourself. We will also test ourselves on the many of the major climbs of this year’s tour including the Col de la Colombière, Col de Tamié, Cormet de Roselend and Col du Galibier in the Alpes and the Côte de Sarraille, Port de Balès, Col de Menté, Col de Marie-Blanque and Col d’Aubisque in the Pyrenees. We will also have the opportunity to ride the infamous climbs of Alpe D’Huez, Mont Ventoux and the Col du Tourmalet which whilst not part of this years race have been the scene of many battles in previous races.
Sunday, 15 July 2007 Stage 8 Le Grand-Bornand – Tignes
There will be someone to meet you at the Airport and assist you to your transport which will transfer you to our 4 star hotel close to the Airport. We recommend a mid morning to early afternoon arrival to prevent the possibility of having to wait for your room to be made ready.
We have found from experience that the first thing most cyclists want to do is to have a short ride to shake out the cobwebs after the plane trip. The area around the airport provides a good base for this.
The first job will be to assemble your bike and Bikestyle staff will be available to assist if you have any problems.
As a result of tighter luggage restrictions and the difficulties of travelling with a bicycle, Bikestyle Tours has a range of hire bikes available for rental. They are equipped with both Shimano and Campagnolo and we have a variety of sizes on hand. For more info see our Bicycle Hire Page.
There will be the option of a ride in the afternoon (we will provide a ride map and suggestions) and there should be time to rest up before the welcome dinner in the evening. Should you prefer to see the sights of Paris the hotel shuttle runs frequently to the terminals from where it is an easy trip by RER train or bus into the city centre.
Tonight there is a welcome dinner where you can meet the staff who will be looking after you on the trip and of course your fellow travellers with whom you will be spending the next 16 days.
Monday, 16 July 2007 Rest Day, Staying at Alpe d’Huez
Today we will leave Paris for Grenoble by TGV. The TGV(Train Grand Vitesse) is part France’s railway system. You will be impressed with the speed of the journey to Grenoble where our bus will meet us at the train station on our arrival. By leaving early the rapid journey will allow us to have a full days riding today.
As the riders enjoy a well earned rest we will focus our day on L’Alpe d’Huez which has been part of many Tours in the past. It is 55km from our hotel to Bourg D’Oisans at the base of the climb. From here it is a short but difficult 13.5km to the ski village at the top of the climb. Even though it is not a race day you can expect many riders from all over the world joining you on the climb. You have the choice of riding out from Grenoble to Bourg D’Oisans or travelling to the base of the climb on the bus. There will be plenty of time for photos as we are spending the next two nights at this famous mountain top resort.
Alpe d’Huez is probably the most famous of the mountain climbs on the Tour de France. The climb is 13.8km at an average gradient of 8.1% with 21 hairpin bends each marked with panels honouring the winners of each stage that has finished there. The Tour de France first finished a stage on L’ Alpe d’Huez in 1952 when the stage was won by the Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi. Whilst the race route varies from year to year, L’Alpe d’Huez has hosted a stage finish almost every year since 1976. Having finished there for the 22nd time in 2001 the authorities have had to start again at the bottom with a double panel honouring Fausto Coppi and Lance Armstrong. As the most legendary climb in recent Tour history, the Alpe has been the scene of chaotic crowds in the past 10 years. In 1999 Giuseppe Guerini won the stage despite being knocked off his bike by an over-enthusiastic spectator who stepped into his path to take a photograph (the photographer later sought out Guerini to apologize). The 2004 Tour de France route featured an individual time trial up Alpe d’Huez which became a chaotic scene crowded with nearly a million fans, some of who could not resist pushing their favorite rider toward the top. Armstrong won the stage but his time was 46 seconds slower than the official record set by the late Marco Pantani of 36 minutes, 50 seconds.
The evening is free to sample the delights of the local restaurants.
You may wonder why we don’t provide all the evening meals. We used to do this but we found that people preferred to be adventurous and try the local product! While hotel food is quite good, it can become a bit much every night. It is great to take a walk and find a restaurant to your liking and sample some of the local food that the area is renowned for.
Tuesday, 17 July 2007 Stage 9 Val-d’Isère > Briançon
Today is one of the hardest days of the Tour for the riders as they climb the Col de l’Iseran, Col du Telegraphe and the Col du Galibier. The race will be strung out after the Col de l’Iseran so the Telegraphe and Galibier will provide the prime viewing spots. It is here where the attacks will be made and the grimacing faces of the riders will provide some excellent photos. From the top of the Galibier it is all downhill to the finish in Briancon.
