Exciting times at a great Dauphine 2012!
It was a great Dauphine watching Cadel push ‘Wiggo’ all the way to the finishing line on the same slopes that we had challenged ourselves on cycling earlier in the day. One of the many highlights of our cycling vacation…
Dauphine Stage 5 Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans – Rumilly (Alps)
Ride: 85km approx ride time 4hrs route Le Grand Colombier (17.4km, average 7.1%, 1501m, Cat HC)
After the last two days of easier routes, today this tranquility turns into breathtakingly stunning scenery as we head into the high Alps for the next three days and it’s our turn for some action as we ride Le Grand Colombier (1501m/HC)! The Dauphine professional peloton will be fired up for this huge mountain and it’s the first time this great race has used this incredible ascent and one which you can now also experience for yourself with the challenge of this spectacular climb overlooking the giant river of France, the Rhone.
It’s an amazing day, ride one of the most difficult climbs in all of France! Recover, freshen up with some fine French cuisine with a wonderful ** Michelin Star gastronomic lunch amongst the Vineyards. Catch up with all the action of the stage on the lower slopes of the mountain at your unique “Live viewing spot”. Finally what could be a more pleasant way to top off our day than with a visit to one of our favourite local vineyards before we transfer by vehicle back to Annecy.
Dauphine Stage 6 Saint-Alben-Leysse – Morzine (Alps)
Ride – 85km approx ride time 4hrs route Col de la Colombiere (11.8km, average 5.7%, 1618m,
Yesterday the Peloton of the Dauphine took on the steep slopes of the Grand Colombier, todays stage will really test them as they are in the final week-end of this classic tour and the winner will certainly be decided on these final two tough stages! Your team has again used all their local knowledge to give you the best of both worlds with your perfect “Live viewing spot” close to the summit of the mountain and on a steep section of the climb. For most, the ideal spot to end a great ride, but for those looking for the top a couple of extra km’s of challenge is necessary for this goal! Having enjoyed the spectacular views and fresh alpine air it’s time to relax and enjoy the rest of the day with an Alpine restaurant lunch and the close up action of the very best climbers in the professional peloton in the Alps during this year’s Criterium du Dauphine!
Dauphine Stage 7 Morzine – Chatel (Alps)
Planned Difficult Ride – 50km approx ride time 3hrs route Thonon-les-Bains to Chatel
Stage 6 punished the riders with six categorized Cols, the winner of the 2012 Dauphine could be decided today on the very last stage with 5 more categorized Cols, including the Col du Corbier (1230m)… ouch!
After the last few days of remarkable and unforgettable rides, mixed in with sights and sounds of the world of professional cycling, not to mention the very best of French Flavours to top off each day, what will our final stage together bring!
You may well be deserving of a Rest Day off the bikes and as with all the Practicebicycle planned rides you always have the option of taking it easy and enjoying the comfort of the support vehicle today. On offer is the Trifecta of COLS for your bike tour week, after the Grand Colombier and the Col de la Colombiere we have available to us the Col du Corbier, it may not be long or even high, but steep…YES!
Today’s adventure takes us along the last 50km of this year’s race route and the final two climbs, starting in Thonon the chill of the Gorges du Dranse warms our legs up before the Col du Corbier, don’t worry if we are also feeling the effects of a great and challenging tour an alternative and slightly less stressful route is on offer?!
Arriving in Chatel in time for a relaxing lunch the Premium Practicebicycle way, with the rest of the afternoon available for relaxing as we wait for the best professional racing cyclists in the world to arrive at the final finishing line of this year’s magnificent Criterium du Dauphine race. The last 1.5 km will still hurt as the leaders fight for their final placing’s on the final switch backs only a few meters away!
With your tour drawing to a close and the buzz, exhilaration and euphoria from your challenging rides topping off a superb week together. The team have arranged one last surprise for your Criterium du Dauphine with a visit to the “Chateau de Ripaille”, former residence of the Dukes of Savoy, including the opportunity for wine tasting of this Chablis region.
