Womens French Alps Cycling Tour
Womens Cycling Tour French Alps
Alpine Cols With Lots Of Fun
The French Alps is a highlight for everyone who rides a bike, with our Womens cycling tour its taken to the next level.
With Practice Bicycle Tours you expect fully guided quality rides, unique group cycling skills, individual support and the tailored challenge. With a life time of cycling experience Bridget (Owner/Operator) has a love of cycling waiting to share with you, whether your ‘looking at the trees’ or ‘looking at the Alps’ it’s spectacular fun all the way.
Unpack Once & Cycle Everyday with your Womens cycling tour comprising a selection of the best bike rides of your life all from your Hotel each morning in the beautiful town of Annecy. Bridget Evans first challenged the French Alps in 1998 and soon discovered why she called it her ‘Cycling Paradise’. Now its your turn to find your cycling paradise as she shares the journey with you. Spectacular French Alps bike rides ridden together at the perfect pace, with a cycling story around every corner. Sometimes these stories can take your breath away as much as the unbelievable panoramic sights or your effort on the pedals.
Tailored Womens Cycling Tour
With the town of Annecy nestled at the base of the Northern Alps, you expect to find it surrounded by famous Tour de France Cols. That’s true they come in all shapes and sizes and your going to experience the perfect climbs tailored to your cycling ability. It’s more than only Cols, its about enjoying the moment together, the challenge on the bike and also the cafe and patisserie off the bike.
From Col de Leschaux (900m) to the Col de l’Epine (947m), from valley roads to country roads a selection of unique ride routes discovered by Bridget, tailored to you today as she rides by your side as you too discover yourself in cycling paradise with this French Alps Womens cycling tour.
Challenging Fully Guided Bike Rides
You’re not on this cycling tour to tick boxes in the French Alps or get left behind. It’s not necessary to tick the box because there are to many cols to tick and our unique skill set is what sets us apart when it comes to group riding. With Bridget’s experienced legs pedaling by your side and the complete support of the professional team with over 20 years of coaching and cycling knowledge. Experience the difference with the ultimate fully guided womens cycling tour.
Looking for easier bike rides?
Take a look at our Luxury Lake Annecy Bike Tour with comfortable rides each day and hidden gem restaurant lunch stops!
Tour Type 
Women Bike Tour
Activity Level
Challenging – From 70 km to 100 km/day
Available Packages
Gold: 4* Hotel accommodation,
$2246 per person
Silver: 3* Hotel accommodation,
$1981 per person
Bronze: 2* Hotel accommodation,
$1766 per person
Or make it custom, from $2066 per person
Season
May – September
Location
Annecy, France
Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
Group Size
2 to 6 people
Optional Extras
Single room – $495
Bike hire – $500
Unpack Once, Cycle Everyday
The Perfect Cycling Destination for Alpine Cols
Since Bridget Evans (Owner/Operator) very first visit to the French Alps in 1998 she new this was the perfect cycling destination to enjoy Cycling in the French Alps.
Your cycling holiday does not have to be spent isolated on the side of a mountain to have fun in the French Alps. These Northern alpine cols are easily accessed from Geneva Airport. Offering the unique balance of the perfect stay in the town of Annecy with your cycling in the French Alps vacation.
Magnificent days spent cycling in tranquility with breathtaking scenery around every corner, with the luxury of returning to the chic town of Annecy to relax and enjoy everything that this “little pearl in the box” has to offer. Your very own “petit Paris” whilst on a cycling holiday with a difference.
After more than a few frustrating rides trying to get Garmin & Google Maps to play nice on unfamiliar roads in a different country, we decided to give guided tours a go for my 50th birthday holiday on Lake Annecy. What we found was a pure gem of a company in Practice Bicycle. Paul and Bridget are true professionals with decades of riding and racing experience (just Google Bridget’s palmares). They asked what kind of rides we wanted in terms of the terrain and time in the saddle and then all we had to do was enjoy the days. We rode on beautiful, low traffic rolling farm roads through gorgeous Alpine countryside at the perfect pace for both of us. Knowing the roads so well, PB gave us the option of coffee stops and we were also able to snap a few great photos of us along the way. We highly recommend them and will certainly call on them again!
M. Ferro – USA
Dates
We run our Womens French Alps Cycling Tours between May and September. Below are all our scheduled small-group weeks for this fun cycling vacation.
2020
Looking for a custom Womens French Alps cycling experience?
If you or your group of ladies want a tailored cycling week, don’t hesitate to contact us about arranging a Custom Womens French Alps Cycling Vacation!
Favorites of the French Alps Itinerary
Challenging French Alps bike rides each day of 70 – 110 km / 68 mi suitable for regular riders who are looking to climb.