We will leave Alpe d’Huez on the bus or by bike. The bus will travel to the base of the Col du Lautaret where it will stop and cyclists wishing to tackle the Col du Lautaret and/or the Col du Galibier can start their ride. Those riding from Alpe d’Huez will travel via the beautiful Col de Sarenne to see the race at Col du Lautaret or the Col du Galibier. It’s a 100km round trip to the Galibier summit and back for those doing the long ride but it’s virtually an all down hill run back to Bourg d’Oisans where the bus will be waiting if you don’t feel like tackling it again. For those wanting a shorter ride there are numerous options varying in distance and difficulty from 30km to 70km.
On the ride home from the Galibier you will pass by the Memorial Henri Desgrange , the founder of the Tour de France and beautiful Alpine scenery including Col du Lautaret, the famous Glacier of La Meije, the Barrage du Chambon and Bourg d’Oisans. It will be a long but rewarding day for those who choose the long ride.
The evening is free to sample the delights of the local restaurants.
Wednesday, 18 July 2007 Stage 10 Tallard - Marseille
Today we will have a day away from the race as we transfer from the Alpes to Provence. This allows us the opportunity to ride the second of the famous climbs not part of this years race, Mont Ventoux. It will however, be possible to see the race on the televisions provided on the buses and at the hotel.
As you may know this mountain is one of the few where Lance has not won a stage and today you will see what makes it so daunting! Situated as the last Alpine mountain ridge before the Rhône plain, Mont Ventoux can be seen almost from everywhere in Provence. Although it is not an extraordinary high mountain in comparison to the high Alpes further north and east, its isolated position gives it a dominating feature. In all directions you’ll have no higher peaks in the neighbourhood of the Mont Ventoux. In all aspects Mont Ventoux is a “giant”, whether you refer to its extraordinary climatical differences, its strange looks, or last but not least in cycling terms.
After Mont Ventoux we will head for Nimes where we spend the next two nights.
Nimes lies on the edge of Provence. Nîmes is the préfecture (capital) of the Gard département. Nîmes has a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire and it is a popular tourist destination. Several important remains of the Roman Empire can still be seen in and around Nîmes including the elliptical Roman amphitheatre (near our hotel). It is the best-preserved Roman arena in France and is still used today as a bull fighting and concert arena. The Maison Carrée (Square House), a small Roman temple dedicated to sons of Agrippa is one of the best-preserved Roman temples anywhere. Nîmes is also known for its textiles. Denim, the fabric of blue jeans, derives its name from this city (Serge de Nîmes).
The nearby Pont du Gard also built by Agrippa is a well-preserved aqueduct that used to carry water across the small Gardon river valley.
The evening is free to sample the delights of the local restaurants.
Thursday, 19 July 2007 Stage 11 Marseille - Montpellier
The race will pass by Nimes today so it will be our intention to see the race as it speeds towards Montpellier. When we know the exact route we will be able to make our choice of rides but we would expect to see it at a feed zone or at one of the intermediate sprints along the road.
Before the race we should be able to ride out to see the magnificent Pont du Gard which was constructed by the Romans between 40 and 60 AC. It is one of the greatest engineering feats of all time. This graceful bridge spanning the Gardon River is the crowning glory of the thirty one miles aqueduct that carried fresh spring water from the Eure river source in Uzes to supply fountains and fancy thermal baths in the flourishing Roman city of Nimes.
The Pont du Gard is made of 6 arches at lower level, 11 arches at middle level and 35 arches at higher level. Erected 2000 years ago during the reign of Roman Emperor Claude, the Pont du Gard is one of the wonders of the ancient world.
After seeing the race we will return to our hotel in Nîmes.
The evening is free to sample the delights of the local restaurants.
Friday, 20 July 2007
Stage 12 - Montpellier - Castres, 179 km
This morning we will leave Nîmes and drive across the bottom of France to the Languedoc-Roussillon. First of all we will see the race and have a nice ride before we go to our hotel in Carcassonne. Once again we have a number of options available to us and when we see the final route we will make our decision on the rides.
However the option we see at present would be to ride part of the course through the beautiful Languedoc-Roussillon following the course to Castres or near by. The race will pass through the spectacular National Park and then wind it’s way through the hills of the Tarn as it heads towards Castres.
The French home of Bikestyle Tours is based near here so we know the area quite well and we consider it to be some of the best riding anywhere. After the race we will go to Carcassonne.
The evening is free to sample the delights of the local restaurants.
Saturday, 21 July 2007 Stage 13 - Albi - Albi, 54 km
Today is the first Time Trial of the 2007 Tour de France! Amazing with only seven proper days of racing left…
Sim Green who works for Bikestyle Tours is a resident of the Albi area and Sim tells me the course will be quite hilly and difficult. So who will win this TT? Mick Rogers maybe, it should suit him. Whatever happens it will be a great day.
