FULL ITINERARY
DAY ONE SAT 19 SEP | WELCOME
Arrival into Geneva and settle into our excellent start hotel by mid-morning of Day 1. Our guides will meet you in the lobby around 11:00am to assist with bike assembly or do a final fit of your Cipollini hire bike, as required. Enjoy our Welcome Lunch and Tour Briefing, before an easy afternoon warm-up ride to stretch the legs, rehydrate and ditch the cobwebs after travelling.
DISTANCE | 55KM | 34MI
ELEVATION | 900M | 2950FT
DAY TWO SUN 20 SEP | GENEVA TO GRUYERES
Having arrived the day before, there's no holding back as we brief you on the first day's ride and roll out by 10:00am. A great route that follows the lake road to the small town of Rolle and spectacular lake views. The stage is mildly undulating all the way to Lausanne where we'll stop for a light picnic lunch, just up the road from the Olympic museum. Fuelled for the climb, we head into the heart of Gruyeres and our hotel, in the aptly named town of Charmey. Relax in the warm bubbles of the thermal spa.
DISTANCE | 134KM | 83MI
ELEVATION | 1470M | 4820FT
DAY THREE MON 21 SEP | GRUYERES LOOP
Today is all about Switzerland in one of its most famous regions for chocolate and cheese. We ride through the Jaunpass, used in the Tour de Suisse, following a loop through Saanen and Chateau d'Oex and back to Gruyeres. Lunch in Gruyeres and time to explore the castle before we turn the pedals the short distance back to the hotel.
DISTANCE | 95KM | 59MI
ELEVATION | 1830M |5950FT
DAY FOUR TUE 22 SEP | GRUYERES TO MORZINE
Big day out! We depart Charmey towards the Col des Mosses for our first climb of the day. At the summit, a detour through a Swiss military zone, that has collared absolutely spectacular scenery, before a picnic lunch overlooking Lac Leman. A technical descent into Aigle (home of the UCI) and into France for the climb of Col du Corbier, a popular Tour de France ascent. One last gentle climb into Morzine completes our day.
DISTANCE | 150KM | 93MI
ELEVATION | 2900M | 9515FT
DAY FIVE WED 23 SEP | MORZINE LOOP
We have a great day planned for you! Today we head out of Morzine, warming up to Les Gets and the nice descent to Taninges and Mieussey, before tackling the mighty col de La Ramaz, another TDF inclusion. Our route returns to Morzine, but for those that would like a bigger challenge, the col de Joux Plaine beckons. White water rafting in the afternoon for a different, and exciting way to appreciate the beauty of the Alps!
DISTANCE | 58KM | 36MI
ELEVATION | 1675M | 5500FT
DISTANCE INC JOUX PLAINE | 78KM | 48MI
ELEVATION INC JOUX PLAINE | 3175M | 10415FT
DAY SIX THU 24 SEP | MORZINE TO ANNECY
A nice rolling downhill start to your day! We ride Mieussey once again but continue on past Marignier to climb the Col de la Colombière, a TDF favourite. After a picnic lunch at the summit, great fun on the descent via the ski resorts of Le Grand Bornand and La Clusaz, before we arrive in the stunning town of Annecy, boasting the cleanest lake in all of Europe.
DISTANCE | 105KM | 65MI
ELEVATION | 1970M | 6460FT
DAY SEVEN FRI 25 SEP | ANNECY LOOP
A relatively easier ride today in preparation for some tough day's ahead. We tackle Semnoz, last featured in the 2013 TDF, and return pedalling around Lake Annecy for a leisurely lunch in the old town. The historic centre is really worth an afternoon wander, with the 'island' prison amidst the canals an interesting feature.
DISTANCE | 72KM | 44MI
ELEVATION | 1660M | 5450FT
DAY EIGHT SAT 26 SEP | ANNECY TO LA TOUSSUIRE
Today is a long, tough day. It starts innocently enough with a pleasant roll out along a dedicated cycle path all the way to Albertville. The quiet roads continue to La Bathie... and then onto the mythical climb of Col de la Madeleine. After a nice picnic lunch on top of La Madeleine, we enjoy a great descent to La Chambre followed by the second climb of the day to La Toussuire. For those that don't really want to do this one, the van will be waiting to whisk you to the comforts of a hot shower and Jacuzzi.
DISTANCE | 135KM | 84MI
ELEVATION | 3500M | 11480FT
DAY NINE SUN 27 SEP | LA TOUSSUIRE TO FERNEY D'OISANS
Today we ride the legend! A big ride with plenty of climbing and magnificent sense of accomplishment at the end. Downhill start to Charvin, where the climb to Col de la Croix de Fer begins. A great, long descent to Lac du Verney followed by a relatively flat section, all to add to the anticipation of the mighty Alpe d'Huez. Just as the Pros have done so many times in the Tour de France, we climb not the highest, nor the absolute toughest of French cols, but the 21 hairpins of Tour de France legend. BIG celebrations over dinner!
DISTANCE | 853M | 76MI
ELEVATION | 2750M | 9150FT
DAY TEN MON 28 SEP | TRANSFER TO GENEVA
Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Group transfer at 9:00AM, stopping along the way for a farewell lunch. Our ETA back in Geneva will be early afternoon in time for those with later afternoon flights.
Time to say farewell, until next time!