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Saturday 9th to Sunday 17th August
 Dogs
for the Blind in 2005 and was a huge success. This year
we are running it under our own banner, and it is based
on stages from previous Tours de France
From
the city of Grenoble this tour will take you over some
classic Tour de France climbs such as L’Alpe d’Huez,
Col du Lauteret, Col du Galibier, Col d’Izoard, Mont
Ventoux and the little known climb of the Col de Rochette
(where in 2003 Beloki crashed and Armstrong went mountain
biking!!).
On certain days there will be the option of alternative flatter routes.
Itinerary:
Saturday 9th August:
Arrange your own flight to Geneva or contact ourselves for
prices. Easy Jet, www.easyjet.com operate cheap flights
to Geneva from the following airports Liverpool, East Mids,
Bristol, Newcastle, Bournmouth, Belfast, Sheffield, Edinburgh,
Luton, Stansted, Gatwick.
On arrival you will be met by our rep, at 13.00hrs and 18.00hrs
we will operate coach transfers from Geneva airport to the
3* Novotel in Grenoble. After the evening meal there will
be a welcome meeting which will explain in detail about the
tour.
You may want to combine our Tour de
France cycle challenge 1 (Lake Geneva to Alpe d’Huez) with this tour and meet
the group at the hotel in Grenoble.
Sunday 10th August:
Grenoble to L’Alpe d’Huez 60km
The ride starts with a gentle 50km uphill ride from Grenoble
to Bourg d’Oisans (foot of the famous L’Alpe
d’Huez). From Bourg d’Oisans you start the 13km
and 21 hairpin bends climb to the ski station of L’Alpe
d’Huez. By going to the Tourist office in Bourg d’Oisans & L’Alpe
d’Huez you can time yourself up the climb and obtain
a certificate.
Monday 11th August:
L’Alpe d’Huez to Briancon 90km or 74km
Today we leave L’Alpe d’Huez and head to Briancon.
This is a 90km or 74km ride and takes in the 2000mt high
Col du Lauteret, which features so prominently in the Tour
de France. There is also the option of extending the ride
a little and climb the famous Col du Galibier, at 2,680mt
it is usually the highest mountain on the Tour de France
route.
Tuesday 12th August:
Briancon to Guillestre 54km or 36km
Leaving Briancon we face a 54km ride to Guillestre and climb
the 2,340mt high Col d’Izoard, passing through the
spectacular scenery of the “Causse Desert” where
there is a monument to Fausto Coppi and Louisien Bobet (Tour
de France riders from the 1950s). There is the option of
a short 36km downhill ride to Guillestre.
Wednesday 13th August:
Guillestre to Gap 67km
Leaving Guillestre we ride to Gap, taking in the small climbs
of St Apollinaire & Rochette (site of Beloki’s
spectacular crash and Armstrong riding through the field)
which featured in the 2003 Tour de France. On the Col de
Rochette there is a plaque that makes the spot where Beloki
crashed and Armstrong went mountain biking.
Thursday 14th August:
Gap to Sisteron 60km
Today we head south out of the Hautes Alpes and with an easy
ride of 60km from Gap to Sisteron.
Friday 15th August:
Sisteron to Vaison la Romaine 100km
Leaving Sisteron we cross into the beautiful Provence region
with an undulating ride of 100km to the town of Vaison la
Romaine. This is the longest ride of the tour. We shall spend
nights in Vaison la Romaine.
Saturday 16th August:
 Vaison
la Romaine – Mont Ventoux – Vaison la
Romaine 74km
Our Tour de France cycle challenge finishes by climbing one
of the most famous and feared mountains of the Tour de France,
the Mont Ventoux. 1km from the summit of Mont Ventoux you
will pass the Tom Simpson memorial. This is a circular ride
that starts and finishes from our hotel in Vaison la Romaine.
Sunday 17th August:
We shall leave Vaison la Romiane at 08.00hrs for a coach
transfer to Geneva airport for your return flight. We will
arrive at Geneva airport at 13.00hrs. For those people
who have earlier flights they will have to spend an extra
night in Geneva and fly the following day.
Order
a full
Graham Baxter Sporting Tours cycling kit (short
sleeved jersey, bib shorts, socks and cap) for
only £70 (list price £85) when purchased with your
holiday booking. See clothing
page for clothing details and sizes.
Clothing order must be paid in full and sent with holiday
booking. The offer does not apply if ordered separately
from holiday booking.
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