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‘Classic’ Road Cycling Packages in The French Alps – North
The Best Road Cycling Weekend – Fully Supported Alpine Riding
Our Bike Weekender breaks in the Northern French Alps offer you great cycling, stunning scenery and the perfect base to relax and unwind after a long day in the saddle.
Our ‘Classic’ package is a fully supported trip – we provide vehicle support with snacks, drinks and spare gear transport on all rides.
This package is the easiest, most convenient long weekend road cycling trip available; we will ensure that you get the most riding into your time away with the minimum of hassle.
Everything is taken care of, you just need to turn up at Geneva and we’ll take care of the rest.
With a short airport transfer of just 1 hour, superb Alpine riding with lots of loop routes and add-on options for all fitness levels, smooth quiet roads, great weather… it will amaze you how much quality cycling time you can fit into a long weekend ‘Classic’ break with Bike Weekender.
Our Dedicated Cycling Base – Lake Annecy / Aravis Mountains
The Lake Annecy – Aravis region is a fantastic cycling destination… the Tour de France regularly passes through, with 3 stages having taken place within a few km in July 2016, and in 2018 stage 10 finished in Le Grand Bornand, in the heart of the Aravis mountains.
Rides are typically around 70km – 100km with between 1500m and 3000m of climbing. ‘Classic’ breaks work with a fixed route group ride planned for each day of the trip, but we do have extra climbs and loops up our sleeve for those riders who want a little extra.
And if your legs are feeling it a few days in… remember that our dedicated team will be in the support vehicle waiting for you on each col with water, snacks and the option of a lift home if you need it…
Thursday to Monday Cycling Weekends – Maximum Riding, Minimum Hassle
Our ‘Classic’ Northern Alps trip is our most convenient long weekend package. This 4-day weekend has a very short airport transfer and full vehicle support for each day’s ride, giving you the most cycling possible over a short break.
It’s a challenging and rewarding weekend featuring world-class riding through beautiful Alpine landscape.
Our ‘Classic’ weekends are designed to give you a varied selection of the best riding to be found in the region.
We set a fixed itinerary for rides based on the make-up of each group, but for each day there is often flexibility to ride longer or shorter route versions.
The following is a sample itinerary of what your ‘Classic’ weekend break might look like.
Cycling Weekend Itinerary – 4 full days riding Classic Tour de France Cols
On each day of a ‘Classic’ cycling weekend break, we’ll head out on the scheduled ride after breakfast at your accommodation.
Lunch (not included in the package) is taken at cafés / restaurants along the ride route.
After each ride, there’ll be time to relax before a cyclist-friendly 3-course evening meal.
Thursday – Arrival
You arrange afternoon / evening flights to Geneva Airport.
Geneva is well served with flights from the UK – see full details on travel options here >>>
Our airport pick-ups are at 17:30 and 21:45 – transfer to your base is only 1 hour.
There’ll be time to build bikes / set up hire bikes, before a 3-course dinner or late supper is served.
Friday – Col de Forclaz & Lake Annecy ride
A spectacular first-day ride with amazing views across Lake Annecy from the top of the Col de la Forclaz. Continue around the lake shore, passing through the beautiful medieval town centre of Annecy before the climb back to base.
Ride distance = 97 km with total climbing of 2049m
Saturday – Aravis Loop ride via Flumet
A stunning ride featuring Col de Marais and the less well-known but spectacular Col d’Arpettaz complete with 42 switchbacks – a real hidden gem! Then tackle the famous Col des Aravis and a thrilling descent back to base – as featured on the final day of the 2016 Tour de France.
Ride distance = 89 km with total climbing of 2556m
Sunday – ‘Big Day Out’ – 3 Classic Cols
A special day with 3 big Tour de France cols ticked off in one ride. First up its Col des Aravis, followed by Col des Saisies and finally comes the mighty Cormet de Roseland with amazing Alpine vistas. Minibus transfer back to base!