French Alps Arrival Day - Col de l’Epine (947m) Bike Tour
Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 75km/47mi
Ascent 770m/2500ft
ARRIVAL TIME: Midday
Welcome to your Favourites of the French Alps cycling vacation.
Check in to your Hotel and unpack ready for a memorable week of cycling together. If you’re not feeling overly tired or you have been in France for a day or two it’s a good idea to check out the bikes and enjoy the fresh mountain air of the French Alps with our get to know each other ride.
It’s one of the most beautiful views of any bike ride on earth riding by the side of the spectacular turquoise waters of Lake Annecy. We’ll soon turn onto the slopes of the Col de l´Epine (947m 7km @ average 7%) it’s hidden among the trees and zig zags up the side of the valley into the Alps. We like this Col because you feel hidden almost like you have disappeared whist your climbing, the truth is you can see everything, with amazing views all the way to the top. These views are priceless and a reason many of us Practice Bicycle today.
Once at the summit It’s easy to think we’re lost, we’re never lost, we just loose ourselves! Welcome to Bridget’s Favourites of the French Alps.
Rhone River Bike Tour
Epic Ride Route:
Distance 110km/68mi
Ascent 1350m/4400ft
Bridget’s favourite ride routes come in all shapes and sizes or should we say all distances and variety of terrain. One thing is certain some will be your favourites also! The Rhone River bike tour takes you on a big loop away from the Grand Alps to explore the edge of the pre-Alps. Mostly all downhill for the first 30km and a wonderful way to start the day. Once we are riding by the Rhone River, we’ll take a café stop in the town of Seyssel, the ideal place to refuel before we push on with this great endurance ride. We could ride these traffic free roads all day as we arrive at our crossing point over the Rhone at the Barrage-de-Genissiat we better head back otherwise we could end up in Switzerland.
We haven’t ridden over any major col’s on this tour route, although we have seen them in every direction. After years of discovering these roads you can appreciate with Bridget how you will accomplish a lot of work together on these favourite roads.
Distance 110km/68mi
Ascent 1350m/4400ft
Bridget’s favourite ride routes come in all shapes and sizes or should we say all distances and variety of terrain. One thing is certain some will be your favourites also! The Rhone River bike tour takes you on a big loop away from the Grand Alps to explore the edge of the pre-Alps. Mostly all downhill for the first 30km and a wonderful way to start the day. Once we are riding by the Rhone River, we’ll take a café stop in the town of Seyssel, the ideal place to refuel before we push on with this great endurance ride. We could ride these traffic free roads all day as we arrive at our crossing point over the Rhone at the Barrage-de-Genissiat we better head back otherwise we could end up in Switzerland.
We haven’t ridden over any major col’s on this tour route, although we have seen them in every direction. After years of discovering these roads you can appreciate with Bridget how you will accomplish a lot of work together on these favourite roads.
Cruseilles Bike Tour
Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 70km/43mi
Ascent 920m/3000ft
The legs might be humming a little this morning after yesterday’s Rhone River bike tour. It’s only to be expected and another reason that Practice Bicycle know the French Alps and Bridget specializes in tailoring the fully guided Womens French Alps bike tour experience just for you.
Today it’s an adventure into the rolling roads of this ‘Cycling Paradise’ small country roads ridden at the perfect pace, your pace. Crossing the medieval suspension bridge of Les Ponts de la Caille, we can take a café break together in the town of Cruseilles.
These great cycling roads are like a spiders web, with tiny lanes shooting off in all directions, local knowledge is everything to ensure everyday is a great day when riding in the French Alps. Passing among the fruit growing farms this loop keeps you completely focused on the ever-changing landscape.
Could this be your favourite landscape too?
Distance 70km/43mi
Ascent 920m/3000ft
The legs might be humming a little this morning after yesterday’s Rhone River bike tour. It’s only to be expected and another reason that Practice Bicycle know the French Alps and Bridget specializes in tailoring the fully guided Womens French Alps bike tour experience just for you.
Today it’s an adventure into the rolling roads of this ‘Cycling Paradise’ small country roads ridden at the perfect pace, your pace. Crossing the medieval suspension bridge of Les Ponts de la Caille, we can take a café break together in the town of Cruseilles.
These great cycling roads are like a spiders web, with tiny lanes shooting off in all directions, local knowledge is everything to ensure everyday is a great day when riding in the French Alps. Passing among the fruit growing farms this loop keeps you completely focused on the ever-changing landscape.
Could this be your favourite landscape too?
Col du Frene (950m) Bike Tour
Epic Ride Route:
Distance 125km/78mi
Ascent 1250m/4100ft
This is a big one and our longest day on the bike together during the Favourites of the French Alps itinerary.
If Bridget’s favourites are a little tough for your cycling, you can always pick the less challenging Taste of the Alps itinerary.
