Table of contents
Overview
Surrounded on all sides by the most spectacular scenery in the French Alps, Lake Annecy is a natural base for all things outdoors. During summer, skiers turn into cyclists and triathletes abound swimming and running the lake. When the day is done, the old village of Lake Annecy, with its café-lined streets and medieval homes is a favorite spot to while away the afternoon.
On our Lake Annecy destination tour we’ll take advantage of the endless Alpine passes right outside our hotel door. Each day includes 1-3 climbs (cols) including the Col de la Colombiere, Col de la Croix de Fry, Col de Romme, the famous Forclaz, the Semnoz and many other favorite local’s passes. Each ride is SAG supported, guided and includes route maps, profiles and energy products.
Accommodations. Your home for the week will be in a beautifully renovated historic villa on the east side of the lake near Talloires. The villa comes complete with all of the luxuries of a fine hotel and the friendliness of a young family. The villa is handpicked by Julie both for its luxurious amenities, proximity to the lake and the rides and the delicious Haute Savoie breakfasts.
Food. The Savoyards are very proud of their heritage as well as their hearty cuisine. On your vacation, you can expect delicious breakfasts with fresh yogurts, homemade jams, Swiss muesli and local cheeses. During each ride, we’ll stop at a recommended bistro or pizzeria for enough fuel to get us the rest of the way home. Group dinners are always special 3-4 course meals. The other nights are free for you to explore and discover on your own. Please let us know about any dietary restrictions and we will do our best to cater.
Our Annecy destination tour is designed for experienced cyclists in reasonably good condition for cycling one to two category climbs/day. While there are options for easier days, the heart of the tour is climbing and incredible scenery. Non-cycling significant others are welcome and free to enjoy the plethora of other independent activities including lakeside runs, hiking, lounging by the lake, swimming, sailing and shopping.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival Day.
Your guides will meet you at the Geneva International Airport for a short transfer to your Hotel de Charme overlooking beautiful Lake Annecy. After assembling the bikes, your afternoon is free to lounge by the Lake, sightsee or take a short ride to shake out the jet leg. If you’ve arrived a day or two early to Annecy, we will arrange to pick you up at your hotel or the Annecy train station. We’ll have a short orientation to go over the week’s activities followed by a special dinner.
Day 2 – Lake Loop & Col de Forclaz.
We’ll have a nice flat warm-up ride around the lake on the 2009 Tour de France time trial course. Most of the route is on a flat fast traffic-free bike path taking us directly to the eastern ascent of the Col de la Forclaz (8 km, 2,150 ft gain at an average 8%). The views from the summit of the Forclaz are spectacular. Enjoy the descent all the way back to our retreat. Ride: 65 km+, 1 col, 2150 ft climbing.
Day 3 – Climb the Marais and Col de la Croix Fry.
Building our base, we head into the interior of the Haute Savoie spinning up the relatively easy Col de Marais followed by the bold Col de la Croix Fry (12 km, gain of 2670 feet). A fantastic descent drops us into the mountain village of La Clusaz for lunch. Return via a long descent back to the lake or enjoy one of the several options to extend the ride up another col or down the fast and fun Gorges des Eveaux. Ride: 80 km, 3500 ft climbing, 2 cols with options for more.
Day 4 – Col de Romme, & Col de la Colombiere Loop.
Possibly the most challenging day of the entire week, we’ll follow the most exciting section of the 2009 Tour de France Stage 17. Starting on the valley floor, we’ll follow mostly flat quiet roads paralleling the Aravis mountain chain. Near Cluses the ride begins in earnest, a ramp of back-to-back category 1 climbs: the Col de Romme followed by the Colombiere. After lunch in the village of Grand Bornand, you’ll enjoy a long 24 km descent back to our hotel. Ride: 90 km, 5,000 ft climbing, 2 cat. 1 cols.
Day 5 – West Side Loop of Semnoz.
With more to explore on the west side of the lake, no tour of this region would be complete without taking in the beauty (and beast) of the huge massif of the Semnoz (18.3 kms and 3,970 feet climbing). After refueling at the top, we’ll take in the scenic south side views for the quiet roads (and another small col) back to our hotel. Ride: 85 km, 1 big climb.
Day 6 – Homeward Bound.
After breakfast, we’ll provide a direct transfer to Geneva airport for your connections home. If you choose to extend your trip, we’re happy to take you to the Annecy train station for connections throughout France. Merci!
Details
Our TDF Trip Includes
- Services of one or more of our smiling domestiques (i.e. guides) equipped with cell phone
- 5 nights accommodation in luxury historic villa;
- Breakfast daily (except arrival day)and 3 dinners;
- Energy snacks and hydration on rides;
- Luggage transfer and daily SAG support;
- Cycling route maps, distances and col profiles and
- Ride Strong Travel Planner including details on packing,training and traveling with your bike.
Travel and Bikes
- You are responsible for travel expenses to and from the arrival and departure city. We’ll send you a travel planner to help with all of the logistics of getting there;
- You should bring your own bike and helmet (although we’ve been rumored to help arrange bike rentals if you prefer). Contact us during the registration process if you’d like to rent a bike; and
- Passports are needed for all international tours.
Travel Insurance & Cancellations
To reserve your space on our bike tour, please complete the short registration form and send a deposit of $700 USD/person. Ride Strong Bike Tours strongly recommends purchasing peace of mind travel insurance for unexpected trip cancellations or any necessary medical insurance covering you during international travel. We’ll provide you with information about insurance plans upon receipt of your completed registration form and deposit. Please also see our Terms and Cancellation Policy. Ride Strong Bike Tours reserves the right to make modifications to hotels, dates, routes or tour pending confirmation of our hotels and registrations. We will notify you of any material modifications at our earliest possible convenience. Ride Strong Bike Tours also reserves the right to cancel a tour in the unlikely event of insufficient registrations, inclement weather, wars or other matters outside of our control.
Book this Tour
Book this Tour Now!
Registering for a Ride Strong bike tour is simple and secure. To make a booking for one of our cycling tours, please complete our online registration form. Your booking will be confirmed by email. Alternatively, you can go to our printer-friendly online registration form, print off the page and fax it to us. For any questions with your registration, please contact us at info@ridestrongbiketours.com. A single registration form may be used for up to four riders paying together with one credit card and with the same mailing address.
