‘Classic’ Fully Supported Road Cycling Breaks in Southern Alps

Big Mountains, Big Cycling – all the support you need

Our Southern French Alps ‘Classic’ package allows you to take on some big rides and some big climbs amid stunning mountain scenery. This trip offers a real Alpine road cycling challenge with a chance to bag an iconic Tour de France climb each day.

On our ‘Classic’ packages we provide vehicle back up support on all your rides, with snacks, drinks etc. and our guides will be there to way-mark routes and assist you throughout.

Back at base we can help you arrange a sports massage therapist – at an additional cost.

If you are short of holiday time, but want to experience this incredible cycling region of the Southern French Alps – then we have the solution!

Our road bike weekends are the most convenient and hassle-free road cycling breaks available and we will ensure that you get 4 days of rewarding and exhilarating riding. We look after everything – just turn up to Geneva airport on Thursday and be ready to ride.

This region does feature a lot of high mountain routes, so is best suited to regular bike riders who have a good level of fitness and want to pit themselves against some big climbs. Ascents to cols can be 20km+ long, which can mean up to 2 hours of climbing, so please make sure you’re ready for the challenge!

The Mountains & Glaciers of Alpe D’Huez and La Grave

This region features regularly in the Tour de France, with good reason – there are numerous thigh-burning climbs which take you to over 2,000 metres. During the 4 days of the long weekend we will be planning to climb the Col de Galibier, Col d’Izoard, Col de Glandon / Croix-Fer and the legendary Alpe d’Huez.

france alps provence view from the summit

Big mountains and deep valleys means not as many linking roads, and thus fewer loop rides than in the Northern Alps. But with the use of our minibuses and full ride support we’re still able to tick of all of the legendary rides and epic climbs.

Some days will be a one-way bike ride out with the option of a minibus lift back to base (unless you’re feeling super fit!).

Rides will be between 60km – 90km and could feature between 2,000 and 3,000 metres of climbing

With our ‘Classic’ package we plan a ride each day and aim to challenge all riders with the best terrain and roads that we know. Our vehicle is with you throughout so helps lighten the load, carrying spare clothes and other gear, and is available on cols for drinks & snacks to keep you fuelled and riding strong.

For this weekend we’re based in the unique mountain village of La Grave – looking across to the towering mountains of La Meije and its impressive Glacier. We never tire of the view from the hotel terrace! Our base is a great bike hotel, very well set up for groups of cyclists, providing a great place to relax after a big day in the saddle and meet keen cyclists from all over the world.

We Maximise Your Time – 4 Days of Alpine Riding over a Long Weekend

Our Classic Southern Alps trip is an awe inspiring road cycling weekend of epic proportions. Your 4 day weekend comes with full vehicle support each day.

Tick-off some legendary Tour de France cols with a challenging and rewarding itinerary designed to make the most of these rugged mountains.

From our base we can ride up or down the valley to access the main climbs and cols. We stay in a very comfortable and friendly Auberge hotel in the traditional high-mountain village of La Grave.

All our weekends are designed to give you the best riding possible in 4 days and to mix challenge with enjoyment. It’s not a training camp; we want you to enjoy the rides and scenery and not just be fixed on the tarmac!

Our ‘Classic’ weekends are designed to give you a varied selection of the best riding to be found in the region. We set a fixed itinerary for rides each day.

Cycling Weekend Itinerary – Classic Cols of the Southern Alps

On each day of a ‘Classic’ cycling weekend break, we’ll head out on the scheduled ride after breakfast at your base.
Lunch (not included in the package) is taken at cafés / restaurants along the ride route.
After each ride, there’ll be time back at base to relax before a 3 course evening meal, with wine included.

Thursday – Arrival
You arrange afternoon / evening flights to Geneva Airport.
Geneva is well served with flights from the UK – see full details on travel options here >>>
Our airport pick-up is at 15:00 – transfer to La Grave is 2.5 to 3 hours.
We’ll be at base in time for dinner; there’ll be time to build bikes / set up hire bikes as well.