Sim will be having a good look at the course and organising some rides for us that will allow us to see the riders out on the course before we head back to the finish.
I expect we will go by bus to Castres and ride from there to Albi via the course to take a look at the riders as they hammer around the Tarn countryside.
It is possible to also ride from the hotel through a beautiful gorge road to Mazamet, then Castres and onto Albi making a ride of just over 110km.
As per usual we will offer at least two riding options. A shorter option and a longer option.
The evening is free to sample the delights of the local restaurants.
Sunday, 22 July 2007 Stage 14 - Mazamet - Plateau-de-Beille, 197 km
Today is a special day for Bikestyle Tours. The Tour de France is coming to our adopted home town of Mazamet. Mazamet is steeped in cycling history as it is the birth place of Laurent Jalabert, one of the most famous cyclists of recent history and certainly the best French cyclist for many years. In fact there is a Jalabert square in the middle of the town and his brother Nicolas and his parents still live here. Laurent doesn’t live far away in Montauban.
We would like to show you Mazamet at its best, hosting a start of the Tour de France.
Our thought is to offer a ride from Carcassonne to Mazamet in the morning along one of the numerous and scenic roads through the hills, rolling countryside, pine forests and gorges that link the two towns arriving in time to see the start at the Jardin Public. This ride up to Mazamet is quite challenging so we will allow 3 hours to complete the 60kms.
Once we have seen the riders on their way we will be offering a lunch at Bikestyle Tours HQ in Mazamet where we can watch the race on Eurosport and meet some of the locals.
If you feel the need for a longer ride we will be offering a couple of rides back to Carcassonne one via the Pic du Nord, a 1200 metre mountain between Mazamet and Carcassonne. From here on a clear day you can see the Pyrenees easily.
The second option would be to ride the road used by the Tour de France a few hours earlier back to Carcassonne.
The evening is free to sample the delights of the local restaurants.
Monday, 23 July 2007 Stage 15 - Foix - Loudenvielle - Le Louron, 196 km
We will leave the hotel on the bus and head to our drop off point for the cyclists just past St. Gaudens. From here you will be able to ride either one or both of the final two climbs of today’s stage. They are the new and already feared Port de Balès with an ascent of 19.2 km at a 6.2% gradient and the regular but also difficult Col de Peyresourde with an ascent of 9.7 km at a 7.8% gradient.
After dropping off the cyclists the bus will continue to Bagneres de Luchon where we will meet the cyclists after they have watched the race and descended to meet the bus.
After the race we will leave for our 4 star hotel in Lourdes where we will base ourselves for the next 3 nights.
Lourdes is well situated at the base of all the legendary climbs of the Pyrenees. If you have studied Christianity you will know that Lourdes is famous as the place where the Virgin Mary appeared to a young Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Since then the sick and the lame have come to visit and take the healing waters. Lourdes is a very busy tourist centre for both religious visitors and for cyclists. There are many cafes and restaurants catering for the multitude of visitors.
Dinner will be provided tonight at the hotel.
Tuesday, 24 July 2007 Rest Day – Pau
Today is a rest day on the Tour but not for us. We will offer a range of options today.
The first two options are to ride one or two of the classic climbs of the Tour the Col D’Áspin and the Col du Tourmalet. Whilst neither are included in this year’s Tour they are have been featured many times in past years. It is a “lumpy” 35km to the village of St Marie de Campan which is at the base of the two climbs. From here you have the choice of climbing the Col d’Aspin and returning to the village before climbing the Col du Tourmalet or going directly to the Tourmalet. From the top of the Tourmalet it is 50km back to the hotel in Lourdes. Whilst this is mostly downhill there is often a headwind up the final valley. It will be 130km if you do both climbs or 100km for the Tourmalet.
Details of the two climbs are:
Col d’Aspin, 12.6km, Average gradient 6.2%
Col du Tourmalet, 17.2km, average gradient 7.4%
A third option will be to visit the Cauterets National Park. Cauterets is a ski resort and is located in a narrow valley deep in the Pyrenees, a short distance south of Lourdes. One of the best snow locations during the winter months and during the warmer parts of the year visitors can enjoy walking and cycling amongst the magnificent scenery of the Parc National des Pyrenees. There are several spectacular waterfalls between Cauterets and Pont d’Espagne, notably the ones at Cascades de Lutour.
The village of Cauterets is 30km from Lourdes and it’s a further 10km to the entrance to the National Park at Pont d’Espagne. The first 20km are a pleasant ride down the bike track which follows the river valley. Once we leave the valley it is all climbing, the next 10km to Cauterets is good climbing but fairly steady. The last 8km to Pont d’Espagne are serious climbing with some parts with a gradient of more than 10%.
