Geneva to Nice TransAlp Ride Picture 1
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Best Time of Year: April - October
Ride Geneva to Nice via Col de la Bonette
Bike Adventure
Join us for an epic Alpine adventure, taking in some of the world's most stunning, and challenging, roads. From Alpine lakes, to deep-cut glacial valleys, to ancient medieval villages, to the highest paved pass in Europe. This ride has everything, and if you're up to the challenge, you will be rewarded with some of the best riding of your life!
Our ride begins with a leisurely warm-up out of Geneva, quickly crossing into the French countryside and arriving into Annecy for our first night's accommodation, hopefully having got into the swing of things ready for the proper start of the ride the following day!
The first full day of cycling takes us on a stunning segregated cycle path alongside Lake Annecy, and then on to Albertville, from where we only have a short section to go until our first big climb of the trip; the mighty Col de la Madeleine, a climb that has featured in the Tour de France 25 times, and has been described as ‘beautiful, but heartbreaking’. We'll descend down into La Chambre for a chance to rest our legs and recover for the coming days.
We start the next day by ascending the incredible feat of engineering that is the Lacets de Montvernier, a place that really has to be seen to be believed. From here we head along the valley before turning up the Col du Telegraphe, and then the iconic Col du Galibier, which has been climbed by the Tour de France over 30 times! We then have a long, fast descent to Briancon, a historic ski town nestled amongst some of the highest peaks in Europe.
Although the following day is our shortest since leaving Annecy, we have two high Alpine passes to summit! There's not much chance for a warm-up this morning as we head straight up the Col d'Izoard, a climb steeped in cycling history having featured reguarly in the Tour de France since the 1922 edition; we'll be riding in the tyre-tracks of legends. After an unforgetable descent through the Casse Deserte, we'll begin our ascent of the Col de Vars, our penultimate climb of the trip. Best to take it easy on this one in prepartion for what lies ahead on the final day...
Cime de la Bonette. The highest paved col in Europe. The pinnacle of your ride through this breathtaking part of the world. After a lengthy climb to the summit at 2860m, we have the rest of the day to descend down to sea level and our finish in Nice. Your legs will be glad of a soak in the warm Mediteranean sea after conquering this once-in-a-lifetime challenge.
Itinerary
Day 1 Geneva to Annexcy – 45km / 550m: Arrive via morning flight into Geneva. Assemble bikes after lunch, and ride to Annecy for overnight.
Day 2 Annecy to La Chambre - 117km / 2300m: Ride via Lake Annecy and Col de la Madeleine.
Day 3 La Chambre to Briancon - 103km / 2850m: Ride via Lacets de Montvernier, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier, and Col du Lautaret.
Day 4 Briancon to Barcelonette - 102km / 2900m: Ride up the Col d'Izoard and the Col du Vars.
Day 5 Barcelonette to Nice - 145km / 2500m: Ride via the Cime de la Bonette.
Day 6: Return to UK.
Accommodation
We will be accomodated in comfortable hotels in twin and triple rooms.
Special Notes
Return bike transfer to UK may be included for corporate groups. Please enquire for more details.
Visas / Redtape
Non EU citizens should seek advice.
Included In Trip
Pre event support (training plans and guidance).
5 nights comfortable hotel accommodation in twin / triple rooms.
5 breakfasts.
Adventure Cafe cycle leader (mechanic + first aid).
Adventure Cafe support vehicle.
Adventure Cafe support driver (mechanic + first aid).
4 picnic-style lunches.
Baggage transfers between hotels.
Excluded From Trip
Evening meals (we will reserve a table for the group each night).
Flights.
Airport transfers (dependant on flight times Adventure Cafe will be able to collect your bike from the airport).
Equipment Required
Kit lists specific to your trip dates and location will be issued upon enquiry...below is our guide advice to give an idea of what you should bring on a multi--day ride in Europe
Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike (with puncture resistant tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
2 X Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf, Inner Tubes*, Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Day Bag for support vehicle, Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Bike Lights (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Saddle Bag (recommended - can be used to carry asterisk* items)
Puncture Repair Kit*, Spare parts for your bike (specialist parts and spokes), Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)
Personal Medikit Suncream, Plasters, Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc, Insect Repellant
Washkit
Warm Clothing Medium Weight Softshell, Long sleeve Jersey / insulating layer Lightweight Gloves.
Cycle Clothing
Padded Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts, or Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (wicking type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes or sturdy traners suitable),
Spare Shoes/Sandals for after ride
Casual Evening Wear - tracksuits, jeans, T shirts, fleece ...
Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
Other
Travel Documents, EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) Credit Cards, Cash, Local Currency, Mobile Phone, chargers, EU plug adaptor, Sunglasses
Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)
Travel insurance (not included), Passport
Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip. It is advisable to check that your travel insurance covers the value of any expensive items of kit that you chose to bring along with you.
A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure
Safety Information
Helmets are compulsory.
Please ensure you have had your bike serviced before departure.
Weather
We can expect calm and clear weather; make sure you pack sunscreen and sunglasses. As with any trip, we always hope for the best but plan for the worst. Particularly in the Alps the weather can change quickly; make sure you bring waterproofs and a warm layer for the descents. We may even have a sprinkle of snow on the summits.
Notes on Cycling Events
This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss!
Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles.
On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag.
To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK).
Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.
Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions
By booking an event with Adventure Cafe, you agree to these standard terms of booking. Please ensure that you read the appropriate document for your type of event carefully.
Adventure Cafe Terms & Conditions - For all types of event
To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge
You should fill in the Google Form - linked here below, and then please call us on 01823 444 246 to advise of your payment method. We can accept card payments over the phone, or Bank Transfer.
Please note that your space is not confirmed until you have received your booking receipt.
CLICK HERE:
Adventure Cafe Challenge Booking Form - For Challenge Events