L'Alpe d'Huez
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Welcome to Grenoble, the gateway to the Alps
A transfer to Les Deux Alpes will bring us to the heart of these mountains, not far from cycling’s most celebrated climb, the Alpe d’ Huez. Today, we just test ourselves on this icon, taking in the first 6 (and toughest) of the cherished 21 hairpins, before veering right onto a spectacular paved lane that winds high above the valley floor. This thrilling ride will drop us near the base of the Les Deux Alpes. Take the climb or save your legs for another day. Tonight, enjoy a healthy meal in one the guides’ favorite restaurants.
Meals: Light Lunch / Dinner
Mileage: 30 miles / 48 km.
Climbing: 4,766 feet / 1,453 meters
Galibier
Today we’ll tackle the Galibier, which sits about 1.25 miles above Bourg d’Oisans and 27 miles away from our start. Our road snakes up under sharp cliffs, by tall waterfalls, and past 10,000 foot glaciated peaks to the Col de Lautaret. Then we’ll turn left and the road gets steeper. At the top we’ll enjoy the view before a late lunch in La Grave with a magnificent view of La Meije and our descent back to Les Deux Alpes. Climb back to the hotel or take it easy in the van before relaxing at the hotel. Another nourishing meal awaits us tonight.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Mileage: 62 miles / 100km.
Climbing: 9,269feet / 2,826 meters
Destinations: La Grave, Col de Lautaret, Col de Galibier
Vallée de la Romanche
Get acquainted with some of the lesser-known climbs of the Vallée de la Romanche today. The route to Oulles isn’t on the Tour de France - never could be, too small a town - but that doesn’t make its five miles at 8.3% any easier. And the Tour probably won’t ever enjoy the savage beauty of the Vénéon Torrent and the undulating road that follows it. We can. And at the end of the ride, take a break at a hidden sauna in the small town of St. Christophe en Oisans. Relaxed, refreshed, we’ll drive back to the Les Deux Alpes. A good meal waits for us.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Mileage: 51 miles / 83 km.
Climbing: 6,275 feet / 1,913 meters
Destinations: Oulles, Venosc, St. Christophe-en-Oisans
Alpe d’Huez
Today is the Alpe d’ Huez. With the first six turns already in our minds… the rest will still be a challenge. But we’re ready. This is the day to ride the most storied climb in cycling. At 8.5 miles at 8.1%, the climb will test us, and we’ll become part of its legend. We’ll give it everything today. Then, we’ll discover we even have a little more. Is today the day we ride up to Les Deux Alpes? It’s our’s to choose. Tonight we’ll enjoy a meal wherever we wish, the guides will show us the best options.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Mileage: 42 miles / 68 km.
Climbing: 7,377 feet / 2,249 meters
Destinations: Bourg d’ Oisans, L’Alpe d’Huez
Col de Sarenne
Today we will discover another of the secret climbs of the region, the Col de Sarenne. Discover the road before it features prominently on this year’s Tour de France. At 7.5 miles and 7.3%, this route will challenge our legs and reward our efforts with astounding views. On the other side, take a pause in L’Alpe d’ Huez before we descend by another back road, leading to yet more astounding views. After returning to the hotel we can rest up before a final meal that will seriously replenish some of the nutrients used this week. Toast the grandest moments and enjoy a great last night in the alpine height.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Mileage: 48 miles / 78 km.
Climbing: 6,914 feet / 2,108 meters
Destinations: Col de Sarenne, L’Alpe d’Huez
Back to Grenoble to the Start of Our Next Adventure
We’ll take a moment for breakfast and watch the sun glinting off the snowy peaks of La Meije. If we have a little left in the legs, we can descend the Les Deux Alpes and race up its 6 miles at 6.2%. In the early afternoon we will drive back to Grenoble to the start of our next adventure, much stronger from our amazing week of biking.
Meals: Breakfast / Light lunch / Dinner
TOTALS: 377 km. (232 miles) up to 10,549 meters (34,601 feet) of climbing