July 10 - Geneva
Arrive Geneva and transfer by van to our hotel in nearby Ferney-Voltaire. You’ll have the remainder of the day to relax, get settled, assemble your bike, explore the village, or just take a nap. Our get-acquainted dinner is at our hotel tonight, followed by an overview of the tour.

July 11 - Eloise - 46mi, 3500ft-or-68mi, 6000ft
We leave Ferney-Voltaire heading towards the looming Jura Mountains just to the west. The Col de la Faucile awaits anyone wishing to tackle this 3000 ft climb followed by a 3300 ft descent down a beautifully wooded valley. A harder route tackles the rolling hills of the Haut Jura. After a long downhill we cross the Rhone River and climb to the village of Eloise and the first of many wonderful hotels. The remaining afternoon should be spent lounging by the pool and catching up on any needed napping, or of course, watching the stage finish on TV.

July 12 - Champagneux - 54mi 3000ft or 70mi, 6500ft
The Rhone River heads south to the Mediterranean as it negotiates the western edge of the Alps and cuts through the high mountains on either side. This is the most beautiful section of the Rhone River, and is along the route to our hotel at Champagneux. Lunch is a must at the flower-adorned village of Chanaz, where you can watch boats make their way lazily up and down the Canal de Savières. Here the more adventurous can climb the Mont de la Charvaz and the Col du Chat, above France’s largest lake, Lac du Bourget. From this ridge, the views of the lake and the high Alps to the east are magnificent. For the wine lovers, we can climb to a secluded vineyard covered valley and perhaps have a tasting of these little known, northern Rhone wines. The Col de la Crusille or Mt. Tournnie will provide one last climb to crown the day.  Our hotel is a true country inn with a very reputable restaurant. Dinner will be served on the terrace.

July 13 – Rencurel - 61mi, 4800ft, or 76mi, 6200ft, or 90mi, 8000ft
We will spend the morning meandering through quaint villages, pretty valleys, and riding over meadow-clad hills of the Col des Mille Martyrs; but the afternoon presents a true challenge. We are faced with the vertical walls surrounding the Vercors region. Time and water have shaped these high limestone cliffs leaving us few options to enter this well protected area. The only roads leading into the Vercors are chiseled into vertical cliffs and along deep gorges. The ease of defending these roads is why this area was the center of the French Resistance. Our route climbs the sheer cliff face below the Col de Romeyère before dropping to Rencurel. Surrounded by meadows and steep cliffs, our hotel in Rencurel has one of the most beautiful settings imaginable.

July 14 - Rencurel - Rest Day or Loop Ride, 18 mi, 1800ft –or- 31mi, 3000ft
The Vercors, now a Parc Natural Regional, is so spectacular and unique that it’s tempting to try and cycle every road of the 40x25 mile area. However this is a rest day, so our route is easy. An alternate longer route follows a section of the 2004 “Tour” route up a tiny road through a remote section of the Vercors.  After a leisurely lunch in Villard, we will descend to our hotel through one of the most amazing gorges you will ever have the pleasure to cycle. The Gorge de la Bourne is a deep dark gorge where the roads are carved into the lower sides of cliffs so high that sunlight is minimal - making it difficult to take photos of this amazing place. Or do nothing more than soak up the sun’s rejuvenating rays, lounging by the pool.

July 15 – Chichilliane - 67mi, 5800ft or 88mi, 8300ft
After yesterday’s rest (???), we are ready to head out on one of the most amazing rides of the entire trip. Some gentle climbing and descending will take us to the top of the Grands Goulets, where the gorge is so narrow that hardly any sunlight comes through, surrounding us in a cool shaded world of mossy rock walls dripping with delicate ferns and tiny waterfalls. The long route continues on to the amazing vertical cliffs of the Comb Laval.  A gentle climb up to the Col de Rousset brings us to a stunning view to the valley below. The many switchbacks of the long gradual descent lie before us like a ribbon carelessly strewn from the hillside to the valley floor in the distance below us. We are entering the northern edge of Provence and we will see a few brilliant purple fields of lavender on our way into the village of Die.  After a lunch of Provencal specialties, we must climb the Col de Menée. A short descent brings us to our hotel, an old castle, nestled beneath the looming vertical walls of Mont Aiguille. After the long day on the bike, we will certainly want to spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing by the pool.

July 16 - Le Bourg d’Oisans - 54mi, 4100ft, or 64mi, 6000ft
Starting the day at an elevation of 3300 ft means that we have an easy, mostly downhill ride to Mens and our first patisserie stop of the day. Alas, roads that go down must go back up, and down and up again, before we reach la Mure. This is a busy, bustling, town and a good stop for more pastries or lunch; the big mountains of the Alps lie ahead. The long route includes a loop along the steep cliffs of the Corniche du Drac.  The Col d’Ornon is an easy introduction to the alpine peaks waiting for us, and the descent into le Bourg d’Oisans will give us good look at what the coming days will bring. The village will be packed end to end with cyclists eagerly cycling all the famous roads while waiting for the coming Tour de France. Our hotel is in the center of town directly across from the local bike shop, where the pro jerseys will be selling like crispy creams on a Sunday morning.  Dinner will be on our own tonight, with many small restaurants from which to choose.

