Tour de France Cycling Holidays – July 9th – 15th
With over 10 years of cycling in the French Alps in Annecy we are proud to be able to offer you a special cycling experience with our Tour de France cycling holidays 2010.
Last year Annecy was the host town for the crucial final time trial stage of the race and what an incredible week it was!
This years Tour de France will arrive in the French Alps at the end of the first week of the bike race and we are offering you a superb bike tour week, including the opportunity of watching three stages live from the road side whilst you return each evening to relax in the enchanting town of Annecy.
Sunday 11th July View the Tour de France stage 8 Station des Rousses –Morzine-Avoriaz
Today is the first day in the mountains with the alpine stage having 2 major climbs; we will catch up with the action live from the roadside on the Cat 1 climb of the Col de la Ramaz (1615m).
As with all the Practice Bicycle planned rides you always have the option of taking it easy and enjoying the comfort of the support vehicle or choosing our carefully designed rides. Today can be a big day in the saddle for those who wish, with the option to ride to the mountain and also return by bike to Annecy.
Due to the nature and magnitude of this great sporting event we will need to get an early start this morning to get our spot on the mountain, and our rendezvous with the famous climb of the day, before the roads are closed to the public. We will head North East from Annecy, passing along the edge of the Alps and an area that was a stronghold of the French resistance during the Second World War, before descending into the valley and onto the most northerly region of the French Alps overlooking Lake Geneva (Lac Leman). It’s then time for us to experience the 1st Category Col de la Ramaz (1615m) 14km duration with an average of 6.9% after which you have the well deserved opportunity to relax under the Practice Bicycle.com marquis over a traditional Haute-Savoie French picnic lunch and view the action live from the roadside.
After all the action has passed us by you have the choice of returning to Annecy by support vehicle or riding home.
Planned Difficult ride: 80 – 160km approx ride time 4 – 7hrs route Col de la Ramaz (1615m).
Tuesday 13th July View the Tour de France stage 9 Morzine-Avoriaz – St Jean-de-Maurienne
After yesterday’s rest day the professional peloton will be fired up for the biggest mountain stage of this year’s Tour de France with 4 major alpine Col’s awaiting them. We have chosen the second climb of the day, the 1st Cat Col des Aravis (1498m) to catch up with the action live.
Tour de France cycling holidays are not all the same, with the Practice Bicycle local knowledge expect the best Col’s of varying difficulties and durations all accessible from Annecy and the clear blue waters of the edge of the Lake, but the Aravis Mountain range is one of the most spectacular and on a clear day you will see Mt Blanc (4810m) the White Mountain and highest peak in Europe.
This morning will require an early start as we head East into the Grand Alps, passing through the world renowned Reblochon cheese production area, before we start our long gradual climb deep into the high Alps amongst the shimmering peaks and the fresh mountain air, with breathtaking scenery around every corner.
This area of the Alps is also a world class skiing area and along with Annecy is bidding for the Winter Olympics in 2018, including the charming Ski station of La Clusaz a great Café and patisserie stop.
Supported all the way the Practice Bicycle.com marquis will be waiting for you on the slopes of the Col des Aravis (1498m) as we arrive on the race route and the final 7.6km with an average gradient of 5.9% to the summit.
A well deserved French picnic lunch will be available in time to catch all the atmosphere, action and excitement of peloton passing by, this experience of a lifetime for all cycling fans and travelers of the world.
Once all the race vehicles have passed the quickest way back to Annecy will be by bike, in time for you to catch up with the race action on the TV in the comfort of your accommodation.
Planned Difficult ride: 80km approx ride time 4hrs route Col des Aravis (1498m).
There could be no greater contrast after the exhilaration of today’s Tour de France stage than Annecy Old Town after dark, amongst the many sights take a look at the Palais de l’lsle, this boat shaped building has become a landmark and the second most photographed monument in France.
Wednesday 14th July “Bastille Day” View the Tour de France stage 10 Chambery – Gap
Today is our last opportunity to ride together during your Tour de France week and to share some of our favorite cycling roads with you, it’s also “La Fête Nationale” the celebrated National Holiday of France and we also have a great day of celebrations planned.
Your Tour de France experience today starts with an easy ride, passing South West of Annecy along the edge of the Semnoz Mountain and then progressively downhill all the way to the town of Chambery and the Stage Start. This will be your opportunity to wander amongst the teams and get some great photographs or even a signature of the stars of professional bike racing as they are in a relaxed mood before they start their days’ work. Once the race peloton has started its journey South we will celebrate in French style with a Gastronomique lunch experience before returning to Annecy mid afternoon.
Planned Easy ride: 60km approx ride time 2.30hrs route Chambery.
With the week drawing to an end, enjoy the delights and atmosphere of this very special town.