You will feel like your riding your own Tour de France stage with this huge loop, if your like Bridget she prefers the continuous ride route rather than the out and back on the same roads. The first half of today’s loop is mostly flat, valley floors all the way to Albertville. We’ll have to stop here to refuel at one of our favourite Tea shops and I’m sure we can squeeze in one of Christophe’s amazing macaroons to keep our legs turning!
The next section of our loop is passing through the Savoie vineyards and these roads are perfect for tempo riding together before we arrive at the base of our days climbing challenge. It’s time for the small chainring and the Col du Frene (950m 9.6km @ average 6.9%), climbing alpine cols is about correct rhythm, technique and focus.
Discover this and every climb is fun with Bridget and Practice Bicycle tours.
Distance 125km/78mi
Ascent 1250m/4100ft
This is a big one and our longest day on the bike together during the Favourites of the French Alps itinerary.
If Bridget’s favourites are a little tough for your cycling, you can always pick the less challenging Taste of the Alps itinerary.
You will feel like your riding your own Tour de France stage with this huge loop, if your like Bridget she prefers the continuous ride route rather than the out and back on the same roads. The first half of today’s loop is mostly flat, valley floors all the way to Albertville. We’ll have to stop here to refuel at one of our favourite Tea shops and I’m sure we can squeeze in one of Christophe’s amazing macaroons to keep our legs turning!
The next section of our loop is passing through the Savoie vineyards and these roads are perfect for tempo riding together before we arrive at the base of our days climbing challenge. It’s time for the small chainring and the Col du Frene (950m 9.6km @ average 6.9%), climbing alpine cols is about correct rhythm, technique and focus.
Discover this and every climb is fun with Bridget and Practice Bicycle tours.
St Jean de Sixt Bike Tour
Epic Ride Route:
Distance 90km/56mi
Ascent 1400m/4600ft
If our legs were humming a couple of days ago, this morning they may still be buzzing after our epic ride route together yesterday. With last night’s recovery, stretching, dinner and sleep, the one perfect location comes into its own league.
Every moment of your Womens French Alps Cycling Tour is focused on quality bike riding and adequate time for relaxation and recovery. It’s how we take ourselves to the next level of cycling.
Don’t worry about the humming legs, it happens to all of us. Small chainring start to the day, comfortable tempo, chatting and looking at the Alps and before we now it we’re back in the groove together.
Bridget added this route into her favourites of the French Alps, because it’s based on a Cyclo-Sportive event that she often used in her preparations for bigger goals later in the year. Enjoy this amazing ride into the Grand Alps as you will be riding on the same roads as the famous Tour de France.
Distance 90km/56mi
Ascent 1400m/4600ft
If our legs were humming a couple of days ago, this morning they may still be buzzing after our epic ride route together yesterday. With last night’s recovery, stretching, dinner and sleep, the one perfect location comes into its own league.
Every moment of your Womens French Alps Cycling Tour is focused on quality bike riding and adequate time for relaxation and recovery. It’s how we take ourselves to the next level of cycling.
Don’t worry about the humming legs, it happens to all of us. Small chainring start to the day, comfortable tempo, chatting and looking at the Alps and before we now it we’re back in the groove together.
Bridget added this route into her favourites of the French Alps, because it’s based on a Cyclo-Sportive event that she often used in her preparations for bigger goals later in the year. Enjoy this amazing ride into the Grand Alps as you will be riding on the same roads as the famous Tour de France.
Arith Bike Tour
Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 65km/40mi
Ascent 860m/2800ft
We can’t get enough cycling together with our Womens Cycling Tours, although we certainly keep trying. We make new friends and discover new levels of our own cycling ability when we experience these great cycling adventures.
Let’s enjoy one more of Bridget’s ride routes with your Favourites of the French Alps itinerary and a route around the famous mountain of Semnoz. This area surrounding the forest mountain has an unbelievable network of roads that are perfect for cycling. We can’t say we leave the most favourite ride until last because they are all our favourites and undoubtedly they will be your favourite rides also.
The views on our return to Annecy are a priceless way to complete our cycling tour and no picture can appreciate these panoramic images better than with your own eyes, smile and laugh together in the French Alps one more time.
Distance 65km/40mi
Ascent 860m/2800ft
We can’t get enough cycling together with our Womens Cycling Tours, although we certainly keep trying. We make new friends and discover new levels of our own cycling ability when we experience these great cycling adventures.
Let’s enjoy one more of Bridget’s ride routes with your Favourites of the French Alps itinerary and a route around the famous mountain of Semnoz. This area surrounding the forest mountain has an unbelievable network of roads that are perfect for cycling. We can’t say we leave the most favourite ride until last because they are all our favourites and undoubtedly they will be your favourite rides also.
The views on our return to Annecy are a priceless way to complete our cycling tour and no picture can appreciate these panoramic images better than with your own eyes, smile and laugh together in the French Alps one more time.
