Classic Climbs of the Alps

2023 DATES NOW OPEN FOR BOOKING!

Challenge-Eat-Sleep-Cycle-European-Cycling-Tour

CHALLENGE

6 NIGHTS

3* & 4* HOTELS

LEVEL 3

511KM

15,300 M

ALPS CYCLE TOUR

Enjoy epic climbs, thrilling descents and exquisite, ever-changing scenery. The Alps are the foundation of cycling history, home to iconic mountains where the world’s best cyclists become household names.

Start the ride on the shores of Lake Annecy. Make your own slice of history on the slopes of the Semnoz, the Madeleine, the Croix du Fer, the Glandon, the Telegraph, & the Galibier as you ride south to finish in style at the summit of Alpe d’Huez.

This is an all-inclusive, fully supported tour. On an Eat Sleep Cycle tour all you have to think about is enjoying your ride. Our trip support is second to none and we pride ourselves on a high staff-guest ratio. We take care of everything so you can savour the ride of a lifetime.

CYCLING ITINERARY

Day 1:

Meet your guides at Grenoble train station and take a 90 min transfer to Lake Annecy.

Warm-up ride, Col de Leschaux, 43 km, 900 m

Day 2:

Point to point ride, Lake Annecy to Albertville, 87 km, 2,000 m

Highlight climbs: Semnoz, 16 km, 1150 m, 7% av., Col du Frene, 12 km, 300 m, 3% av.

Day 3:

Point to point ride Albertville to La Toussuire, 96 km, 3,300 m

Highlight climbs: Col de la Madeleine, 25 km, 1,600 m, 6% av., La Toussuire, 19 km, 1,100 m, 5.5% av

Day 4:

Take on a 5-Col challenge on this breathtaking loop ride, 109 km, 3,500 m

Highlight climbs: Col du Mollard, 12 km, 900 m, 7% av., Col de la Croix de Fer, 13 km, 800 m, 5% av., Col du Glandon (we descend to here!), Lacets de Montvernier, 3 km, 250 m, 8% av., Toussuire via Jarrier, 17 km, 1,100 m, 6% av.

Day 5:

Point to point ride, La Toussuire to Bourg-d’Oisans, 112 km, 2,800 m

Highlight climbs: Col du Télégraphe, 11 km, 800 m, 7% av., Col du Galibier, 18 km, 1,200 m, 7% av.

Day 6:

Loop ride to the Alpe d’Huez, 53 km, 1,700 m

Highlight climb: Alpe du’Huez, 15 km, 1,147 m, 8% av.

Day 7:

Departures

Group transfer to Grenoble train station (60 mins)

IS THIS TOUR FOR ME?

This is a challenging itinerary. To best enjoy the tour riders should be comfortable riding 100 kms and able to climb for at least an hour without stopping to altitudes of over 2,000 m. Some climbs will take 2-3 hours to complete. Guests are invited to take all climbs at their own pace & the support vehicle is always close by for those who wish to shorten the ride. Training for the tour is essential.

MAP

Eat-Sleep-Cycle-European-Cycling-Tours-Classic-Climbs-of-the-Alps

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

LAKE ANNECY
ALPE D’HUEZ
COL DU GALIBIER
COL DU TELEGRAPHE
COL DE LA MADELEINE
COL DE LA CROIX DE FER
LACETS DU MONTVERNIER

ALPS TOUR INFORMATION

RIDE SUPPORT

Full Support

Rides are fully supported by our team of guides and vehicles.

The ride support vehicle is stocked with natural ride nutrition, electrolytes and water. On longer days the team will serve a roadside lunch – a time efficient pit stop with the right balance of carbohydrates, protein, fruit & veg to keep you energized and feeling healthy all week.

Eat Sleep Cycle ride leaders are experienced riders from all walks of life united by a love of Cycling who’ll help to keep the group safe, motivated and savouring the trip of a lifetime. Our Tour Leaders know the region well and speak the local language.

Mechanical support will be close by at all times.

Quick Facts

THE HIGHEST PEAK IN THE ALPS IS MONT BLANC AT 4,810 M.
THE ALPE D’HUEZ HAS 21 HAIRPINS.
THE TOUR DE FRANCE FIRST WENT THROUGH THE ALPS IN 1911.

FOOD & ACCOMMODATION

Full Board

Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and ride nutrition tailored especially for cyclists.

Start the day with a breakfast buffet at the hotel to prepare for an epic day in the saddle. Then on the road eat a time-efficient lunch served by the support team and stay fueled all day with ride nutrition from the support vehicle.