Friday – Col d’Izoard ride
Ride from the hotel to the first climb – Col de Lauteret – before dropping into Briançon to start the Col d’Izoard climb. Take in the unique ‘desert’ scenery at 2500m before descending to Briançon. Minibus back to La Grave
Ride distance = 79 km with total climbing of 2181m

Saturday – Col de Galibier ride
A stunning ride taking in both sides of the mighty Col de Galibier which tops out at 2,650 metres. Ride from your base to Lauteret and onto Galibier. Descend to Valloire (for lunch) before tackling Galibier once again.
Ride distance = 72 km with total climbing of 2406m

Sunday – Alpe d’Huez ascent & ‘Balcony’ descent
A world-famous favourite climb… ride from base down to Bourg D’Oisans and ready yourself for the ascent of the 21 hairpins of Alpe D’Huez. We’ll then take the spectacular rural ‘Balcony’ road back before the return climb up to La Grave.
Ride distance = 88 km with total climbing of 2671m

Monday – Col de Glandon – Departure
An early breakfast, before one more epic Tour de France col to ride. You’ll head up and down to the Col de Glandon and Col de la Croix de Fer, over 24km of climbing and a fitting way to finish our big mountain weekend.
Ride distance = 78 km with total climbing of 2227m
At the base of the col, we will pack away bikes, and load up the minibus before departing to Geneva Airport – leaving at 16:00 which will get us to Geneva for 18:00 (so good for flights departing after 20:30)

Please Note
The itinerary outlined is provisional, although it’s a very typical outline of the routes you can ride on a ‘Classic’ break.
On rare occasions, we may have to modify this programme due to weather conditions, group ability, roadworks etc.

Choice of two locations, ideal for the Southern Alps

We are fortunate to be able to choose from two different locations for our ‘Classic’ road cycling trips in the Southern Alps, each with their own advantages. One is in the pretty mountain village of La Grave, the other is in the heart of 6 valleys in Bourg-d’Oisans.

We tend to make our location selection based on the overall group requirements, as well as preferred itinerary. Either way, you will receive a friendly welcome and service, in properties with charming character and comfort, in convenient locations.

Each hotel is very bike-friendly with secure bike storage, a sauna and more. All rooms are en-suite; most of them are 2 person double / twins, plus a few larger rooms which can sleep up to 4 guests.

Both offer great riding direct from the door, and are accessible to the iconic cols made famous by the Tour de France, in addition to spectacular scenery.

Please note that, depending on availability, on some trips we may use other accommodation in the area, and these locations are also chosen as above.

Food and Drink for Cyclists

All Bike Weekender breaks include half board – a hearty breakfast and 3 course evening meal every night.

Breakfast is a continental buffet, served from 0730 each morning to set you up for the day’s riding.

Dinner is freshly prepared by a dedicated chef team, using local produce where possible. Menus are planned with cyclists in mind, and will fill you up with the carbs you need for the next day’s riding. Both hotels are used to feeding cyclists and their teams know what sort of food you need for the next day’s riding.

Service is always friendly and relaxed, and meals are usually served on the outside terrace in summer, weather permitting.

Find out more about each of our accommodation options in the Southern French Alps at Hotel-Auberge Edelweiss, La Grave >>> and Hôtel Des Alpes, Bourg-d’Oisans >>>

Dates and Prices for ‘Classic’ Cycling Breaks – Southern Alps – Summer

Our ‘Classic’ road cycling breaks are available in the Southern French Alps on certain fixed dates each summer, on a Thursday – Monday 4 night basis. These breaks are available to book for individuals, couples or groups of any size.

All prices are per-person, based on 2 guests sharing a room. Contact us for details of single occupancy options.

Start Date	Price
COMING SOON!

NB – We do require a minimum number of 4 people to operate this trip – but once we have reached 4 people then its all confirmed and open. See Dates and Prices for current status.

For groups of 6 people we can look to run this trip on any date. Please contact us to discuss the options.

Bike Weekender ‘Classic’ Packages Include

Ensuite Accommodation at friendly hotel
Airport Transfers from Geneva – meet at 15:00
Airport Transfers to Geneva – depart at 16:00
Half-board – hearty, cyclist-friendly food
Vehicle support on every ride
The support of our professional team

Not Included in the Package Price

Flights to Geneva – arranged independently. See here for full details >>
Bike Hire – quality full-carbon road bike options available. See here for full details >>
Lunches whilst out riding – bought directly at cafes or restaurants
Wine & additional drinks from the bar

Interested in a ‘Classic’ Break in the Northern French Alps?

If you’d like to join one of the dates above, just send through our booking form here… we’ll be in touch by email shortly to confirm your reservation.

For trips on other dates, longer stays, or holidays with a different start / end day format, we can arrange custom road cycling packages for groups of 6 or more. See here for more details of our custom trips for clubs and groups >>>

If you have any questions about any aspect of our road cycling holidays, our package, accommodations or the areas we operate in, just send through an enquiry form here, call us on +44 845 557 5983 or email info@bikeweekender.com