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 on a full pension

  Double bedroom option: You will sleep in a comfortable hotel, B&B or, sometimes, ‘gite’ in a bedroom for 2 people. Sheets and towels are provided. (Single room option available - see prices on our site).
   

• Food

  Your trip might not be the best time to diet, as it's an occasion to taste the local cooking. We place great importance to the quality of the food we provide: well-balanced and nutritious, providing lots of energy with the specialties of the region incorporated into each meal.

  • Your accommodations provides Continental breakfasts.
  • We distribute simple cereal/muesli bars and dried fruit in the morning before the start of the stage.
  • Hearty dinners (3 to 4 courses, with local dishes)
  • You must bring your own specific energy bars and isodrinks.
  At lunch, there is 3 options based on what you prefer:

  • A picnic to carry along in a small backpack. It contains an individual salad (carbohydrate and vegetable based salad), cold meats, cheese and fruit. This picnic can be carried in a small backpack or a handlebar bag. 
  • "Racing food" for those "allergic" to backpacks: energy bars, dried fruit.
  • No lunch organised by us, leaving you free to stop and eat when and where you want (restaurant, bakery, grocery store...).

• Attendees

  Individual registration:
  1-5 people- You can register for the dates already planned by La Rébenne with the option with assistance vehicle double bedroom.

  Group registration:
  You are in an organised group of at least 6 people- You can register for the dates planned by La Rébenne or your own dates (contact us).

• 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

  2 options to choose from:

  Self-guided cycling with luggage transfer. (For organised groups only):
  You set off alone, equipped with the orientation equipment provided by us: maps with marked routes and GPS tracks to discover the circuit which has been designed by our team. With the GPS fixed to your handlebars, you will be guided by the instructions we have carefully prepared with the highest level of precision.

  Self-guided cycling with assistance vehicle. (Only for individuals or organised groups):
  The assistance vehicle with bike trailer (or bike roof rack) will meet you at several points throughout the day’s stage, often at the top of the mountain passes (Cols) and will bring you your picnic, water, your extra clothes as well as a complete toolkit in case of any mechanical issues. As a result, you can fully enjoy your day with only a light bag or without needing to carry a bag at all. The driver will also give you advice for each stage, helping you to manage your ride and progress and will, most of the time, be able to answer any questions you may have about the local area.

• Plane

  - Either you buy your plane ticket yourself, only when we have confirmed in writing the departure of your trip.

  - Either we book your plane tickets for you.