July 6 - 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 7- 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 3000ft climb followed by a 3300ft 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 our de France stage finish on TV.

July 8 - 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 flows 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 9 – Rencurel - 61mi, 4800ft, or 84mi, 6500ft
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 10 - 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 ride. 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 11 - Rencurel - Loop Rides, - 41mi, 6000ft (Gorges du Nan) or 48mi, 5800ft (Combe Laval)
The Vercors has so many wonderful roads to ride on and today we will explore some of the best.  The signature rides of the Vercors will certainly incorporate vertical cliffs and deep gorges, routes that are so scenic that it remains a mystery that there is little to no traffic on these roads.  The Gorges du Nan ride is best done with one of the guides, the route finding is tricky as it climbs high into the forest above Rencurel and descends through the Gorges du Nan. After climbing back up the steep hills, we descend the cliffs high above the Gorges de la Bourne, and then climb back to the hotel up the gorge.  The other ride descends the Gorges de la Bourne and climbs the Combe Laval, one of the most outstanding cliff roads in the Vercors.

July 12 – Chichilliane - 67mi, 5800ft or 88mi, 8300ft
Today we 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. If you didn’t see them yesterday the amazing vertical cliffs of the Combe Laval are accessible on the long route.  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 13 - Venosc - 62mi, 4100ft, or 72mi, 6000ft
Starting the day at an elevation of 3300ft 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 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 roads made famous by the Tour de France.  Our hotel is a country chateau, located up a small mountain valley in the village of Venosc.

July 14 - Venosc - 31mi, 3500ft, or 52mi, 6500ft
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. 

July 15 – Venosc -  24mi, 2800ft, or 33mi, 3500ft
The mountain passes around le Bourg d’Oisans are some of the most cycled in Europe, however, two of the most beautiful cycling routes in the area are hardly ridden at all.  The easiest of these two amazing rides is to continue up the Vénéon Valley, from the hotel, to the end at la Barade.  We are surrounded by the Massif des Ecrins, containing some of the highest mountains in the Alps.  Or, head to le Bourg d’Oisans and take the tiny cliff hugging road up the mountain, opposite l’Alpe d’Huez.  Here, there is no traffic, car or bike, yet this is one of the most spectacular climbs (and descents) anywhere in Europe.  At the Col de Saulude there is an amazing view across the valley at the fabled 21 switchbacks of l’Alpe d’Huez.
Do both routes for a total of 57mi, and 6300ft.

July 16 - Albertville, 79mi, 5800ft or 88mi, 10,800ft
This is certainly the most challenging day of our tour as we tackle two big Tour de France climbs.  The first, the Col du Glandon is up a long beautiful valley, and a short side trip takes us to the Col de la Croix de Fer.  The views from here are some of the best in the Alpes.  Our end-of-the-day destination is mostly all down-valley from here, and one could easily be tempted to head straight to our wonderful hotel in Albertville and relax 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. However, anyone desiring a grand 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 most  every year on the Tour route (except this year), and it is also always one of the most difficult climbs at 5000ft vertical gain.  Two small restaurants at the top can provide a delicious lunch (fettuccine alfredo) and a much-needed rest, before coasting down the long descent to Albertville.

July 17 - Albertville, - loop ride, 55mi, 6000ft
The 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.  A great option either before or after the Cormet is to climb the Col du Joly, slightly higher than the Roselend, and with impressive views of the nearby Mont Blanc.  This extra climb adds 30mi and 4200ft for a total of 85mi, and 10,200ft.  This is really well worth the extra effort.

July 18   - Talloires - 56mi, 3300ft, or 65mi, 7600ft
After 13 miles of rolling (up and) down the Isère river valley, we ascend the Col du Frene to a series of high mountain valleys. The beautiful meadows, the majestic mountain peaks, the rolling farmlands, the little villages, and the small winding roads, presents some of the most idyllic cycling anywhere. The final descent (one of the tours best) brings us to Lac d’Annecy, one of the prettiest mountain regions in Europe. Today’s harder option follows a common Tour de France route as it climbs the scenic Col des Saisies and Col des Arivis, before climbing the Col de la Croix Fry and then descending to Talloires.  The Col de la Forclaz with its spectacular views of Lake Annecy and the surrounding mountains, adds 20 miles and 3300ft.  Our wonderful 4 star hotel, an old converted abbey, is situated on the shore of Lake Annecy in the village of Talloires.

July 19– Ferney Voltaire - 55mi, 2500ft-or-72mi, 4500ft
In store for our last day of riding are rolling pastures, small villages, gentle climbs and descents, cliff side roads, beautiful valleys, and great mountain vistas; similar to the experiences from the last two, long and perhaps challenging, weeks in the Alps. The long route includes a climb up Mont Salève.  There are great views of the Alps and Mont Blanc to the east and the Jura Mountains to the west.  Our farewell dinner tonight at the hotel will be an opportunity to exchange stories, talk over our triumphs and adventures, and ponder how we’ll ever get back into the hometown routine!

July 20 – Departure Van transport is provided to the Geneva airport.