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NOTE - Each of the stage descriptions has a link at the end that will open up a page from Map-My-Ride, a website I use for tracking my rides. It's got a google type map of the route, and if you click on the Show Elevation checkbox in the 'Info and Tools' box at the upper right of the map, you can see a profile of the elevation of the day's ride. You can also drag the top border of the elevation box once it appears to get a better idea of the climbs. Most of the climbs and towns can be easily Googled for more detailed information.
Stage 1. We start our first full day riding on the 28th, jet-lagged most likely, and learning our new rental bikes. We will have a relatively easy ride East from Annecy, and then South, to Albertville, climbing about 3600' over the Col des Aravis at about 4800' elevation, and riding about 45 miles.
View Stage-1 route.
Stage 2. Our 2nd day starts out in Albertville, and heads to Valloire. We will cover about 65 miles, and climb about 8000 ft. On the route we will climb over the Col de la Madeleine which is an impressive climb by any standard of about 5000' over about 16 miles. Steep. Save me a beer steep. Once we get over that, we descend, and then get to climb about 3000' up to Valloire for the night. Our total vertical climb for the day will be close to 9000', and we'll reach a max altitude of about 6500'. Gonna sleep well that night I'm sure!
View Stage-2 route.
Stage 3. Our 3rd day begins in Valloire, and finishes in one of the ultimate hills of the Tour de France, L'Alpe D'Huez. We'll bike about 50 miles with almost 9000' of climbing, including the final 9 miles climbing up the multiple switchbacks of L'Alpe D'Huez, where we'll stay the night. The best part is that before we climb L'Alpe D'Huez, we get to climb over the Col de Galibier to an altitude of 8600' - great way to warm up for L'Alpe D'Huez, which frequently proves to be a pivotal stage of the Tour de France.
Stage 4. Our 4th day is another 60ish miler, starting with a descent down L'Alpe D'Huez, and then down the road to Briancon. We'll cover about 62 miles, about 6700' vertical, and two climbs, including Lex Deux Alps and Col de Lautaret.
Stage 5. Our 5th day will take us from Briancon to Gap. Our tired butts will bounce on the bikes for 67 miles. We'll climb almost 5000 feet in the first 10 miles, and then have a long steady downhill ride to Gap. We'll have to climb over the Col d'Izoard which tops out at about 7750'.
Stage 6. Our 6th day will start in Gap and finish in Bedoin. Since we've had such an easy week, we'll ride almost 84 miles today. We'll climb another 5000' today. If we don't find the nearest cafe and take the day off! This will be our longest day of riding, and we should have our legs under us by now. We climb Le Chalet-Reynard, which appears to be a somewhat famous chalet.
Stage 7. Our 7th day is a loop out and back from Bedoin. We'll have a steady climb about 4500' up Mount Ventoux over 12 miles - another steep one. We'll then either do it again, and/or do a nice cruise thru Gorges de la Nesque (a pretty canyon area), and work our way back to Bedoin. Either way, it will be a bittersweet ride into town, knowing the tour is over, but the legs and butt will surely be happy!