French Alps Departure Day
DEPARTURE TIME: Midday
Departure Day and Its unfortunately time for your Womens French Alps Cycling Tour adventures to draw to an end.
Departure Day and Its unfortunately time for your Womens French Alps Cycling Tour adventures to draw to an end.
Practice Bicycle Tours wish you ‘Bon Voyage’, safe cycling until we PRACTICE BICYCLE together again
Each of your challenging rides during your Womens French Alps Cycling Tour will be tailored specifically to your goals and your level of fitness, so every ride will be the best ride of your life.
This Favourites of the French Alps itinerary offers an amazing selection of ride routes suitable for the regular experienced women cyclist. Offering a combination of amazing rides and climbing each day with distances ranging from between 65km/40mi to 125km /77mi.
With Bridget Evans and the Practice Bicycle Team riding these wonderful roads since 1998 the ride options are endless with this Womens French Alps cycling holiday. If Bridget’s ‘Favourites of the French Alps’ itinerary is a little to demanding, we also have our ‘Taste of the Alps’ itinerary with 65 km/40 mi – 75km/47mi ride distances each day.
This cycling tour does not include vehicle support/transfers to maintain the greatest value and flexibility to all our cycling guests. Should you require a support vehicle for each days ride, then this can be arranged as an Optional Extra, please contact us for further information.
With Bridget and the team having over 20 years’ experience of riding the amazing network of French Alps cycling roads. Not only do we plan the perfect week of French Alps cycling we also have a unique skill set and unparalleled local knowledge of the roads which allows for the flexibility to alter or shorten ride routes should it be required.
If you prefer a more relaxed, luxury cycling holiday including vehicle support and restaurant lunches, take a look at our Womens Lake Annecy Bike Tours
The Womens French Alps Tours have a selection of quality, 2*, 3* or 4* Hotels available to make your stay in the town of Annecy the perfect cycling week.
With all modern amenities within walking distance of your hotel the town of Annecy is also known as the ‘Baby Paris’ perfect for all your recovery and relaxation needs during your womens cycling tour.
Our Womens French Alps Cycling Tours are located in the ideal cycling destination and the the most beautiful place in France, the town of Annecy. The closest and most convenient airport is Geneva International Airport (Switzerland), which is only a short transfer to Annecy. See transfer options below;
Air Travel: The two most convenient airports to Annecy are, Geneva Airport (Switzerland) a 45min transfer and Lyon Airport (France) 1.15hrs transfer.
Both these airports are serviced by many International carriers and low cost European airlines.
Bus Travel: Public bus transport operates between the airports and Annecy alternatively convenient Taxi and Private transfer services are available.
Car Travel: Many worldwide Car Rental companies are also available and the A41 French Autoroute network will bring you directly to Annecy.
The Womens cycling tour routes are a pick of the best and some of Bridget’s favorite bike rides in the French Alps suitable for experienced women cyclist who wish to enjoy the challenge of cycling in the French Alps. Experience counts for everything in this amazing part of the cycling world with our itineraries designed, proven and tailored for your ultimate cycling holiday.
Take a look at the detailed itinerary above for what is waiting for you.
Practice Bicycle Tours have over 20 years of French Alps cycling experience, developing an incredible 100+ ride routes exploring in every direction a life time of the very best bike rides ready to share with you.
If you or your group are looking for a Custom French Alps Bike Tour we specialize in tailoring the best cycling experience of your life, Get in touch today!
‘Unpack Once, Cycle Everyday’
The one location bike tour experience is the brain child of Bridget Evans (Owner/Operator). On retiring from professional cycling it was the pure pleasure of cycling that evolved the proven Practice Bicycle philosophy of one location. Including everything enjoyable and removing the less pleasurable is our goal of your perfect cycling holiday experience.
Packing and Unpacking each day was tiring, stressful and time consuming. With insufficient time to relax, enjoy and experience the place before it was time to move on again.
With a life spent discovering the very best locations to Practice Bicycle, including the discovery of endless ride options exploring in every direction from the one perfect location.
Experience the very best cycling of your life when you Unpack Once, Cycle Everyday!
Paul Hughes and Bridget Evans operate Practice Bicycle Tours and have significant experience at the highest levels of international cycling, with over 20 years riding on the roads of the French Alps ready to share with you.
This team has extensive coaching knowledge & experience of all cycling ability levels and age groups including teams at professional elite racing level. In addition Owner Bridget Evans a very accomplished bike rider in her own right offers a wealth of cycling knowledge acquired as a professional bike rider on the world tour for over 10 years competing in many prestigious international races with great success.
These unique skills ensure that each of your daily rides make for the perfect cycling in the French Alps experience.
Your ‘Womens French Alps Cycling Tour’ includes:
Womens French Alps Tour Highlights:
