Our tour begins with a pick up at Lyon Airport at 1000. If you are already in France then meet us at our team hotel at 1100.

On arrival Pat and Phil will help you set up your bikes and with the introductions over we will have a spot of lunch and get ready for our traditional welcome ride.

It will be a hilly start to this tour, we are in the Alpes but there are no real mountains to speak of for our first small ride and we will be greeted with some wonderful views.

Ride done, a bit of recovery and it’s time to join us for another tradition, our first meal.

We are going to hit the Alpes and the Tour de France riding today with a big day of climbing.  Expect elevation gains of 3500m and Tour de France roadside experience.

Our goal is to see the peloton pass over the Col de Porte on the picturesque Chartreuse Plateau. Phil has long loved this area for riding and training and has selected a small road that will take us to our spectating position via the Col du Coq.  This is a spectacular ride and though there are some Tour de France time limitations it will be a ride to enjoy.

We will rest roadside, indulge in Le Tour and return to our hotel on our bikes.

Our ride today will take us from home to and up the Lacettes du Monvernier.  A sensational pass that was only introduced to Le Tour a couple of years ago.

We intend to watch the stage as the peloton ascend the 2000m Col de Madeleine and while we have over 3500m of elevation to get into our legs today spare a thought for the pro’s who are racing up these Cols. There are 2 ride options of course on such a big day and there will be time to recover, snoozing under a tree roadside as we wait for the pro’s. 

A sensational day of riding and spectating at the 2020 Tour de France, Alpes edition.

Another big ride day looms as one would expect when riding in the Alps, coupled with spectating what will be a sensational stage at the Tour de France 

We present 2 ride choices, really it depends on your legs as there is more riding and climbing to come in the following day’s. We will leave our base today with a long gentle warm up before we start the ascent of the Col des Saisies, our spectating destination. Either ride option does include some significant elevation gains, each options takes us to the top where we wait for the stage to pass before descending to our support vans and driving home.

Forgoing the Tour de France today we have a journey of our own.  The Alpe d’Huez is a mountain that needs to be climbed and today you can put your race face on and give this climb your best shot without the pressure of the Tour de France.

It will be busy on the mountain with thousands of other riders pitting themselves against the slope, counting the bends until the top.

Depending on how you are feeling you can start close to the base or take the longer option of riding from home.  It is a spectacular road and the descent via the cliff top road to Villard Reculas even more so.

At day’s end we will return to catch up with the race over a well deserved ale or wine.

We have become a little used to the French was of doing things, rising a little later, waiting for the village baker to deliver the fresh croissants and taking our time to consider the ride options for the day.

Today we have a lot on our plate as we are Paris bound.  For those who have not ridden enough and are staying in the Alpes we will all depart for Chambery and will assist you with your onward travels.

Before we go we will have a chance for a short recovery ride to roll out the legs before we spend the remainder of the day on the TGV.

When we settle in and re-group in Paris we welcome you to our Farewell dinner.

Welcome to Paris.

After our coffee and croissant its time to stick to Phil’s wheel and follow him through Paris on a classic tourism extravaganza.  All the key postcard shots from your bike, done.

Home and pack your bike, depending on your forward travels and then there is time to explore Paris on foot before the twilight finish of the 2020 Tour de France.

Watch the finish how you like, we will be curbside enjoying the finale with Phil and friends.

Thank you for traveling with us.

Au revoir.