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 $6,050 AUD
Your own room + $1,360 AUD
Couple $10,400 AUD
bikeNOW Europe toured Switzerland in 2019 and has been dreaming of going back. If you are looking for new terrain to explore or you want to see the top of the world, this should be called ‘Tour du Bucket List.’ From Annecy to Lake Como via the scarcely populated European wilderness through Switzerland and the Italian Alpes before dropping back south through the Italian lakes region. This tour is the jewel of our 2023 lineup. The Swiss Alpes tour is about you, a great 'zen' holiday to forget a busy life and just focus on yourself and the mountains.
*If this tour is a bit long, you can start on day 3 as we leave Annecy or we can plan a pickup/drop at Interlaken halfway on day 7 and yo could also finish a day earlier on the 29th as the day after we arrive at Como.
*We suggest you stay with us for at least an additional day to ride our Como discovery ride to Como Village and Magreglio.
12 days (7 day option available)
Distance: From $790-852km
From $6050 Couple $8250
Highlights
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Col du Forclaz
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Lac Annecy and Village
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Chamonix
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Mont Blanc / Aguille du Midi and 'The Void'
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Interlakin $40 hamburgers
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Swiss trains inc Steepest Funicular
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Belvédère Rhonegletscher
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Grindelweld and the dedicated mountain traverse bike road
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Swiss wilderness
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Lago Maggiore,
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Lago di Lugano
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Lago di Como and Como Village
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Bellagio
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
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
Arrival Details
10am 19th July 2023
Fly into Geneva and TGV to Annecy
*If you would like to split the trip half way there is an opportunity to connect via Basel or Zurich then train to Interlakin.
Departure Details
10am 30th July 2023
Shuttle to Milan Airport
*If you would like to split the trip half way there is an opportunity to connect to Basel or Zurich airports via train from Interlakin.
Day 1 - 19/07/2023
Hotel: Best Western Hotel International,
Annecy.
3 Star. (Business hotel near TGV)
Activity-Col du Forclaz
52km 916m LEVEL 4 – INTERMEDIATE
*interactive route maps below
To settle into tour life, we start with a few easy days exploring Annecy. We will be following the route of the recent Tour de France up Col du Forclaz. Short but with a 3 km pinch to finish (double digit gradient) will soon be forgotten whilst enjoying a bevy looking back over the Lake with Paragliders filling the sky. If you love descending, this will be a great introduction to what is coming. Smooth roads and lots of corners. We are looking forward to seeing you pulling your bike up to a stop at the bottom of the descent with an ear-to-ear grin and knowing you are on the right tour.
* We suggest you come a day early on the 18th to relax and recover from your flight. TGV fast train is very close to our hotel and we are within walking distance of everything. On the morning of the 19th, we will set your bike up for the journey ahead.
* If you are short on time, you could arrive today or tomorrow for the Swiss tour.
Day 2 - 20/07/2023
Hotel: Best Western Hotel International
Annecy
3 Star
Activity-Montee de Semnos
59km 1500m LEVEL 5 – INTERMEDIATE
*interactive route maps below
On the west side of Lake Annecy there is a climb called Montee de Semnos. A short ride, 17km and up 1100m. Today we will test your climbing legs before a great fun descent back to Annecy. We have all afternoon to explore Annecy for shopping and recreation on the lake. Annecy is the place most people would like to stay longer!
Today would be a good optional arrival day if you want to reduce the number of days you are on tour.
Day 3 - 21/07/2023
Hotel: L'Alpage, Le Grand-Bornand.
Le grand Bornard
38km 1100m LEVEL 3 – EASY
60km 2044m LEVEL 7 – CHALLENGE
*interactive route maps below
We normally ride directly to Chamonix however, this year we want to share a few special things on the way and get a few special climbs in before our forced rest day on Mont Blanc. You have a choice of two rides today, ‘over or around’.
You can get in another trophy climb on Col du Collet or a gentle ride around through the cute Savoy village of Thones for a cafe stop.
Day 4 - 22/07/2023
Hotel: La Folie Douce Hotels Chamonix
4 Star rating, Swimming Pool
Activity- Ride into Chamonix
74km 1232m LEVEL 6 – INTERMEDIATE
83km 1663m LEVEL 8 – CHALLENGE
*interactive route maps below
This morning we finish off the Grand Bornard climb and descend into the next valley en route for Chamonix. We will ride through Saint Gervaise which holds a very intersting history, We will take a moment to learn what changed after that faithful night in 1892.
Our ride is non stop Savoy region that offers the scenery that has millions glued to the TV each July, but not us, we live it.
We have a challenging little backroad up into the valley of Chamonix. As we ride along the high valley, will have you breathless curtained by mountains including Mont Blanc.
