Past event L’Etape du Tour

July 16-23,

A Tour de France experience first about riding the 88 mile L’Etape-du-Tour cyclosportive, tracing stage 19 of the Tour.  We’ve booked lodging just 10 miles from the start and we’ll give you great support before, during and after the race.

Following the Etape we’ll have a lazy morning before continuing on to ride stage 20 of the Tour (over 2 days) bringing us to Alpe d’Huez where the Tour will surely be lost and won.  Still yearning for more fabulous mountains we’ll ride the north side of the Col de la Croix de Fer closing a fine week of alpine cycling.

Trip facts
Dates: July 16-23, (8 days / 7 nights)
Start: End Geneva, Switzerland Airport
Cites:  St. Michel de Maurienne, Valloire, Alpe d’Huez, Geneva
Rides: 7 days riding
Difficulty Challenging:  For those who enjoy riding up and down mountain passes.
Highlights: Ride  L’Etape du Tour Alpine Cyclosportive.

Ride 3 additional iconic TdF iconic climbs

Lodging Quality cyclist friendly hotels

4 nights in 1st hotel during Etape
3 different hotels through the Alps after Etape
Meals Three daily meals included
Support – Airport pick up / drop off

Cycling Services

£1,875 double occupancy, £2,100 single occupancy.

Group Size Limited to 10 riders. Includes entry in L’Etape du Tour. All taxes and service charges included. Bike Rentals Available £225 for the trip.

8 Day Package

DAY 1 – Thursday July 16, 2015:  Arrival and Welcome. Arriving at Geneva Airport, we’ll pick you up in our vans for the drive to the Maurienne valley and our first hotel.  We’ll settle in, build up our bikes and take a brisk spin up the valley to pedal out cobwebs, before dinner at the hotel.  30k / 350m climbing

DAY 2 – Friday July 17: L’Etape Recon. and Glandon
Today we’ll start a two-day, thorough reconnaissance of the L’Etape du Tour course by bike and/or van.  En route, we’ll stop for a quick snack at the famous cyclists’s café at the summit of Col de Croix de Fer.   Dinner back at the hotel along with any bike adjustments.  85km / 1,350m climbing

DAY 3 – Saturday July 18: Race registration & Bike prep
The main activity of today will be to pick-up the race bibs, completely prep bike, nutrition and any other last minute formalities.  The race start is a 30 km round trip which should serve a s a perfect opportunity to keep the legs spinning. Our dinner will be good, easy to digest comfort food before a good night’s sleep.   30km / 400m climbing

DAY 4 – Sunday July 19: Sunday July 20: L’Etape du Tour
Race day!  We’ve arranged an early breakfast to eat and digest well before the 7am start.   Our hotel is just a 15 minute drive from the start.  We’ll park in a quiet spot near the start allowing ample time for last minute preparations.  During L’Etape, DuckStore will support you with 2 private feed/clothing stations. 142km / 4609m  climbing

DAY 5 – Monday July 20: Recovery ride back into the hills
No reason to wake up early today.  After breakfast we’ll start our day with a leisurely breakfast before easing into the 2nd phase of the trip, cycling stage 19 of the 2015 Tour de France in 2 days.  First up, casually riding the Col du Télégraphe with a 4km of descent to the gorgeous alpine ski village Valloire as a reward.  20km / 850m climbing

DAY 6 – Tuesday July 21: Two iconic TdF climbs
Right out the door of our hotel we start climbing one of France’s most iconic climbs, the Galibier.  Starting in the morning we’re likely to hear the marmots cheer us on with their distinctive whistle.  The Galibier done, it’s time to cruise down to the base of our next iconic climb; Alpe d’Huez and its 21 hairpins.   Night atop Alpe d’Huez.  80km / 3224m climbing

DAY 7 – Wednesday July 22: another TdF classic
From Alpe d’Huez we’ll ride even higher up the remote Col de Sarenne before taking on one of the most spectacular descents in the Alps.  Now, properly warmed the next challenge is the authentic HC Col de la Croix de Fer. Our route takes us all the way down the Maurienne valley where we’ll transfer to Geneva.  An easier ride option also exists for anyone feeling a bit tired today.  In any event we’ll end the day in Geneva with a hearty final meal together.  Our hotel is just a short hop from the Geneva airport.  120km / 2930m climbing, 4460m descending

DAY 8 –  Thursday July 23:  Au Revoir
After one last breakfast, it’s time to say “Au revoir et à bientôt”.   What a week of alpine cycling!  We’ll get you to the Geneva airport just 10 minutes away where you can catch your flight home or to another destination.