We start at the rooftop bar in the Spanish coastal seaport of Bilbao overlooking the city skyline at twilight. You may make some time on your arrival to visit the 2nd of the famous Guggenheim Museums. From Bilbao, we begin our journey to France along the rugged Basque coastline through small fishing villages to arrive at the iconic seaside town of San Sebastian for Tapas and Sangria in the old town. Our green route inland toward the Pyrenees is carefully chosen for smooth quiet roads all the way with the option to bag the trophy climb of Col d’Aubisque on arrival to Lourdes.
This route was chosen to offer exceptional landscape and cultural experiences on a route that is not too challenging.
Highlights
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Guggenheim Museum
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San Sebastian Old Town
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Basque Culture
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Col d’Aubisque, Col du Soulour
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Coastal Roads and views
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Basque Hinterland
Arrival Details
5th June 2020
Fly into Madrid or Barcelona then fly or fast train to Bilbao. We suggest arriving a day early to recover and to visit the Museum.
Departure Details
11th June 2020
if not continuing: Fly from Pau or Tarbes or train from Lourdes to Toulouse or Paris airport.
Twin Share $4,400 AUD
Your own room + $670 AUD
Couple $6,550 AUD
The Northern Alpes from Grenoble to Annecy is not only offers the greatest climbs in Europe in such a tight area but is the hot spot for cycling tourism and the scenery is one of the reasons millions are glued to the TV in July to not only see the Tour de France but the amazing scenery and that is exactly what we are going to experience.
Our tour through Savoy will cross paths with the Tour de France at 2 iconic locations to give you a deep respect for the circus and pick up some souvenirs. From Grenoble, all the way up to Alsace we will enjoy more northern European influences, Fondu, Yodelling and green fields with blond girls called Heidi. Putting aside all of that stuff we see in the movies aside, we are here for the steep rocky views and green mountain smooth roads, the Savoy cuisine and conquering famous mountains. If you have travelled with us from the south, you will notice the distinct difference in countryside, architecture, culture and food. It is hard to pick a favourite place to ride but we and many others hold the Savoy region as one of the best.
* We recommend that you arrive in Grenoble after lunch on the 10th. This will give you time to settle in and prepare for Alpe d'Huez. There is a sneaky option to also join us on the 9th for a ride into Les Deux Alpes.
•We recommend that you stay in Annecy for a few more days, there are 2 more rides before we head into Switzerland.
Highlights
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Col du Lauteret / Col du Galibiere
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Col de la Croix de Fer / Col du Glandon
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Alpe d''Huez / Col du Searenne
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Les Deux Alpes (and Telecabin)
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The Balcony rides
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Lacets of Montvernier
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2 Days on the Tour de France
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Le Grand Colombier
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Merebel and the new alpine cycle road
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Courcheval airport
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Col du Forclaz
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Lac Annecy and Village
Accommodation
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Carefully chosen 3-4* quality hotels
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Twin-share or room to yourself *POA
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See below day descriptions for hotels lis
Meals and snacks
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Breakfast Included
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Some Dinners included on some trips *TBA
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We provide during the day electrolytes, drinks, fresh fruit, muesli bars
Bike Hire
Specialized Tarmac disk low gear ration Carbon Road Bike / Ultegra; $65 AUD per day
Specialized Roubaix disk low gear ration Carbon Road Bike / Ultegra; $65 AUD per day
Specialized e-bike SL (superlight); $120 AUD per day
Payment details.
The initial deposit is $1000 120 days before travel, with free cancellation and a full refund. Full payment is required 60 days prior to departure.
*We suggest that you have comprehensive travel insurance in place before your payment to protect your trip
Our tours include
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Small groups maximum of 12 guests travelling as a boutique tour
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Qualified guide with you on the road
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On-route vehicle support van
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Ride options for beginners and advanced riders
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Rider tracking, we know where you are on the road
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Our mechanics maintain and make any repairs to your bike
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bikeNOW bikes available (see below)
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Airport / Rail station pick-up included * conditions apply
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GPS maps and mapping plus device management included
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Non-rider activities, we have a fun program if you are not riding
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Adapting the program to suit the conditions and group
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Assembling and repacking your bike if you bring your own
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A Flight bag is provided to borrow free and includes us preparing your bike for travel
The Tour Price Excludes
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Airfares and extra accommodation
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Travel Insurance – you must travel with insurance
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Any Meals, or alcohol not indicated in the itinerary
Arrival Details
10am 11th July 2023
Fly into Paris (CDG) Nice (NCE), then train Grenoble via Lyon on TGV (fast train)
Departure Details
10am 19th July 2023
If not continuing, depart shuttle to Annecy then fly from GEN Geneva airport
Day 1 - 11/07/2023
Hotel: Hotel Les Lutins, Les Deux Alpes.
2 Star.
Activity-Alpe d'Huez
80km 1800m LEVEL 7 – CHALLENGE
85km 2660m LEVEL 10 - CHALLENGE
*Interactive route map below
Day 1, BANG, we are into it! We start in the Alpes with Alpe d’Huez. It is okay if you are not ready for a big ride first day. Because we are leaving from Les Deux Alpes with a big downhill ride to Borg d’Osains, then we have all day to ride 13km of Alpe d’Huez. Then the end of the climb we could descend and then take the Venosc Telecabin back to the accommodation for an easy finish but, if you are keen for a big day out, our ‘Red’ ride offers the premium balcony ride and Cole du Searenne.
Our accommodation is not our usual 3+ star as it does not have a restaurant, elevator or pool but, we choose this hotel as one of our favourites! 8.8/10 approval, log cabin feel, mountain views, surrounded by great restaurants.