Ride distance = 97 km with total climbing of 3101m
Monday – Col de la Colombière – Departure
One more Tour de France col to ride, it’s a simple loop ride to tackle the Col de la Colombière. Not a long ride, but a real challenge and a fitting finale to your time in the Aravis Mountains.
Ride distance = 62 km with total climbing of 1466m
Return to base, pack away bikes, shower before departing to Geneva Airport.
Transfers leave base at 14:00 (for flights departing after 16:45) and 17:30 (for flights departing after 20:30)
Please Note
The itinerary outlined is provisional, although it’s a very typical outline of the routes you can ride on a ‘Classic’ break.
On rare occasions, we may have to modify this programme due to weather conditions, group ability, roadworks etc.
The Home of Bike Weekender…
Our original & longest-running short break location. Your home-from-home for hassle-free cycling holidays.
- Fully-supported ‘Classic’ package service
- Sociable chalet-style dining
- Wine with dinner included
- Full bar, sauna, gym and bike hire on-site
- Our team on hand to help throughout
The fantastic cycling in the Aravis mountains and the Northern Alps is accessible straight from the door.
We have set it up to cater specifically to your needs for a short cycling break, so make yourself comfortable and think of it as your home from home.
After a hard day in the mountains, you’ll regularly find guests sharing a drink in the bar, unwinding in the sauna or simply dozing in the lounge.
The dining room plays host to some memorable meals, with anything from 6 – 40 people around large banquet tables sharing stories and making new friends.
See more images and information about the Aravis Lodge here >>>
Find out more about Bike Weekender’s fully supported ‘Classic’ trips available here >>> and our self-guided ‘Lite’ road cycling holidays here >>>
Dates and Prices for ‘Classic’ Cycling Breaks – Northern Alps
Our ‘Classic’ road cycling breaks are available in the Northern French Alps on certain fixed dates each summer, on a Thursday – Monday 4-night basis. These breaks are available to book for individuals, couples and small groups.
For trips to other destinations, on other dates, longer stays, or holidays with a different start / end day format, we can arrange custom road cycling packages for groups of 6 or more. See here for more details of our custom trips for clubs and groups >>>
All prices are per-person, based on 2 guests sharing a room. Contact us for details of single occupancy options.
| Start Date | Price |
|---|---|
| 11 June 2020 | CANCELLED |
| 9 July 2020 | CANCELLED |
| 10 Sept 2020 | £545 tbc |
Bike Weekender ‘Classic’ Packages Include:
- Ensuite Accommodation at our base hotel near to Le Grand Bornand
- Airport Transfers from Geneva – pickup at 17:30 or 21:45 for arrivals
- Airport Transfers to Geneva – depart resort at 14:00 or 17:30
- Half-board – hearty, plentiful, cyclist-friendly food
- Vehicle support on every ride
- The dedicated service of our professional, friendly team
Not Included in the Package Price:
Flights – arranged independently. See here for full details
Bike Hire – quality options available. See the Extras tab above for full details
Lunches whilst out riding – bought directly
Additional drinks from the bar
Interested in a ‘Classic’ Break in the Northern French Alps?
If you’d like to join one of the dates above, just send through our booking form here… we’ll be in touch by email shortly to confirm your reservation.
If you have any questions about any aspect of our road cycling holidays, our package, accommodations or the areas we operate in, just send through an enquiry form here, call us on +44 845 557 5983 or email info@bikeweekender.com
Bike Hire
The Aravis Lodge has the most convenient bike hire facilities of any of our locations – it’s mere steps away, on-site! You can grab a cup of tea (or a beer!) and head down to the Lodge basement on your arrival afternoon / evening, at your leisure, and get sorted with your bike and other kit from our comprehensive range of gear. For more details and full prices please see here >>>
Sauna
The Aravis Lodge has a sauna on the lower ground level, along with the on-site bike hire suite. The sauna is available to all guests in the afternoon and early evening.
Looking to book a 'Classic' Northern Alps break?
Just email us at info@bikeweekender.com , call us on +44 (0) 845 557 5983 or
