Cycling
Le Tour de France comes to the Alps to challenge the peleton to the extreme. 250K rides over 4/5 major climbs is generally described as “ tres dûr “ by the riders, very hard. If 250K per day is what you want all the major climbs are within 250K return from the chalet if not Simply Paradiski Cycling also has the answer for you. To enable you to tick off those major cols we at Simply Paradiski Cycling have designed some 80 - 100K one way day rides. We will take you to a Village Depart and then collect you at the other end.
However Day return rides from the Chalet include some awesome challenges over major TDFCols.
A suggested itinerary will be tailored and sent to you prior to your arrival, however a flavour.
Montchavin - La Thuille Italy return. 120 kms. Includes Col du Petit St Bernard, 32 kms at 4.5 pct average. This is a great starting climb for the week not to tough, long gentle incline to 2188 mtrs. There is a great restaurant / cafe at half way Refuge Lo Riendet. Fantastic views of Mont Blanc and the Tarentaise.
Montchavin - Les Arc 1800 return via Park Rosuel for the best crepes in the area. 75K The Climb to Les Arc 1800 is 5 pct for 16kms the cycle up the valley to the Rosuel Park is superb. The Crepes are really amazing and provide good fuel for the 9km climb back to the Chalet.
Montchavin - Albertville -Lac Annecy return 140K. Stunning ride. 85k on desiginated cycle piste. False flat at worst a stunning latic burning ride.
A return tour from the Chalet to Bonneval Sur Arc 140K ( arguably the prettiest village in the Alps ) taking in the climb of the Col de L’Iseran from both sides is just stunning. At 2770 mtrs Col de L'Iseran is the highest Col in europe and is to be used for the first time in a number of years in the 2007 TDF. Mind you return rides over the regularly TDF used Cormet de Roseland past the Lac de Roselend, to the Col DU Pre, in either direction, are just breath taking.
Imagine a 90K day ride to include the Col de la Madeleine, Col du Glandon, Col de la Croix de Fer and the Mollard, tack on another 35K you can try your luck up the La Toussuire where Floyd bonked so badly in 2006.
How about the Col du Telegraph as a leg warmer for the Col du Galibier, Col de Lautaret to finish at the top of Alpe-d’Huez, 95K.
Or going North, the Col des Aravis, Col de la Colombiere to finish with Lances' nemesis Col de Joux-Plane 95K.
With Simply Paradiski Cycling there is no packing up and moving on each day you can do all this from one base.
In additon there are numerous day rides within the Tarentaise valley up the Col du Vôtre Plaisir to beautiful little French villages, a favourite of ours being Notre Dame du Pre. You can even have a day off riding along the bottom of the valley on the flat cyclable piste. No climbing just easy lactic burning miles next to the River Isere.
Tour de France
Me, Derek, Del, Murph, I was a late developer, discovering cycling some 12 years back as a 16 stone City fat boy. Since then I’ve gone from the UK charity rides to racing Surrey League, TLI, New Zealand Summer League, Belgian Crits (Hard or what!), International Masters Majorca, (an awesome event) together with cycling some of the Sportive Classics ‘L’Etape’, Tour of Flanders, Ride the Rockies in Colorado, Round Lake Tahoe, New Zealand and have paid tribute to the summit of Mont Ventoux 7 times, together with many miles with some great friends in the Chelmer and Bishops Stortford Cycle Clubs.
Le Tour always comes to the Alps. If you are here when it does then days will be planned around either cycling to an appropriate spot or taking the day off and going in the shuttle.
Having made a number of trips to the final day in Paris with my 6 step decorating ladder, becoming the envy of all around with my perfect view, I have good experience in how to find the best spot. However there is nothing like the atmosphere to be had on a mountain. An itinary for the 2007 tour will be available shortly.
