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The Raid Alpine connecting Geneval to Nice is an epic road biking challenge. It follows the classic Randonnee Alpine, Lac Leman - Cote d'Azur 712km - 31 cols and 17485m climbing (including the Iseran, Mont Cenis, Izoard, Vars and Restefond Bonnet - the highest pass in Europe.)
Starting by the beautiful shores of lake Geneva, we ride about 110km each day staying in local hotels where the food and hospitality is excellent. The hotels know cyclists are hungry after a long day in the saddle. Fully supported, our minibuses are around all day and take your luggage from hotel to hotel. We finish this week in Antibes - with some lovely champagne and food in a local restaurant to celebrate our achievement. A fantastic road biking holiday in the French Alps! After successful completion of the Raid Alpine you receive a very impressive medal from the Cycle Club de Thonon(the club that organises the route of the Raid) as a memento of your epic adventure.
As well as the set tour dates for this trip we have extensive knowledge and experience of organising this tour for groups of cyclists. If you and a gang of friends fancy taking this challenge on please contact our office for a private tour quotation.
Please click on our tour dossier below for more details on this trip.
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A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Resources Tab
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival Geneva
Arrive and check in to our hotel just above Thonon des Banes. We used this hotel last year and they provide great food and hospitality prior to our “Grand Depart”.
Day 2
Distance 100 km
Our ride today takes in the foothills outside Geneva through Habere Poche (where we get our first ‘Stamp’), over the Col de Ramaz and through Praz de Lyz. Taninges provides a good lunch stop before we roll along the valley floor and through Sallanches. The last climb to Megeve at 5% over 10km provides a relatively easy finish to day 1.
Day 3
Distance 105 km
We start with a gentle downhill before we hit the Col de Saises. It’s a 14km climb but at 6/7% not too demanding and it has some welcome flat sections! We then descend to Beaufort before tackling the Col de Pre (a nasty little 9% over about 8km) and the Cormet de Roseland. There is a great spot for lunch just before the lake below the Cormet summit. The final climb from Bourg St Maurice to Tignes Reculaz is long and steady. Our hotel is perfectly placed on the lake just before Val d’Isere.
Day 4
Distance 125 km
We have a short 5km warm up before we climb 12km to the Col d’Izeran. This is another spot for your card to be stamped (2,764 metres) before a long sweeping descent to Bessans. The next climb is the Col de Mont Cenis where we pass the border into Italy. The road surface to Souza is perfect and it is a fast descent before the gradual climb to our Hotel Cesane where plentiful Italian food will be on offer for supper – pasta in readiness for tomorrow.
Day 5
Distance 110 km
The first climb is the Col de Sestriere where an early morning espresso or cappuccino is welcome before we ride over the short Col de Mongeneve and back over into France. The ride takes us through the old historic town of Briancon before tackling the monster Col d’Izerad. There are some great lunch stops just before the peak and the long descent to Guillestre. The descent allows you a welcome recovery before we climb up to St Marie de Vars where we have reserved rooms in a lovely friendly alpine hotel.
Day 6
Distance 135 km
We start today with the Col de Vars - a relatively easy 6km climb to the summit. We then have a long descent before we hit one of the great cols of the Alps. It’s also the highest at 2,850 metres. It’s called the Col de Bonette. Although long it’s not super steep and is a lovely ride. It’s a great place to take some photos and you begin to feel the Mediterranean coming. The descent is long but the road surface is excellent. Our last Col today is the Couillole which winds through the rocks on very small roads and is over 16kms. It’s a short descent before we ride into the lovely southern alpine ski station of Valberg. The Chastellan is a friendly hotel offering a great evening menu.
Day 7
Distance 135 km
Last day. Although there is a lot of downhill today there is still 135kms to cover with small cols. The great thing is that they seem small in comparison to what we have already conquered! Once we are over the Col de St Raphael we have a fantastic ride through Grasse and the Mediterranean appears in the distance. On arrival in Antibes, we normally have a couple of celebratory drinks and supper in a pre-booked restaurant in the old town.
The tour finishes after breakfast the next morning.
- 7 nights accommodation
- All breakfasts
- 7x 3 course evening meals with wine
- Luggage transfers
- Minibus with snacks & drinks enroute
- All rides with guides
- Support van with bike mechanic
- Amazing terrain following Tour routes
- Transfer from Geneva/to Nice Airport
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GROUP TOUR PRICE 2024
€1,870 per person sharing
€ 410 single room supplement
OPTIONAL
Road bike rental around €350
Shimano 105 or Ultegra Group set on a triple chain set.
Bikes will be either Carbon or lightweight Aluminium frames.
Self Guided Tour Information
Not available as self guided tour.
Flights to Geneva or Nice Airport. Airport transfer included.
As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).