Tour De France 2024

Your journey begins with a warm welcome at Grenoble TGV station, followed by check-in at your hotel.This first ride will enable you to adjust to your bike, the road conditions and to connect with your fellow riders. Shortly you will tackle your first "Col" : Sarenne. It is considered as a "forgotten col". It has only been featured once in Tour de France (2013), this side of Sarenne is short but with a decent gradient (3km at 7,8 %). Once at the top (1,999 m), try to spot which summit you will conquer over the coming days.

Daily Mileage: 18 km / 465 m  

As a warm up, we will tackle Col de Sarenne (3km at 7,8 %), before hitting one of the most technical descent you'll ever experienced. Upon finishing, you will be rewarded with a stunning panorama : Lac du Chambon. Then, the serious stuff will begin ! First, we will climb, Col du Lautaret (CAT 1, 25 km at 4 %), then the mighty Col du Galibier (Hors Catégorie, 8,6 Km at 6,8 %). It will be tough, but you will feel you are wearing wings as many spectators & fellow riders will cheer up. After a few pictures atop, we will descent back to our favorite Alpine farmhouse restaurant. The traditional Alpine lunch served will definitely erase the pain felt in the Galibier. It will also help in waiting for the Tour advertising caravan and of course the Pros. Challenge of the day :  to spot “Le maillot Jaune” & "polka dots" jersey to take the perfect picture. Once the "Grupetto" has passed, we will embark on a 25 km non-stop downhill. You will be invited for a transfer back to the hotel. Despite the tough day on the saddle, some may wish to carry on to climb l'Alpe d'Huez to reach the hotel & the recovery massage.

Daily Mileage: 82 km / Elev + 2,208 m

After yesterday's amazing show, we ride on quieter roads. We will tackle a forgotten climb of Tour de France : Col d'Ornon. This CAT 2 (10,5 km at 6,2 %) has been featured only 8 times since 1966 (last TDF in 2017). We will share a typical Alpine lunch on the summit, before tackling today's pièce de résistance : Alpe d'Huez. Since 1952, this iconic climb was featured in over 30 Tour de France stages (last in 2022). The 21 legendary bends, each with its own story, have played a pivotal role in Tour de France history. Each bend bears the name of Alpe d'Huez winner. Climbing Alpe d'Huez (Hors Catégorie, 14 km at 8%) brings you closer to the sport's essence. It also makes you realise the unbelievable strength it takes to be a Tour de France's pro. Small tip : to ease the pain while climbing try to remember on which bend N° you are currently riding.

Daily Mileage: 56 km / Elev + 1,780 m

By now, you have significantly improved your downhill skills. As a warm-up, we'll descend part of Alpe d'Huez before taking a scenic road overlooking the Oisans valley. We will then tackle Col de Sarenne 12 Km at 6.7 %). Despite the Tour de France passage in 2013, it is still considered as a forgotten col. One of the toughest Alpine col (Alt :1,999 m, first and last Kms at over 11 %), it is also one of the most beautiful and quiet pastoral road in the area.

Daily Mileage: 49 km / Elev +1,728 m

Be ready for another "Hors-Catégorie" monument, with the ascent of Col de la Croix de Fer. First featured in 1947 Tour de France, it is standing at 2,067 m. This col can be deceiving (24 km at 5,2 %), as it is famous for its portion of irregular slopes (contains a portion of 5 km of descent followed by 5 km climb at 11 %). Some Pros in the peloton call it the "leg breaker". To ease the pain while climbing, think of the Pic-Nic that awaits you at the summit and of the 20 km of downhill that follows. Bonus of the day : upon descending, a slight detour and a few additional hundred meters will allow you to add Col du Glandon to your Strava stats !

Daily Mileage: 78 km / Elev + 2,097 m

After a quick espresso at the hotel, we will warm-up, with your last descend of Alpe d'Huez. We will then, ride again on this quiet, scenic road overlooking the Oisans valley. This is the perfect spot for a sunrise picture opportunity. After the very last downhill of your journey, it will be time for you to tackle for the very last time l'Alpe . Despite this demanding week, it will be perfect for you to assess your progress. By then you will know every bend, "rest" & demanding sections. Perfect opportunity to improve your last Strava effort. You may aim for the KOM (36:08 Sepp Kuss). Realistically, we would advise you to aim for 1:15:00/1:30:00 After this refreshing leg spin, we will all enjoy a proper "Au Revoir" breakfast before driving you back to Grenoble TGV station.

Daily Mileage: 49 km /Elev + 1,759 m