Day 2 - 12/07/2023
Hotel: Hotel le Marintan,
St Michael du Maurienne.
3 Star accommodation
Activity- Col du Galibier
Col du Glandon / Col de la Croix de fer
Galibiere - 80km 2197m LEVEL 8 - CHALLENGE
Glandon - 103km 2321m LEVEL 9 - CHALLENGE
*interactive route maps below
We are among the big stuff and we have a task to head into the next Valley of the Iseran River and there are 2 ways. We will discuss each ride the day before and choose the best on the day or offer both. We have Col du Galibier via Col du Lautaret or Col du Glandon / Croix de fer
Day 3 - 13/07/2023
Hotel: Kyriad Chambury Centre,
Chambury. (2 nights)
3 Star.
Activity Valley ride to Chambery
92km 732m LEVEL 5 - INTERMEDIATE
109km 1938m LEVEL 8 - CHALLENGE
*interactive route maps below Chambery
From St Michael du Maurienne, we will sense the Tour de France coming closer to the Savoy region. We head down the green Iseran valley to acquaint ourselves with Chambery for a few days. Yes, some nice descending before a red ride over a few hills on the way to Chambery. There is also the option to ride the famous Lacets of Montvernier.
Day 4 - 14/07/2023
Hotel: Kyriad Chambury Centre,
Chambury. (2 nights)
3 Star.
Activity-Tour de France
111km 2498m LEVEL 10 - CHALLENGE
From Chambery, we are in striking range to not only see the Tour but to be on Grand Colombier with views back to Lac du Bourget. This climb has the iconic lacets you see in the highlights of the Tour de France coverage and one of the most stunning views to Aix les Bains across the lake with a picnic lunch.
Although we have a big ride planned, there will be the option to take the support car to and from the town of Culoz at the base of the last climb. Today could also be a great rest day or ride as little or as much as you want.
Day 5 - 15/07/2023
Hotel: La Tavern,
Meribel.
Activity Chambery - Meribel
98km 2014m LEVEL 9 - CHALLENGE
*interactive route maps below
The Tour de France is coming again tomorrow but today we have a task of our own, making your holiday fantastic! We are heading back into the mountains to the famous ski town of Meribel for a bit of the good ol’ trusted ski resort altitude accommodation. We have a very green 80km ride on almost flat riding until we begin our climb up Merebel which we will call home for 2 nights.
The tavern is a party hotel in winter but in summer it is used as a mountain retreat. If you have not yet sampled the savoy cuisine, white wine fondu and other mountain specialities will be on the menu tonight. We are now again in range for seeing the tour for a second time and exploring the area.
Day 6 - 16/07/2023
Hotel: La Tavern,
Meribel.
Activity-Tourde France, Forclaz
31km 744m LEVEL 2 - EASY
93km 1204m LEVEL 7 – CHALLENGE
*interactive route maps below
The Tour de France is passing earlier in the day over Col de Forclaz, we have the option to ride to the tour, or home from the tour with our support van available for the shuttle or, you can have a hero day and ride to the tour and back to Meribel if you have the legs. You can also leave the bike at home for a day to explore Albertville and see the tour on foot. If you want a day to relax we have a day at the lodge. There is yet another option to ride Col du Madelaine. Today we have it all for anybody.
Day 7 - 17/07/2023
Hotel: Brit Hotel Florimont,
Albertville/ Saint-Ferréol, France. .
3 Star Accomodation
Activity-Courcheval
68km 658m LEVEL 4 - INTERMEDIATE
92km 1659m LEVEL 8 – CHALLENGE
*interactive route maps below
We have been following the development of Meribel and Courcheval resorts for cycling over the last few years. The mountains are moving to focus on cycling during summer. You may know Courcheval as the ski jump airport featured in the opening of a 007 Bond film and said to be one of the most difficult to fly in and out of. The cycle route between resorts is closed to vehicles and free for cyclists to traverse the high mountains and we must explore. There are some steep bits according to the report but it is designed for road cyclists and we have all day. Alternatively, you can shuttle by support car to Courcheval. After Courcheval, we have a big gentle descent then a long flat green valley to Saint Ferrol. Today once again we have an option for all but not all options are listed. We have a few tricks up our sleeve to keep everybody happy!
Day 8 - 18/07/2023
Hotel: Best Western Hotel International,
Annecy.
3 Star.
Activity-Road to Annecy
92km 1549m LEVEL 7 – CHALLENGE
30km 178m Level 2 - EASY
*interactive route maps below
Some would say “nothing to see here”. Today we have nothing iconic, nothing from magazines or in the tour coverage but, each time we ride this route, it is a favourite. South of Annecy there is a mountain range like a big tooth molar, with green rural farmland and vineyards. But no tourists or cars, great views, smooth roads, and finally riding down to the lake and around to Annecy. Just one of the most beautiful days to be on a bike! Alternatively, you can ride a leisurely flat short ride direct along the the lake to Annecy.
Below is your complete interactive guide to each ride day by day.
You can change the type of map in the top right-hand corner.
You can zoom in or out with the +/- button bottom right,
Drag the little yellow man to see the street view (depending type on the map selected)
Navigate the selection along the bottom to find the day you want to review.
You can open or download the interactive map to view all info including climbs.
*You may need to wait for the interactive map to load depending on the speed of your connection or device.
*If the interactive map below does not load, please try a different browser or visit bikenoweurope.com on desktop, we suggest for best compatibility use Chrome, Safari, Edge ect.