Cycling Holidays Geneva to Nice 550 kms, 11 Alpine Passes
Geneva to Nice 13th 20th June 2020 Your Tour de France Adventure Conquer la Route des Grandes Alpes Geneva to Nice The Ultimate Cycling Adventure
La Route de Grande Alpes 6 days, 550 kms, 11 Alpine Passes Geneva to Nice or La Route des Grandes Alpes is arguably the most famous and majestic cycling route in the world. Beginning in Geneva you cycle across the French Alps arriving in Nice on the Mediterranean coast six days later.
Throughout those six days you will be amazed at what you can achieve in cycling. Riding the French Alps tests your climbing, descending, fitness, and mindset. It gives you the chance to ride at altitude taking in the spectacular views which change dramatically with every kilometre you ride. With our support you will conquer cols that test pro riders in the Tour de France. You will feel inspired, enthused, and have a profound sense of achievement. There is no better sensation than breathing the crisp mountain air and hearing the sound of the chainring as you climb higher into the sky.
It is not just an amazing cycling challenge, however. As you pass through regions and towns you will discover mountain life like city or country life has its own culture. People live and work in the French Alps, and getting a glimpse into this way of life is both enlightening and fascinating.
To make your cycling adventure more rewarding and easier, we provide full support. Our support vehicle carries food, personal items and spare parts, your bike is secured overnight, and your luggage is transferred from hotel to hotel. It will feel like magic.
Ride the French Alps and have the most rewarding and glorious cycling adventure possible. The Challenges of Geneva to Nice
Distance
With an average distance of just under 92 kms per day, obviously the distance is a challenge. That said, there is a world of difference between riding the French Alps and built up city streets or flat country roads.
The scenery is spectacular and the mountain air crisp and clean. Often the only sound you’ll hear is that of your chainring. This awe inspiring part of the world will help to inspire you to reach the finishing post every day, and we'll be right there with you providing encouragement and pacing advice.
La Route des Grandes Alpes will inspire you to ride further than you ever thought you could. Climbing
There is plenty of climbing in Geneva to Nice. Every day you will ride an alpine pass. Although you may feel the climbs are a little scary, you will not be riding them alone. The group forms its own camaraderie and we are on hand to give you encouragement and pacing advice. You will never be left stranded in The Alps. Our support car is never far away and we are with you, ready to deal with issues should they occur.
Our aim is to ensure your achievements are your own achievements, and rather than take you to the top of a mountain in a car, we give you the advice you need to make it under your own steam. This is your Route des Grandes Alpes. Always remember that it does not matter how many breaks you need to reach the top, the important thing is that you keep going. The profound sense of achievement will be worth it.
The cols of this tour will inspire you to keep turning the pedals. The spectacular vistas will keep your mind focused on reaching the top of the world. Weather
The climate for Geneva to Nice is a factor to take into consideration. Temperatures vary in The French Alps, with cooler temperatures experienced at the top of cols, to warmer conditions experienced in valleys.
The weather changes from year to year. One year you could experience freezing fog, another year you could experience temperatures higher than 30°C. The trick is to prepare for all eventualities.
The support car will keep all of your clothing handy, so putting on extra layers and waterproof clothing, and indeed storing unneeded clothes will keep you at the right temperature possible for riding Geneva to Nice.
Descending
Many cyclists believe that descending is the reward for tough climbs. This is probably true but focus will be needed as you weave your way into a valley. The roads are mostly quiet but you need to still be vigilant for traffic.
That said, giving your legs a well deserved break before the next challenge should be relished, as well as the experience of breathing crisp clean mountain air as you ride. Enjoy your descents, you’ve earned them. Six Days, 550 kms, 11 Alpine Passes
Actors often say that “every job should scare you a little.” The same can be said of cycling. Whether it is a sportive or the Route des Grande Alpes that little bit of fear and excitement will make your trip more rewarding and inspiring. You may wonder if you can climb Izoard or Bonette with their hors category cols, but with our help you will. The sense of achievement you will feel as you reach the summit of every col will be profound. Ride the Mountains of the Tour de France The Eleven Mountains you will Ride
Col des Aravis (1486 m) 1st category Average gradient: 5.7% ; maximum gradient : 8.6%. Col de la Bonette (2802 m) Distance 21.3 km hors catégorie Height gain 756 m. Col de la Madeleine (1993 m) Average gradient: 6.6%, maximum hors catégorie gradient: 9%. Distance 24,1 km ; 25,3 km average gradient 6,2 % ; height gain 1589 m height gain. : 1585 m The highest asphalted road in France and the highest through Col du Télégraphe (1566 m) road in Europe 1st category 11.8 km, average gradient 7.3%, elevation gain: 856 m Col St Martin (1500 m) 1st category Col du Galibier (2646 m) 16.5 km, average gradient 6.2%, hors catégorie elevation gain 1018 m 18.1 km, average gradient 6.9%, elevation gain: 1245 m Col de Turini (1607 m) 1st category Average gradient: 5.2%, maximum Col du Lautaret (2058 m) gradient : 9.3%. Distance 15.3 We descend towards it from col du km ; height gain 1107 m Galibier and then further down towards Briançon
Col de l'Izoard (2360 m) Average gradient: 5.7%, maximum gradient : 9.4%. Distance 20 km ; height gain 1141 m.
