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FAQ's and Details
French Pyrenees - Tour Dates: Wednesday 27th August 2025 to Wednesday 3rd September 2025
French Alps - Tour Dates: Sunday 7th September 2025 to Sunday 14th September 2025
What is the 7 day riding itinerary?
There will be 7 days of cycling; 4 days will include one of the "iconic climbs" as part of the days ride, one day of orientation and preparation and one day is a non ride day.
Example itinerary, subject to change as needed., and as per the destination.
DAY 1 Arrive, welcome & rider briefing
DAY 2
Flat ride
DAY 3
Alpe d’Huez
DAY 4
Col du Galibier
DAY 5
Non Ride Day - Tour
DAY 6
Lacets de Montvernier
DAY 7
Col de la Croix de Fer
DAY 8
Depart est 9.00am
How fit do I have to be?
You should be able to comfortably ride 70kms, with climbing and be able to ride for more than half a day. The days of climbs are expected to be 50-80kms and 4-7 hours, including rest stops. This will challenge you, have no doubt, the French Alps and the Pyrenees are famous for challenging climbs. While you might be keen to beat a strava time, we aim to ride at a "group pace" and none of the rides are a race. Your ride leader (me) will ride amongst the group, supporting each rider to the top.
What speed do you ride?The riding speed is determined by the group, however, we will always ride as a group (normally climbing at 10-11 km/h depending on the % grade) so the ride leader will ensure that we stay together or at a manageable distance from each other at all times. A manageable distance is one that all riders are capable of keeping up and rejoining the group to enjoy the ride. Whether it be a mountain road or a flatter day, the rides are completed as one group and you are expected to be able to ride in a small group, however it’s not, nor will ever be, a race. Whilst you are expected to be fit enough to ride with a bunch, you are equally expected to remain in the bunch!The tours run with a focus on cyclists who want to enjoy the experience and the surrounds, rather than those who want to ‘race’ their bike or beat personal records. The ride leader will always be nearby and encouraging everyone to stay together and look around! You can’t miss this experience!
What if I can't/don't want to finish a ride? Some of the rides will have vehicle support so you can opt to finish at any point and transfer back with the vehicle support. What is the weather like in the Alps in September? It is autumn in France in September. The weather is generally quite stable and ideal cycling temperatures. You should however bring adaptable clothing for varying weather, including appropriate layers and wet weather items, and cooler descents. What is included? Please see the "inclusions page" for full price and inclusion details. If you have any more questions please contact us. What do we do when we are not riding? There are no set activities outside of the rides. Your non riding time is free time, however the provided meals will be at set times. There will be no vehicles available for guest use. Don't forget your bathers so you can use the pool at either destination! Transfers All transfers will be to/from Grenoble or Lourdes train station . You will be required to make your own way to this point. All guests will be picked up and dropped off at the same time. This time will be determined by the guest arrival and departure times. You should aim for your bookings to have you arrive into Grenoble/Lourdes train station on the arrival date around 10:00am to Noon and depart on the last day of the tour after midday. I personally transfer you, your bags and your bike if you have one (one bike per guest) to/from that transfer location. If you plan to travel before or after the tour and are joining us from another location, that is fine if you don't require transfers to/from Grenoble or Lourdes. However, you will need to make your own arrangements for arrival and departure at Le Bourg-d'Oisans or Cami di Bidale. Hire bikes There are a number of hire bike shops in Le Bourg-d'Oisans and Lourdes, if you would prefer to hire a bike rather than transport your bike with you. You will need to make your own arrangements for this. Let me know if you would like the bike shop contact details. I am unable to pick up any hire bikes, however the ones in Le Bourg-d’Oisans are in close walking proximity to the accommodation, and in Lourdes they deliver the hire bikes to us and collect them. E-bikes An electric bike, or ebike, is a bicycle equipped with an electric bike motor to assist you when you're pedalling. The motor will get its power from a rechargeable battery mounted on the bike. To classify as an ebike, the motor has to help you rather than propel you on its own. E-bikes are welcome on this tour. They are becoming more popular every year, and you can even move onto an E-bike if you think it may be more comfortable toward the end of the tour, if you are hiring a bike locally. E-bike riders are expected to still ride within the group. What do I need to bring? My tour is designed so that you don’t need to worry about much except riding your bike and enjoying the climb up the mountains. I want your experience of cycling in Europe to be both memorable and great fun. Once you arrive at the hotel all you really need to do is unpack and get your cycling gear ready for the next day.
