The Great Crossing of the French Alps by bike

Program

Travel conditions

• Luggage

  You only carry the business of the day and the picnic. Luggage is carried by vehicle (or assistance vehicle). 1 piece/person and limited to 15kg/piece.

• Formalities

  • A valid official ID
  • We recommend travel insurance with repatriation included

• DEPARTURE AND MEETING POINT

  The first day at Thonon les Bains (74).

  How to get there:
  By car: N5 or D903.
  By train: Thonon les Bains SNCF Train Station.
  By plane: Geneva Airport then taxi or shuttle bus/assistance vehicle.

• Accommodation

  7 nights in double room formula: 6 hotels*** including 4 with swimming pool including 3 with spa and 1 good hotel** depending on the availability of accommodation.
  3 stages in B&B formula (night + breakfast) and 4 stages in half board formula (+dinner)

• Food

  This is not the time to go on a diet! Instead, it is an opportunity to taste local cuisine and specialities. The quality of your food is paramount and we take great care to ensure a good dietary balance, sufficient calorie intake and that each meal includes local specialities.You will eat in the hotel.

  Picnics (for lunch) are not included.

• Attendees

  Individual registration:
  You are 1 to 5 people: You can register on one of the dates already planned by LaRébenne in formula with assistance vehicle double room.

  Group registration:
  You are a group of at least 6 people: you can register on the dates planned by LaRébenne or freely on your dates (consult us) in formula lodging or double room.

• Difficulty level

  You are in good physical condition and go cycling on roads, over long distances, at least once a week.
  Stages vary from 80 to 130km per day with positive altitude differences of 2000 to 2700m per day.

• Options

  • Physiotherapy: recovery session with a physiotherapist at the end of the stage,
  • Leader: a qualified instructor guides the group (+ sports advice),
  • Mechanic: a mechanic cycles is responsible for repairs during the circuit and maintenance of the bikes at the end of the stages.

   

• Options

  Extra nights :
  - Thonon les Bains in 3* hotel, double or twin room, including breakfast: 85€
  - Thonon les Bains in 3* hotel, single room, including breakfast: 135€
  - Nice in 3* hotel, double or twin room, including breakfast: 85€
  - Nice in 3* hotel, single room, including breakfast: 125€
  
  Massage :
  - In Briançon (4th day): 65€
  - In Beuil (6th day): 65€
  Road bike rental:

  - E-road bike : 
  Carbon frame and fork, aluminium wheelset, Shimano 105 groupset, 11 speeds, 50/34 - 11/32 supplied with 1 x 248Wh battery (+ 1 extra battery 210Wh), model Orbea Gain M30 or equivalent, roughly 13 kg: 800€

  - Standard road bike : 
  Carbon frame and fork, disc brakes, Shimano Tiagra groupset, 10 speeds, 50/34 - 11/32, aluminium wheelset, model Scott Addict or equivalent, roughly 9 kg: 325€

  - Premium road bike : 
  Carbon frame and fork, disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra groupset, 11 speeds or 12 Di2 speeds, 50/34 - 11/32, aluminium wheelset, model Scott Addict 20 or equivalent, roughly 8,4 kg: 430€

  - Ultimate road bike :
  Carbon frame and fork, rim brakes, Shimano Ultegra groupset, 11 speeds or 12 Di2 speeds, 50/34 - 11/34, carbon Mavic wheelset, model Scott Addict 10 or equivalent, roughly 8 kg: 565€
   

  For all rental bike models, we provide this equipment :
  - 2 bottle holders
  - Repair kit with 2 CO2 cartridges, patches, multi-tool, 1 inner-tube and tyre levers.
  Helmets and water bottles are not included.
  Pedals: Bikes are coming without pedals; you can bring your own of tell us which one you need, we have 3 different models: Look Keo easy, Shimano SPD-SL or Shimano SPD.
  If you want to rent us a bike, please tell us your height (also frame size and inseam, please) and your choice of bike and pedals.

  The tour leader will come with the rental bikes the 1st day. With you, he will carry out an inventory of the bike, as well as at the end of the tour.

  Other options :
  - Single room accommodation (7 nights): 395€
  - Transfer Nice - Thonon at the end of the trip, on day 8, around 9am: 135€
  - Transport of a rigid bike box during the trip (or semi rigid bike bags): 40€

   

• Accompanying

  Two formulas to choose from:

  • Bike in freedom with carrying luggage (for groups made from 6 people).
    Equipped with the guidance material we give you: maps with highlighted route and GPS tracks.
  • Free bike with assistance vehicle and driver (for groups of 8 or more people).
    The assistance vehicle reaches you at different times during the day’s stage, often at the top of the passes and carries your picnic, water, extra clothes and a complete toolbox in case of mechanical problems. You enjoy your day with a light bag or no bag. The driver of the vehicle also gives you advice for each step, helps you manage your effort, and can most of the time answer your questions about the region visited.