July 17 - Le Bourg d’Oisans - 16mi, 3000ft, or 36mi, 6000ft
Le Bourg d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez is probably the most famous stretch of cycling road in the world. This is cycling Mecca, as cyclists from all over Europe (and the US) come here to watch the “Tour”, as well as ride these roads made legendary by the heroes of the Tour de France. In 1997, Pantani set a record of 36 minutes from the base of the climb to the finish at L’ Alpe d’Huez.  So here is your opportunity to test your skills against the best of the pros. As you climb the 21 numbered switchbacks, you will have no trouble recognizing the names of cycling heroes written all over the road like some giant billboard. After lunch in the village, descend back to the hotel, or continue over the Col de Sarenne, a most beautiful route including a spectacular traverse along the cliffs 2000 feet above the valley below.  Two other beautiful options include the Veneon Valley (36mi, 3300ft) or the Villard-Notra-Dame loop above town, with spectacular views across the valley to the 21 switchbacks of le Alpe d’Huez (18mi, 3000ft).  Dinner will be on our own tonight.

July 18 – Le Bourg d’Oisans - Tour de France race day
This is the big day, the 15^th stage of the Tour de France, starting in Gap and finishing in the ski village of le Alpe d’Huez.  This is one of the harder stages and with the finishing climb being the most famous of all the Tour climbs, it should be the most exciting competition of the tour.  And we will be there on the mountain watching it all happen.  As we cycle to our viewing point we will be cheered and urged on by the more than 500,000 avid cycling fans lining the 21 switchbacks.  This will certainly be a day not to be forgotten.  Dinner will be on our own again tonight.  

July 19 - Valloire (Verneys)- 38mi, 6300ft, or 68mi, 10,000ft – Tour de France race day
We leave the bustle and excitement of Bourg d’Oisans and head for the biggest climb of our tour, the Col du Galibier.  At 8700 feet elevation, this will also be the biggest climb in the Tour de France as they tackle the climb later in the day.  Taking advantage of closed roads, we have a gradual, 24-mile, 4300-foot, climb (average of 3.5%) to the Col du Lautaret.  A bite to eat and a quick rest are in order as the final five miles and 2000 feet of climbing up the Col du Galibier averages 8%, plus the Tour will be arriving soon.  The road will be lined with cars, vans and trailers and people will have staked out their positions waiting for the arrival of the Tour de France.  Crowd restraining barriers will be in place near the top, fans will be painting names of their heroes on the pavement and the buzz of excitement and anticipation will fill the air as the “Tour” party continues.  From the top we can coast to our hotel in Verneys where we can watch the race finish on TV.  The long route climbs the cols Glandon, Croix de Fe, Mollard, and Telegraphe, all on today’s tour route.  This is a very tough route, made more difficult by the passage of the tour parade.

July 20 - Albertville - 53mi, 1400ft or 65mi, 5400ft, Tour de France race day
Our end-of-the-day destination is mostly down-valley, and one could easily be tempted to head straight to Albertville and relax by the pool, or stroll the streets and do a little shopping/sightseeing. This route is on a small road through forests and past farms, with tiny villages along the way.  Also, this is the general route that the Tour race will take, leaving St Jean at noon, on its way to Morzine.  However, anyone desiring a really big challenge can add the Col de la Madeleine to the day’s route. The Madeleine is probably the most climbed pass in recent tour history, as it appears every year on the route (except this year), and it is also always one off the hardest climbs at 5000 vertical feet.  Two small restaurants at the top can provide a delicious lunch (fettuccini alfredo) and a much-needed rest, before coasting down the long descent to Albertville.

July 21 – Albertville - rest day, or 27mi, 1650ft, or Cormet de Roselend loop, 55mi, 6000ft
Our short optional ride to Beaufort is a gentle climb up a lush farming valley. This alpine village is a must stop for pastry and coffee, plus a tour of the cheese factory where the well-known Beaufort cheese is made. If you continue on from here, the real climbing soon begins, but what a rich reward you’ll have. The lower section consists of switchbacks through a cool forest; higher on the climb it opens up with immense views of lakes and rocky peaks in the distance. Lunch is available at a small hut below the summit; the fare is simple but the ambiance makes our meal a five-star experience. The short climb up the Col du Pre is rewarded with great views of Mont Blanc and one of the best descents of the trip.