Ride La Route des Grandes Alpes

Six days of riding includes 16 mountain passes and 15,500m of climbing

Mat Brett, March 16, 2013

If you’re up for a challenge, how about taking on La Route des Grandes Alpes as an organised ride this summer? The route is 700km (440 miles), takes in 16 French mountain passes, and you’ll rack up 15,500m of climbing in six days.

La Route des Grandes Alpes is a marked route that traverses the French Alps from north to south. It starts at Lake Geneva and finishes at Côte d'Azur. Famous Tour de France climbs that feature along the way include Colombière, Télégraphe, Galibier and Aravis. It sounds like a ride you’re not going to forget in a hurry.

Italian Bicycling Tours (yes, they’re obviously branching out) are running a fully supported ride from 22 June until 29 June. You’ll get on-the-road van support as you ride and will stay in two-star and three-star hotels on the route.

The organisers will sort out transfers from the airports, drinks and snacks out on the road, evening dinners and secure bike storage. You’ll also go an exclusive jersey.

The price per person is from £950, based on a twin room.

For more details go to www.italiancyclingtours.com.

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Sounds awesome. Should have got back into cycling while I was still single!

Dodging the saccadic masking

posted by notfastenough [2052 posts] 16th March 2013 - 18:41

It is awesome, rode that route a couple of yrs ago. Recommended..

posted by james-o [121 posts] 16th March 2013 - 20:18

Yep, sounds awesome. I'm organising exactly the same trip for 14 of my pals this summer. The cost, including flights and full van support every day, is £300, although we're staying in a mixture of 2/3 star hotels & campsites.

For £600 difference I'll buy my own "free jersey" thanks!