Refuel for the next day with dinner included at our accommodation or in nearby restaurants.

Alpine Hospitality

Rest and recover from the day on the bike in our carefully selected 3* & 4* hotels.

Les Trésoms Spa & Lake Resort * * * *, Lake Annecy (1 night)

Soak up spectacular views in this beautiful hotel on the shores of Lake Annecy. The medieval city centre of Annecy is a 15 min stroll away.

Hotel Million * * *, Albertville (1 night)

Stay in a bourgeois house from 1770 turned traditional French hotel.

Le Beausoleil * * *, La Toussuire (2 nights)

Relax in traditional chalet-style accommodation in the village of La Toussuire. Enjoy a warm welcome & seasonal produce at the restaurant.

Hotel Grandes Rousses * * * *, Alpe d’Huez (2 nights)

A fabulous hotel on the top of Alpe d’Huez. Unwind in the spa, enjoy surf & turf cuisine at the restaurant & enjoy a nightcap at the bar.

BIKE HIRE

Bike Hire

Benefit from a 10% discount on any Eat Sleep Cycle bike hire as part of this package.

Choose from a Ridley, designed in cycling’s heartland of Belgium, or a state-of-the-art Factor bike. All our bikes are supplied with compact 50-34 chainsets & 11-32 cassettes.

Our Bikes

RIDLEY FENIX SL 105

Carbon Frame
Shimano 105 11-speed
Forza RC23 wheelset

RIDLEY HELIUM X

Carbon Frame
Shimano Ultegra 11-speed
Forza RC23 wheelset

RIDLEY FENIX DISC

Disc Brake Road Bike
Carbon Frame
Shimano Ultegra 11-speed
Hydraulic disc brakes
DTSwiss R24 DB wheelset.

FACTOR O2

State-of-the-art lightweight frameset
Black Inc. carbon wheels & finishing kit
Shimano Ultegra Di2

BOOK YOUR 2023 TOUR TODAY FOR A €500 DEPOSIT

TRIP SUMMARY

2023 Trip Dates

19th – 25th June, 7th – 13th August

On demand for groups

Available as a custom tour

Price Per Head

€3,399

Single Supplement €699

Ready to Ride?

Ask Us A Question

Travel Logistics

Meeting Point: The meet point for the tour is Grenoble Train Station at 10am on Day 1 of the tour.

Choose to fly in to Grenoble Airport or take a 3 – 4 hour train to Grenoble from Paris.

Departure: Riders will be taken back to Grenoble Train Station for 11 am on Day 7 of the tour.

What's Included?

Cycling: Fully guided and supported.
Accommodation: 3*/4* Hotels and guesthouses.
Food: Full board.
Bike Hire: Optional – 10% discount
Transfers: Return group transfer to Grenoble Train station

Group Bookings

Groups of 8 or more riders: can book this as a private tour on your choice of dates with the same pricing.
Groups of 6 or more riders: can also travel as a private group, ask us for a quote.

Payment

Deposit: a €500 deposit will secure your place on the tour.
2nd Payment: 50% of the balance is due 6 months before your tour departure
Balance: the outstanding balance is due 2 months in advance of the tour.

Eat Sleep Cycle S.L. is a registered Spanish Travel Agency, registration number ESB55305734. This includes financial coverage for losses in case of insolvency by Seguros Catalana Occidente, Policy Number: 8-6.673.112-A & Civil Liability insurance by AXA Seguros, Policy Number: 81701012.

“

Absolutely brilliant service, Edward, Peter and Gethin were absolutely superb... The bikes were top class and just a totally professional outfit.. Thanks Brian.
Claire Mcgonigle

“

I loved traveling with ESC and would book another trip with them - for sure! The emphasis was about having fun and achieving our goals as a group. The guides were safe, easy to get to know and encouraging throughout the rides. The support was amazing! We had plenty of food, snacks and drinks along the ride and Lee and his team were totally accommodating to riders of all levels. The hotels were great and meals excellent. Really - nothing negative to say except that they are not located in the USA so I can’t use their company more frequently. I guess I have to get back to Europe! Thanks Lee and Team. What a trip!!
C.S

“

I just finished a bespoke trip with the crew from ESC. It was the most amazing cycling I've ever done in my life. The trip with worth every penny. Everything from the routes, support, and hotels were planned with such thought and care. Looking forward to many more trips with ESC!
Jennifer Oh