Below is a list of suggestions for you:
PERSONAL ITEMSPassport Photocopies of passport Travel insurance documents (compulsory) Emergency contact number(s)Credit Cards/Travel Money Card Camera/Smartphone + Chargers International SIM Card Euro power adaptor Personal medication
CYCLING CLOTHING2 - 3 knicks (however there is laundry facilities at both destinations) Base layers (undergarment) Cycling Rain Jacket Breathable Wind jacket Arm Warmers Gloves (fingerless and/or full length) Helmet Cycling Shoes Sunglasses Sweatband/Bandanna 2 pairs of socks * Note there are clothes washing facilities at the both properties
Road Bike of course (if you are bringing your bike)Bike Bag/Bike Box Garmin/ Bike Computer Mini Padlocks for Bike Bag Compact gearing 50/34 with a rear cassette of 32-34 Front and rear lights2 water bottles and bottle cagesAny preferred hydration and nutritionBike Pump Spare tubes/Co2 canisters and valve.Multi tool and any other specific parts for your bike *Note there are a couple of bike shops around to purchase spare parts etc
What if I can't/don't want to finish a ride? Some of the rides will have vehicle support so you can opt to finish at any point and transfer back with the vehicle support. What is the weather like in the Alps in September? It is autumn in France in September. The weather is generally quite stable and ideal cycling temperatures. You should however bring adaptable clothing for varying weather, including appropriate layers and wet weather items, and cooler descents. What is included? Please see the "inclusions page" for full price and inclusion details. If you have any more questions please contact us. What do we do when we are not riding? There are no set activities outside of the rides. Your non riding time is free time, however the provided meals will be at set times. There will be no vehicles available for guest use. Don't forget your bathers so you can use the pool at either destination! Transfers All transfers will be to/from Grenoble or Lourdes train station . You will be required to make your own way to this point. All guests will be picked up and dropped off at the same time. This time will be determined by the guest arrival and departure times. You should aim for your bookings to have you arrive into Grenoble/Lourdes train station on the arrival date around 10:00am to Noon and depart on the last day of the tour after midday. I personally transfer you, your bags and your bike if you have one (one bike per guest) to/from that transfer location. If you plan to travel before or after the tour and are joining us from another location, that is fine if you don't require transfers to/from Grenoble or Lourdes. However, you will need to make your own arrangements for arrival and departure at Le Bourg-d'Oisans or Cami di Bidale. Hire bikes There are a number of hire bike shops in Le Bourg-d'Oisans and Lourdes, if you would prefer to hire a bike rather than transport your bike with you. You will need to make your own arrangements for this. Let me know if you would like the bike shop contact details. I am unable to pick up any hire bikes, however the ones in Le Bourg-d’Oisans are in close walking proximity to the accommodation, and in Lourdes they deliver the hire bikes to us and collect them. E-bikes An electric bike, or ebike, is a bicycle equipped with an electric bike motor to assist you when you're pedalling. The motor will get its power from a rechargeable battery mounted on the bike. To classify as an ebike, the motor has to help you rather than propel you on its own. E-bikes are welcome on this tour. They are becoming more popular every year, and you can even move onto an E-bike if you think it may be more comfortable toward the end of the tour, if you are hiring a bike locally. E-bike riders are expected to still ride within the group. What do I need to bring? My tour is designed so that you don’t need to worry about much except riding your bike and enjoying the climb up the mountains. I want your experience of cycling in Europe to be both memorable and great fun. Once you arrive at the hotel all you really need to do is unpack and get your cycling gear ready for the next day.
Below is a list of suggestions for you:
PERSONAL ITEMSPassport Photocopies of passport Travel insurance documents (compulsory) Emergency contact number(s)Credit Cards/Travel Money Card Camera/Smartphone + Chargers International SIM Card Euro power adaptor Personal medication
CYCLING CLOTHING2 - 3 knicks (however there is laundry facilities at both destinations) Base layers (undergarment) Cycling Rain Jacket Breathable Wind jacket Arm Warmers Gloves (fingerless and/or full length) Helmet Cycling Shoes Sunglasses Sweatband/Bandanna 2 pairs of socks * Note there are clothes washing facilities at the both properties
Road Bike of course (if you are bringing your bike)Bike Bag/Bike Box Garmin/ Bike Computer Mini Padlocks for Bike Bag Compact gearing 50/34 with a rear cassette of 32-34 Front and rear lights2 water bottles and bottle cagesAny preferred hydration and nutritionBike Pump Spare tubes/Co2 canisters and valve.Multi tool and any other specific parts for your bike *Note there are a couple of bike shops around to purchase spare parts etc