Reilly Cycling Adventures | Alpine Living and the 2007 Tour de France

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2007 Tour de France
Guided Cycling Tour Sample Itinerary 2007 dates coming soon!

We arrive at Lyon Airport and soon begin our adventure in the French Alps. You will be met by our team at Lyon airport and transferred to the Alps. Relax and unwind at "Il Fera Beau Demain" which will be our base for the next eight nights. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner together at Bonsoir Clara. Our staff will assemble your bike and have you ready to go for your first morning ride in one of the world's most challenging mountain ranges. (D)

Our first day in the mountains offers two options: You may choose to descend Villard Reculas road (9km @6%) and ride the Col d'Ornon (14km @ 4%) which has featured as a pre-cursor to the Alpe d'Huez climb during the Tour de France. The second option is to descend the Alpe d'Huez from our Chalet, via Summer road and cross the valley to the climb of Les Deux Alpes (9km @ 6%) Les Deux Alpes is not a difficult climb and its newly paved road surface and numbered switchback turns take you the distance to the summit as you ascend. The village of Deux Alpes is a wonderful place for lunch and has some great spots for eating coupled with some stunning scenery. We will descend and meet back in Bourg d'Oisans for shopping; a sag van ride home or those in the mood can of course ride up Alpe d'Huez back to our Chalet. Alpe d'Huez is always an option each evening for those wishing to ride back. We will spend the evening comparing the rides, exchanging war stories, enjoying some great local wine and a wonderful dinner in Villard Reculas. (B) (D)

As the Tour de France riders enjoy a day of rest we will get an early start for the 2hr sag drive out to Val d'Isere where we commence today's riding. We will follow the Tour de France route and climb to the highest point of the Tour de France the huge Col de L'Iseran (2770m) (15km @6%) then hold on for the unforgettable 71km descent to St Michel de Maurienne and the foot of the Telegraphe where you will have the option to ride the Telegraphe (12km @6.7%) before a sag ride home from Valloire. This will be an exciting ride and a chance to cover a large portion of an actual Tour de France stage. Tonight we will have aperitifs at the Chalet and a chef prepared meal before tomorrow's big Tour de France viewing day. (B) (D)

Today, as the Tour de France riders leave Val d'Isere and head toward Briancon we will ride out from our Chalet for the Long climb of the Col du Lautaret (38km @4%) and up to the Massive Galibier (9km @ 6.9%). Those who wish can take a sag ride most of the way up to the summit of the Lautaret and finish the climb of the Galibier before the Tour riders come charging through. We will intersect with the Tour de France on the back side of Galibier just before the summit where a tent and refreshments will await you. Once the Tour has passed we will take the very fast descent (tour riders reach upwards of 60mph) back to Bourg d'Oisans and a sag ride back to the Chalet. Once again, anyone wishing to ride the Alpe d'Huez along with the guides is always welcome to do so. Enjoy a relaxing dinner this evening back at our Chalet. (B) (D)

The Tour de France leaves Tallard today and heads south to Marseille. We will take the sag wagons (65miles) to the start of today's stage. Watch the riders sign in and maybe even grab an autograph or two before they roll out. After we experience a Tour start we will take a short trip (15km) up to Gap for lunch and then begin our ride of the day. Guillestre is our jump off point for our climb of the Col d'Izoard (32km @5%). The first 17km of the climb are quite enjoyable with a relaxed grade but the challenges appear over the last 15km which can reach 10% grades before the summit. The famous memorial in honor of two time Tour winner and five time Giro winner, Fausto Coppi stands on this south facing ascent and is a great place to stop for pictures. Once on the summit we can regroup before the 20 km screaming descent into Briancon where we will meet for the ride back to Alpe d'Huez. Relax and enjoy the Tour on TV with a glass of wine, play a game of Petanque with the locals of Villard Reculas or head out for an evening run with one of the guides. Dinner at our Chalet this evening. (B) (D)

Mont Ventoux dominates the landscape of Provence and the climb is steeped in history. Lance Armstrong believes it is the toughest climb in cycling; we don't disagree! Over 22km of climbing at an average gradient well above 7%, the Ventoux is a beast of a climb. High winds and harsh conditions can make this challenge more of a pilgrimage which requires equal amounts of mental fortitude and physical strength. We will climb the Ventoux using the Tour de France route leaving Bedoin (290m) and ascending to the summit (1912m) in 22km. The early grades are challenging, and beyond Chalet Reynard the gradient steepens further as the forest below gives way to the sun baked lunar landscape that has made the Ventoux one of cycling's most revered climbs. Lunch on the summit if weather permits before we descend back to the vans for the ride home. This is a day not to be missed and a chance for many to fulfill a dream. The Ventoux is a special place and a climb you will never forget! Relax and enjoy dinner this evening as you trade stories of today's ride. (B) (D)

Today is rest day for many and a chance to attend the open air market on Alpe d'Huez. Local merchants fill the streets and the air with the smell of fresh breads, cheeses, olives, crafts etc. Walk around town and relax at a café or take the cable car ride up to Pic Blanc (3330m Grandes Rousses Massif) which offers breathtaking views of the Parc National des Ecrins. Those in the mood for more cycling have the opportunity to ride any of the local smaller climbs such as Vaujany or Col d'Ornon if you chose Les Deux Alpes the first day. Alpe d'Huez of course is always the route home but for some perhaps a less steep yet challenging climb up Villard Reculas Road (9km at 6%) is the way to go. Sag will take a rest and assist with shopping and market day today so we encourage you to stay local and not venture too far without the guides. Return to the Chalet for dinner. (B) (D)

Col de la Croix de Fer is a (27km @ 4.5%) climb that contains a little bit of everything. Some gentle rolling sections, some short downhills and a few steeper sections will bring you to the lake at the Grand Maison. The deep green waters and stunning scenery of the Col du Glandon (a Tour favorite) lie ahead. The summit of the Croix de Fer is a sister summit to the Col du Glandon, as the two peaks are part of the same mountain. Lunch at the café atop the Croix de Fer, before a great descent back to Bourg d'Oisans. Sadly it's time to pack up our bikes and get ready for tomorrow's departure. Tonight over a farewell dinner we say goodbye to new friends, trade our cycling experiences, and perhaps plan to meet up again next year. (B) (D)

After breakfast this morning, we depart for Lyon airport and bid you farewell on your trip home.

(Photos courtesy of Fintan Mc Cormac)

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