Rapha Randonnée Alpine - September
1 September — 8 September 2012
The Rapha Randonnée Alpine follows the classic Route des Grandes Alpes, taking in the historical battlegrounds of the Tour de France and some of the most majestic mountain passes in the world. Starting in Evian overlooking Lake Geneva, the Randonnée will head south through the Savoie, over the Massif des Ecrins before traversing the Alpes de Haute Provence and Alpes Maritimes and arriving at the Cote d’Azur in Nice.
* Distance: 780km
* Elevation: 19065m
Key Climbs:
Col de Colombière, Col du Glandon, Alpe d’Huez, Col d’Izoard, Col de la Bonnette-Restefond
Day One: Evian to Praz sur Arly - 130km - 3070m
Day Two: Praz sur Arly to Brides les Bains - 140km - 3500m
Day Three: Brides les Bains to Alpe d'Huez - 135km - 4190m
Day Four: Alpe d'Huez to Jausiers - 163km - 3495m
Day Five: Jausiers to St Martin Vesubie - 105km - 2510m
Day Six: St Martin Vesubie to Nice - 110km - 2300m
Click on the Itinerary tab for more details
What’s Included?
Seven nights accommodation (Single occupancy double room)
All breakfasts and evening meals at the hotels and restaurants
Airport transfers
Lunches on riding days
Experienced guide and dedicated support car on each ride
Complimentary energy drink, bars and gels
Appearances from special VIP guests
Specially prepared Rapha Randonnée Guide Book
What’s Not?
Flights
Travel Insurance
Drinks with evening meals
Incidental Expenses
Tips / gratuities
The Knowledge
- Group Size: 12 riders max.
- Airport: Geneva (in) / Nice (out)
- Accommodation: 7 nights at hotels selected by La Fuga
- Price: £2800 (single occupancy)
Rapha Randonnée Alpine - September
1 September — 8 September 2012
DAY 1: EVIAN - PRAZ SUR ARLY
Distance: 130km
Elevation: 3070m
Key Climbs: Col de Columbière, Col d'Aravis
The climbing starts straight away as we depart the shores of Lake Geneva. The Col de Cou and then the challenging Col de la Columbière are swiftly followed by the Col des Aravis. The charming alpine town of Praz sur Arly awaits for our overnight stop.
La Fuga says:
“Spectacular views as you leave the shores of Lac Leman and head for the hills. The Colombière is the main challenge today but it’s the smaller climbs of the Cou and Plaine Joux that I found charming; a welcome transition from the bustling tourism of Evian to the tranquil upland pastures.”
DAY 2: PRAZ SUR ARLY - BRIDES LES BAINS
Distance: 140km
Elevation: 3500m
Key Climbs: Col des Saisies, Cormet de Roselend
The riding quickly heads skyward again as we take in the Col des Saisies and Cormet de Roselend, enjoying our lunch on the shores of stunning Barrage de Roseland. Tracing the valley of the Isère southwest, the final kilometres towards Brides les Bains see us tackle two small, undiscovered cols before a hair-raising descent into Brides.
La Fuga says:
“The Cormet de Roselend is a personal favourite, from the eastern side it has two distinct personalities, an initial climb out of the steeply sided and wooded valley, emergence onto the shore of the Barrage de Roselend before the final ascent past bare ice scoured rock faces.”
DAY 3: BRIDES LES BAINS - L'ALPE D'HUEZ
Distance: 130km
Elevation: 4190m
Key Climbs: Col de la Madeleine, L'Alpe d'Huez
Now riding into the heart of the French Alps we begin to traverse the immense Massif des Ecrins. The first big challenge of the day is the Col de la Madeleine, a beautiful ascent that takes us from the Isere valley to the River Maurienne. Next up is the legendary Col du Glandon followed by a rapid descent into the Val d’Oisans and the last challenge of the day, L’Alpe d’Huez. We rest for the night in l’Alpe d’Huez, giving time to appreciate the stunning panorama of the Grande Rousses plateau.
La Fuga says:
“Today is the main event, a stage itinerary worthy of a Grand Tour. I couldn’t have lived with myself if we hadn’t finished at the top of l’Alpe d’Huez today. If you’ve only experienced the Alpe on your TV during the Tour de France, today will be a pilgrimage in the fullest sense of word. Cycling history has been written on every hairpin.”
DAY 4: L'ALPE D'HUEZ - JAUSIERS
Distance: 163km
Elevation: 3495
Key Climbs: Col d'Izoard, Col de Vars
The fourth day escapes the buzz of Alpe d'Huez, out the little-known back door and into the awe-inspiring natural grandeur of the Col de Sarenne. The road then climbs the Col du Lautaret followed by a gentle downhill run to the historic town of Briançon. Between here and Jausiers lie the formidable twin obstacles of the Col d’Izoard and the Col de Vars. Another gruelling but amazing day on the bike.
La Fuga says:
"The Izoard is a stunning climb, gruelling and inspiring in equal measures. The intimidating rock pinnacles and barren scree slopes provide a unique backdrop as you approach the summit at almost 2400m."
DAY 5: JAUSIERS - ST MARTIN VESUBIE
Distance: 105km
Elevation: 2510m
Key Climbs: Col de Bonette-Restefond, Col St. Martin
On the fifth day, a giant of a climb stands in the way of our passage south: The Col de la Bonnette-Restefond at 2802m is the highest pass in Europe and the last major obstacle on the route. A long descent down the wooded Tinee valley follows into the Alpes Maritime where Alpine forest ends and Mediterranean scrubland begins. From the summit of the last climb of the day (Col St Martin) the azure blue of the Mediterranean glints in the distance. Our penultimate rest stop is in the 13th century town of St Martin Vesubie.
La Fuga says:
"The highest point on the whole route is also perhaps the first place where thoughts of completing the randonnée might enter your head. On a clear day, the Mediterranean will be visible, glinting away in the far distance. Don’t start thinking it’s all down hill from here though!"
DAY 6: ST MARTIN VESUBIE - NICE
Distance: 110km
Elevation: 2300m
Key Climbs: Col de Turini, Col de la Madone
Then it’s across the old salt route between Piedmont and Nice to tackle five cols, including the Col de la Madone and Col de Turini, familiar to a certain Mellow Johnny who was once a resident of the area. After these final challenges are conquered we arrive in Nice, the cosmopolitan capital of the Cote d’Azur, to bask in the glory (perhaps on the beach) of completing this truly epic route.
La Fuga says:
"You’ll notice a real change in the landscape today, impoverished mountain vegetation surplanted by lush Mediterranean pine forest. Within a stone’s throw of the coast at one point in the route, there’s still a sting in the tail before your graduation to a Randonneur!"
Rapha Randonnée Alpine - September
1 September — 8 September 2012
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