Col de Castillon (707 m) 3rd category Col de Vars (2108 m) Average gradient: 5.1%, maximum Average gradient: 5.7%, maximum gradient : 6.8%. Distance 7 km ; gradient : 8.7%. Distance 19.4 height gain 349 m km ; height gain 1111 m
Did you Know ? By the end of Geneva to Nice, you will have done 10,800m of vertical climbing ! Gems of Geneva to Nice
Every pass you ride on your journey to Nice is a gem. When you tell other cyclists what you have achieved they will be impressed and envious. These particular passes in the Geneva to Nice journey standout. Col de la Bonette
Most cyclists agree that Bonette is a challenge not because of the gradient but because of the distance. It is 26 kms to reach the summit. There are practically no villages or towns to pass through so the road is arguably relentless. That said, the higher you go the better vistas become. It is quite remarkable to cycle above the tree line into the clouds.
In 2008 the Tour de France featured Bonette in stage 16. The tour took in the Cime de la Bonette and this is the highest altitude le Tour has ever demanded of its competitors.
When you ride Bonette you will have joined the few band of cyclists that ridden the highest through road in Europe.
‘Shoelaces’ of Montvernier
Les lacets ‘ shoelaces’ de Montvernier takes its name from its hairpin bends. From the air it looks Col d'Izoard like shoelaces dropped from the sky. Seventeen of the eighteen hairpin bends are tightly packed and Izoard has been in the Tour de France since 1922 come at you every 100 metres. If you have ridden and in 2017 saw the col become a summit finish in Sa Calobra in Mallorca, you will find the tightly the great race for the first time. The col is packed hairpins familiar. synonymous as being one of the toughest climbs in the Tour de France and many of the old, historic, Although it isn’t technically a pass it is a famous part black and white photos of the race were taken on of Geneva to Nice. We think you’ll love it. Izoard.
When you reach the top of this great mountain you will have panoramic views of the Alps. So make sure you take a selfie or two before paying homage to the memorial honouring Fausto COPPI and the French Louison BOBET, two of the greatest riders ever to have graced the world stage. Your Support
To keep your wheels spinning we provide first class support. As you ride Geneva to Nice we provide a support car carrying spare parts, food, and your personal items. As well this we have two support riders riding every kilometre with you. They provide advice, encouragement, and deal with issues should they occur.
Our support is designed to help you get the best from yourself. We will help you climb the big cols under your own steam. Your achievements will be your achievements and you will be amazed at what you can do.
Every hotel has secure bike storage and we move your luggage from place to place. You will remember climbing Bonette, Izoard, and every alpine pass for the rest of your life. Route des Grandes Alpes Your Itinerary
Saturday: Arrival in Geneva airport
Your Geneva to Nice adventure begins in Geneva staying in the Mount Blanc region. After collecting you and your bike from the airport, you build your bike. Then, if time allows, a little ride to check the bikes are all ok. We provide a briefing for the week ahead so you’ll know what to do should an issue occur, and how each day will unfold. To round off, we have dinner and a good sleep!
Sunday: Geneva to Albertville 96km
"Le col des Aravis" (1st "categorie" climb) will take you to Albertville, the town of the 1992 winter Olympics. We’ll be in the Reblochon region, where famous alpine cheese is produced at the summit of the mountains you ride. The world famous cheese is a great incentive to reach the top, just don’t overdo eating it at the lunch stop!
Monday: Albertville to SaintJeandeMaurienne 80km
The serious stuff is starting with the climb of the 25.3 km "hors catégorie" col de la Madeleine (1924 m), from the north side. You will encounter 10% average gradients over the first 3 km, followed by near flat ride for the next 3 km. The gradients hit 9 and 10% again after this. It is a very irregular climb.
Once in the valley we ride 10 km to the next climb. Les lacets de Montvernier has gradients between 8 and 9%, for 3.4 kms. What really distinguishes this stunning climb, however, are the 17 switchbacks (out of 18) in just 2 kms, meaning there is barely 100m between each bend! After the climb, a short ride through the valley will take us to our overnight stay in St Jean de Maurienne.
