STAGE ONE

Upon arrival we transfer you to our first hotel set in tranquil parkland surrounds. A bit of peace and quiet ensuring a good nights sleep in preparation for a cracker of a first ride! Starting with a bang we head for one of the most popular climbs in the world - Alpe d’Huez!

With a good lead up ride in our legs and a quick coffee in the town of Bourg d’Oisans (and a quick check to see if the famous bike shop is open!) we head up the twenty one switchbacks of the mountain that has hosted a stage finish of the Tour de France almost every year since 1976.

We think that’s plenty for day one! Let’s settle in for some clean mountain top air, sample some alpine fare and hit the sack with our day one ride tucked firmly under our belts. Our stay in the Alps brings with it a couple of hotel transfers as we move through a territory of snow capped mountain tops nestled amongst wide open valleys. Plenty of kilometres to cover with enough pit stops to satisfy the connoisseurs of coffee along with any budding photographers.

Climbs included on your Alpine ride itinerary are Alpe d'Huez, Col du Lautaret, Col du Galibier and the Col d’Iozard with our departure from the Alps being part way car transfer with the remainder of the journey by bike along the rolling secondary roads leading into Provence.

ride total = approximately 300km over four days (excludes first day).

STAGE TWO

The picture postcard setting of our next location has been savored the world over, whether it be from books, movies or from the saddle of a bike. The home of artisans, writers and romantics, Provence provides a wonderful backdrop for a four day holiday inside a holiday.

Approaching Provence via the rolling secondary roads into Provence speckled by grape vines and lavender into the jewel of the Roman Provencal town of Vaison la Romaine where we reside in an exquisite hotel perched atop the old city.

Included in your ride itinerary here is the legendary Tour de France climb of Mont Ventoux where you’ll undoubtedly be joined by many locals climbing on fixies with a baguette in their front basket making it look quite easy! We also include the breathtaking winding pathway of the Gorges de la Nesque in our Provencal tour as well as a ‘Village Trail’ ensuring you to see the best the region has to offer.

After the sun (and possibly the Mistral wind) of Provence, we head to the blanketed green of the Pyrenees.

ride total = approximately 400km over four days

STAGE THREE

Our only official ‘Rest Day’ on the Tour is in the final chapter of your holiday as we have a major transfer to the Pyrenees. Not without a little sightseeing on the way as we detour to the Medieval Walled City of Carcassonne.

Arriving at our final hotel set in a town that has played host to the Tour de France several times over we settle into our hotel - the last of the tour.

Our hotel and it‘s serene setting is surrounded by some of the most favored climbs of the Tour de France so it’s out and back each day with your afternoon spent under the shade of a tree snoozing or perhaps a venture out with the vehicle for a spot of scheduled sightseeing.

With the ride itinerary reading like a Tour de France catalogue, the final Tour chapter includes favorites such as Col d’Aspin, Col d’Aubisque, Col de Peyresourde and the mighty Col du Tourmalet. This magnificent Pyrenean itinerary will ensure you go home with some solid mountain legs.

ride total= 350km over four days

With our tour wrapped up with a final farewell dinner complete with award presentation, reminiscing the past fifteen days and entering dates into your Iphone for the Velocity Bike Tours France 2012! - we set the alarm clocks to be up the following day for our final journey to Toulouse Airport or TGV where we bid you Adieu ..... Until 2012 ....

For information on pricing and inclusions for this holiday please download our Booking Form or contact us directly.

Airfares are not included in the tour price and we do not arrange airfares on your behalf.

Please take the time to enjoy our 2011 Image Gallery here.