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Day 5 - 23/07/2023
Hotel: La Folie Douce Hotels Chamonix
4 Star rating, Swimming Pool
Activity-Mont Blanc
Today is a rest day, well sort of. It is actually a bucket list day! We suggest that you take The Aiguille du Midi cable car from Chamonix Mont-Blanc (1035m), hanging over the forest to reach le Plan de l'Aiguille in only 10 minutes to 2317m high. Then further onto the second cable car to 3842m to what is called, the Terrace. ‘Step into the Void’ is an unforgettable experience with more than a thousand metres of emptiness beneath your feet inside this glass box. Thrills are guaranteed...This is as high as you can go up Mont Blanc without climbing gear.
Day 6 - 24/07/2023
Hotel: ibis Styles Sierre, Sierre
3 Star Accommodation
Swiss Immersion Chamonix - Sierre
93km 1132m LEVEL 6 – INTERMEDIATE
*interactive route maps below
Leaving France and our 2-night stay in Chamonix with so much more to see, we ride across a small mountain range into Switzerland. You will experience a spectacular view coming down the long switchback looking onto the Swiss sedimentary valley of Martigny. You will clearly notice the change in the culture and environment of Switzerland!
After lunch in Martigny, we have a flat ride between the rural mountains to Sierre. We arrive at Sierre with a purpose, tomorrow's first train leg on the Glacier Express rail. If we are hot and need a refreshing swim, Sierre has a great public heated Bains de Géronde or lake.
Day 7 - 25/07/2023
Hotel: Neuhaus Golf- & Strandhotel, Interlaken
3 Star Accomodation
3 STar
Activity- Ride and train to Interlaken
49km 507m LEVEL 3 – EASY
*interactive route maps below
Only a short easy 30km ride before we go through the mountain by Train to Spiez for lunch, then finish off with an easy 25km flat ride to Interlaken. An easy ride to celebrate our arrival accommodation right on the lake. Not many tours take you to these parts but every hour in Switzerland and you will know why we are here.
Our accommodation is just out of the noise of Interlaken city at the highly rated Neuhaus Golf- & Strandhotel on the lake.
Day 8 - 26/07/2023
Hotel: Hotel-Restaurant Alpina, Interkirchen
Activity - GROSSE SCHEIDEGG through Grindelweld
67km 1718m LEVEL 7 - CHALLENGE
.*interactive route maps below
Interlaken feels like a mini Chamonix but Swiss style. Above the dual lakes of Interlaken is Grindelwald. Steep trains and big mountains are easy to find but, we have a new treat. From Grindelwald to Interkitchen there is a special little road for bikes and walkers Grosse Scheidegg, The non-vehicle road traverses the mountains at altitude. This we expect will be a highlight of our tour and hopefully a life memory in creation. Our accommodation is rural and quaint for an authentic Swiss regional experience.
Day 9 - 27/07/2023
Hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen, Andermatt
4 Star Hotel
Bond country
61km 2380m LEVEL 8 – CHALLENGE
*interactive route maps below
From Interkitchen to Hospental, we will be in Bond country! Just spectacular scenery on big mountains and smooth roads. We have a small plan during the climb to stop for a special treat at the steepest funicular rail in the world over 100% incline. It is sadly currently closed but we have let them know we are coming and to hurry up and get it ready. There are a few iconic scenes on the way that we will leave for you to discover as the ride rolls out, It is better when it comes as a surprise. Sometimes in regional areas we need to take the only hotel available, and tonight is no exception in a good way. 4 Star amazing hotel.
Day 10 - 28/07/2023
Hotel: Tertianum Residenza Hotel & Ristorante Al Parco, Locarno.
3 Star accommodation and swimming pool.
Swiss Lakes
105km 960m LEVEL 6 – INTERMEDIATE
. *interactive route maps below
We start with a 10k climb, averaging at 6% before a 95km downhill to Locarno on the Swiss / Italian border. The Lago Maggiore is a clear sign that our Italian lakes portion has begun although we will not cross the border until tomorrow. This is a long day but very cruisy, we do not want to get in too late because our accommodation tonight is a good one. We will enjoy the pride of Switzerland and the culture of Italy.
Day 11 - 29/07/2023
Hotel: Hotel Excelsior Splendide,
Bellagio, Lake Como
3 Star accommodation
Swimming Pool
Italian Lakes Lake Como
78km 1307m LEVEL 6 – INTERMEDIATE 3
*interactive route maps below
Starting today with a lakeside ride along Lago Maggiore before a little ferry to Luino and onto Lago di Lucano rolling through to Como and yet another ferry. Tonight’s accommodation is at the most iconic town of Lake Como. Bellagio has it all, fun, food, shopping, activities.
Day 12 - 30/07/2023
Today is a pack-up and departure day for those leaving us. We will help prepare you for travel and arrange for your transit to TGV or Milano airport.
We suggest you continue at least 1 more day to ride Lake Como and depart on the 31st of July -
***(optional extra)***
Hotel: Hotel Excelsior Splendide,
Bellagio, Lake Como
3 Star accommodation
Swimming Pool
Italian Lakes Lake Como
90km 2060m LEVEL 9 – CHALLENGE
If you decided to stay on, we have ride 2 choices today.
Your ride today starts with a stunning ride around lake Como to Como VIllage to finish with either a challenging climb to the famous cycling museum or a lakeside roll.
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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.