Tuesday: SaintJeandeMaurienne to Briançon 78km
From SaintJeandeMaurienne, the ride through "la vallée de la Maurienne" will give us a nice warm up before reaching le Col du Télégraphe : 12 km climb with a 6% average gradient. From the summit of Télégraphe, we descend 6 kms into Valloire. The serious stuff starts straight after the town of Valloire with the 18 km ascent of col du Galibier (hors catégorie, 2646 m), "le col mythique du Tour de France", offering majestic panorama views of The Alps.
This is followed by a sharp 8 kms descent to reach col du Lautaret, at 2058 m. From here, another descent will see you reach Le Monêtier lesBains (Briançon) for our overnight stop. A very pleasant afternoon is programmed in our hotel: heated outdoor pool, nice grass area for stretching session, sports massage and even beauty treatments if wished. (Prebook your massage with us) Wednesday: Le MonetierlesBains to Barcelonnette
As hors d’oeuvre, today, we’ll have le col de l’Izoard ("hors catégorie", altitude 2360 m). You may run into the phantoms of Tour de France winners of the fifties, the campionissimo Fausto COPPI and the French Louison BOBET. If this doesn’t happen, you can get your picture taken in front of their headstones situated among a mineral area of red stones, called La Case Déserte. A fitting memorial to two Tour de France legends.
Le col de Vars (first category) comes next, before descending to Barcelonnette!
Thursday: Barcelonnette to col de St Martin La Colmiane 108km
Keep your oxygen masks ready today as we start for the highest paved through road in Europe. Once you climb the 24 kms ascent of col de la Bonette (2715 m) followed by the road round la cime de la Bonette, (Bonette Peak 2860 m), you will be at altitude of 2802 metres. This could well be the highest point of the world you have ever stood on! The last kilometres are enchanting and you'll most probably go along with the Marmots. Take a breath and a selfie before plunging into the valley for your 100 kms descent. Enjoy you welldeserved rest.
Friday: La Colmiane to Nice/Menton 80km
The final push to the Mediterranean, now in view. Keep the momentum going over the cols de Turini and Castillon and follow the scents of Mimosa and lavender down to Menton, on the Mediterranean Sea front. This is only a few kilometres from the Italian border.
Saturday: Travel home
Getting the bikes ready for the trip home; some of you may stay in Nice for a day or two; others may fly home on Saturday. "Au revoir la France, les arômes de Mimosa et les parfums de Grace". For those who stay on, some welldeserved relaxing days in one of the most beautiful places in the world await you.
See you all next time, take care travelling home.
Did you know average gradients are calculated by subtracting the summit altitude from the starting altitude and dividing by the distance of the ride. Example: Starting altitude: 1326m Summit altitude: 2363m Distance of the ride: 19400m Calculation: (23631326) / 19400x100 = 5.3% average gradient Accommodation
We have selected and visited seven different hotels At a Glance for your Geneva to Nice Adventure. They all feature Transfers airporthotelairport for comfortable rooms with many affording amazing you and your bike views. The hotels are: Transfer bike boxes and daily Hôtel la Ferme du lac 4* luggage transport
Hôtel Le Roma 3* 7 nights HB
Hôtel De L'Europe 2* Foods during the rides : lunch, water, energy bars & gels, other Hôtel Alliey & Spa Piscine à Serre Chevalier 3* snacks & drinks
Hôtel Azteca 3* Transport for you and your bike should you wish to have a shorter La Résidence Adréchas Grandeur Nature 2* day or any difficulty
Hôtel Prince de Galles 4* Mechanical assistance for your bike The dinner menus are pre planned for the whole Secure overnight bike storage week in order to enjoy diversified dishes.
Martin and Thierry on the bike with Breakfasts are suited to cyclists needs with you for pacing and coaching cereals, eggs, ham, cheese, fresh, fruit etc.
Flora's organisational and logistical We'll even try to organise porridge for you. talents and stretching if time allows Prices & Dates
13th 20th June 2020
Price 2020 How to Book (7 nights, pps) To ride Geneva to Nice, an amazing trip through the French Alps, simply : Early Bird 1904 € Phone Martin: Book before Save 200 € 15/10/2019 0044/(0) 28 71 36 5997 Regular Email : 2104 € Price [email protected]
Single Supplement: 56 €/night Visit : http://sportactive.net/ Experience the Majestic Route des Grandes Alpes Book Now
SportActive Cycling Holidays and Camps 28 Gelvin Gardens, Trench Road, L/Derry, BT472DQ Northern Ireland Tel : 0044/(0) 287136 5997