The bus will be travelling the same route so it should be possible to pick up riders at Cauterets or at a spot at the end of the bike path for those who want a leisurely ride.
The Parc National des Pyrenees is a magnificent spot to discover the forests, meadows, lakes and streams of the National Park. Upon arrival we will board a cable car and chair lift before enjoying a short walk to reach Lake Gaube.
After the visit to the National Park you can either ride back to Lourdes or travel on the bus. It’s mostly downhill. We will be back in Lourdes in time for an afternoon Tour of this famous town which will include the famous Massabielle Cave and the Healing Pools.
After dinner it should be possible to catch the famous torchlight procession from the Massabielle Grotto.
Dinner will be provided tonight at the hotel.
Wednesday, 25 July 2007 Stage 16 - Orthez - Gourette - Col d’Aubisque, 218 km
After a day off the battle for the Maillot Jaune will continue today. It’s also the last day in the mountains for this edition of the Tour de France and it’s not going out with a whimper with four climbs culminating with a mountain top finish on the Col d’Aubisque.
We have two options today with the long option being a 110km round trip including the climb of the Aubisque where we will see the race near the finish at Gourette. After the race finish we will continue over the summit of the Aubisque before the short (3km) climb to the Col du Soulor. From here it is a welcome 20km downhill to the village of Argeles Gazost. From Argeles Gazost back to Lourdes is an easy ride on a well surfaced bike track built over an old railway line.
The second option is a ride of 85km. It leaves the hotel and travels down the bike track to Argeles Gazost which is a pretty tourist village at the centre of many of the climbs in the Pyrenees. Leaving Argeles it’s straight into the climb of the Col du Soulor and the Col d’Aubisque from the opposite side to the race route. The first 12km are relatively easy but the last 7.5km average more than 8%. From the top of the Soulor there is a short drop (3km) and then it’s a further 8km and a further 310 metres of climbing to the top of the Col d’Aubisque. We continue to the finish at Gourette and after the race we retrace our route back to Lourdes.
Dinner will be provided tonight at the hotel.
Thursday, 26 July 2007 Stage 17 - Pau - Castelsarrasin, 188 km
This morning the race starts in Pau about 50km from Lourdes. We will ride across to Pau in the morning to see the start around midday.
Starts are a great place to see the riders up close. Each rider is required to sign on each day and this provides a good opportunity to see the riders up close. The Team buses and support vehicles are usually close by and you should the able to compare the latest bikes as the Teams prepare for the start.
Immediately after the start it is back to the bus for the journey to our hotel near Cognac where we will spend the next two nights.
Cognac is the centre of the French brandy trade with more than 20 million bottles exported each year. It is an ancient town and on the river banks there is a 13th century chateau which is now the headquarters of one of the famous Cognac producers.
The evening is free to sample the delights of the local restaurants.
Friday, 27 July 2007 Stage 18 - Cahors - Angoulême, 210 km
From our hotel we will either ride or go by bus to Cognac where we will be able to ride tomorrow’s Time Trial course to Angouleme. It will be a good insight into how the race will go tomorrow. When you are watching the race you will be able to understand what the riders will be going through.
We will arrive in Angouleme in time to see the finish of the stage from Cahors. A sprint finish will be on the cards so long as the teams of the sprinters have enough riders left to control the race!
The evening is free to sample the delights of the local restaurants.
Saturday, 28 July 2007 Stage 19 - Cognac - Angoulême, 55 km
This morning we will head across to Cognac by bike or bus to see the race at the start. The start of a Time Trial is probably the best place to see the race. You can walk past riders warming up and see them as they head off on the penultimate stage of the 2007 Tour de France.
After the race we will begin our journey back to Paris by travelling part way up the road before stopping for the night.
Dinner will be provided tonight at the hotel.
Sunday, 29 July 2007 Stage 20 - Marcoussis - Paris Champs-Élysées, 130 km
This morning we will complete our journey to Paris arriving around midday and in plenty of time to see the race.
It’s a great day when the race finishes in Paris and we are able to help you make the best of it.
As an Official Tour Operator to the Tour de France we have access to the various VIP areas on the Champs Elysees. So you will have the option of purchasing VIP tickets to the finish on the Champs Elysees if you wish. Details will be available soon. Otherwise you can find a vantage point along the route where you can see the finish.
All the riders who complete the race take part in a lap of honour at the conclusion of the race so it’s well worth staying around to see this highlight.
The buses will shuttle you back to the hotel after the festivities are over.
There will be a farewell dinner tonight where you can say goodbye to your new friends.
Monday, 30 July 2007
All good things come to an end…
Bikestyle staff will be on hand to help you with your transfer to the Airport.
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.
