Cols Légendaires des Grandes Alpes

Our tour of the legendary cols takes the majority of the great climbs of the northern French Alps — names familiar from Tours de France from the last 50 years. You will be following in the wheeltracks of Bartoli and Coppi, Anquetil and Poulidor, Mercx, Hinault and Armstrong.

A quick look at the climbs you will be vanquishing on route:

Crêt de Chatillon (1699m)
Col de Leschaux (897m)
Col de la Forclaz (1150m)
Col de Tamié (907m)
Col de la Madeleine (1993m)
Col d'Iseran (2764m)
Cormet de Roselend (1967m)
Col du Pré (1703m)
Col des Saisies (1657m)
Col des Aravis (1483m)
Col de la Croix Fry (1467m)
Col de la Colombiere (1613m)
Col de Joux Plane (1713m)
Col de la Ramaz (1610m)
Col de Jambaz (1027m)
Col de Feu (1121m)

…..not bad for a single week of cycling! If it's in the northern Alps and the Tour goes over it, chances are we do too!

ITINERARY

Day 1

We collect from Geneva airport and train station and transfer to our hotel in Annecy on the shores of the lake of the same name. Those eager to get some early climbing in can tackle the Crêt de Chatillon (1699m) via the Col de Leschaux (897m) and taking in some breathtaking views of the lake before dropping down to Annecy for a fantasic dinner planned with the week's efforts in mind.

Distance: 45km (optional)

Day 2

Col de la Madeleine

Straight in to the climbing, we tackle the Col de la Forclaz (1150m) before whistling down to the village of Faverges with it's 17th century château, in the shade of whose walls a welcome coffee break awaits. Then comes the climb of the Col de Tamié (907m). Both of these climbs featured in the epic stage 17 of the 2004 Tour de France, won by Lance Armstrong.

After lunch in Albertville comes the day's big one, the Col de la Madeleine (1993m) which has featured in the Tour de France 22 times, most recently in 2005. Luckily on such a long day we are tackling it the 'easy way' with an average gradient of 5% — which of course means that the descent to La Chambre is exciting with an average pitch of 8%. A quick run along the valley brings us to our hotel in St-Jean-de-Maurienne.

Distance: 130km

Day 3

Col d'Iseran

Only one climb today — but what a climb! Following the Arc valley, we come to Lanslebourg situated at 1387m altitude, where a left hand fork puts us onto the lower slopes of the Col d'Iseran (2764m). 33 kilometres later we crest this monster, stopping for lunch and some of the most staggering views in the French Alps. The Iseran was the first ever mountain time-trial in the Tour (1947) and in 1996 was scheduled to be in the tour but was cut at the last minute due to the snow — maybe bring some arm- and legwarmers! It featured in the 2007 tour and the first across was Yaroslav Popovytch.

Descending into the valley of the River Isère, we pass through the swish ski resorts of Val d'Isere and Tignes before sweeping down to our hotel in Bourg St-Maurice.

Distance: 132km

Day 4

Lac de Roselend

A shorter day today, we take it a bit easier as a deserved reward for the exertions of the previous 2 days. Even so, we tackle two renowned climbs from the Tour — first up is the Cormet de Roselend (1967m); a beautiful climb is rewarded by a glorious view of the Lac de Roselend just down from the summit. A regular on the Tour, 2007 saw Michael Rasmussen go over in the lead.

An optional detour round the lake lets us add an additional col, the Col du Pré (1703m). A drop down to the village of Beaufort sees the two routes converging, and is a great spot for lunch before tackling the afternoon's climb, the Col des Saisies (1657m). As you approach the summit of this pass, last used n the 2006 Tour, the views to Mont Blanc are simply stunning. A quick descent brings us to our hotel in Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe.

Distance: 72km (87 with Col du Pré)

Day 5

Three more familiar names from the Tour de France — the Col des Aravis (1483m), the Col de la Croix Fry (1467m) and the Col de la Colombiere (1613m)

The Aravis featured in 2002 and 2006; not too tricky when tackled fresh, we descend only briefly before bagging the Croix Fry, and dropping into Thônes for lunch.

The Colombière has featured a remarkable 18 times, with riders like Landis, Virenque, Pantani and Herrera amongst those to take the honours. Britain's Barry Hoban was first over in 1968. A fantastic downhill carries us into Cluses and our hotel. Not long day, but one steeped in Tour de France history!

Distance: 87km

Day 6

A bumper crop of cols to round off the week — but as we are going downhill towards Lake Geneva, most of them are done the 'easy way'! First up is the Col de Joux Plane (1713m), an hors categorie climb in the notorious 2006 Tour stage from St-Jean-de-Maurienne to Morzine where Floyd Landis staged his staggering recovery only to test positive for testosterone.

After a coffee in Morzine we take on the Col de la Ramaz (1610m) and, after a brief descent, the Col de Jambaz (1027m). A lunch stop in Bellevaux, then one last climb over the Col de Feu (1121m) brings us in sight of Lake Geneva; all that remains is to roll downhill to our hotel in Thonon-les-Bains on the lake shore.

Distance: 115km