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‘Lite’ Road Cycling Packages in The French Alps – North
Independent Bike Riding Weekends – Northern Alps
A Northern French Alps ‘Lite’ Weekend gives you a fully-flexible approach to riding some of the great Tour de France cols, with the back-up and expertise of our team to help with your route planning.
Our ‘Lite’ package has a great value, hassle-free format which allows you to just focus on cycling. Each day you will be route-finding yourselves, but with the back up of advice from our experienced team, route maps, guides and GPS files to ensure you can find the best rides and fully enjoy the challenge of cycling in the French Alps.
Geneva airport is just an hour away making Annecy – Aravis the ideal weekend short-break location. The roads and routes are superb and we have such a wide choice of loops, climbs and tours straight from our door. You’ll be spoiled for choice!
Aravis Mountains and Lake Annecy – Alpine Cycling Heaven
The Tour de France is a regular visitor to this region; the Col de la Colombière, Col des Aravis and Col de la Forclaz featured once more in the 2016 edition, and in 2018 one of the stages finished in Le Grand Bornand, in the heart of the Aravis. In 2020 the Tour will be passing by our front door yet again!
Though it’s not just for the pros, it’s a popular region for amateur cyclists to tackle Alpine climbs; our Bike Weekender route folder is filled with rides of all lengths and challenge.
A typical ride in this region could be between 60km – 90km with anywhere between 1,500 and 3,000 metres of climbing. As you’ll be riding independently there’s no time pressure; you can take all day (including a leisurely lunch enroute), find your pace and just take in the stunning scenery of the French Alps in summer.
After each ride, you’ll be relaxing and recovering at your base accommodation. Within easy reach of both Le Grand Bornand and La Clusaz, there’s plenty to keep you busy when not riding.
4 Great Days on the Bike – Amazing Alpine Cycling
Our Northern Alps ‘Lite’ weekend is the best value weekend holiday we offer.
You are sure to get a great 4 days riding in a stunning Alpine setting.
You pick the routes… it’s easy to climb an epic Tour de France col each day, taking in Alpine views from lovely smooth tarmac.
There’s a very wide choice of routes around the area, so there can be a challenge for everyone.
We welcome you here with a great cycling set up, delicious food and dedicated service, to help you to get the most from your short road cycling break in the French Alps.
We’ll ensure that your 4 days of riding is just what you want – our local knowledge and experience will allow us to help you match the best rides to your group’s ability and fitness.
Join us and look forward to some magical days in the mountains!
Cycling Weekend Itinerary – A Wide Choice of Alpine Riding and Famous Cols
The itinerary / rides outlined below are just a few examples of the amazing riding in this region.
On each day of a ‘Lite’ cycling weekend break, you’ll choose your ride from amongst these or many other options.
Navigation is down to you; we have route cards / GPS tracks for all suggested rides to make this as easy as possible.
You should be prepared to carry gear for the day with you – a windbreaker, snacks / drinks, tool-kit, spare tubes etc.
Lunch (not included in the package) can be taken at cafés / restaurants along the ride route.
After each ride, there’ll be time back at your accommodation to relax before a 3-course evening meal.
Thursday – Arrival
You arrange afternoon / evening flights to Geneva Airport. Geneva is well served with flights from the UK – see full details on travel options here >>>
Our airport pick-ups are at 17:30 and 21:45 – transfer to your base is only 1 hour.
There’ll be time to build bikes / set up hire bikes, before a 3-course dinner or late supper is served.
Friday – Col de Forclaz & Lake Annecy ride
A spectacular first-day ride with amazing views across Lake Annecy from the top of the Col de la Forclaz.
Continue around the lake shore, passing through the beautiful medieval town centre of Annecy before the climb back to base.
Ride distance = 97 km with total climbing of 2049m
Saturday – Aravis Loop ride via Flumet
A stunning ride featuring Col de Marais and the less well-known but spectacular Col d’Arpettaz complete with 42 switchbacks – a real hidden gem!
Then tackle the famous Col des Aravis and a thrilling descent back to base – as featured again in the 2020 Tour de France.
Ride distance = 89 km with total climbing of 2556m
Sunday – Col de la Colombière Loop
A legendary Tour de France col and a loop ride with plenty of add-on choices, like the col de Romme, to up the challenge if required.
From the summit of Col de la Colombière it’s a straight drop to your base.
Ride distance = 62 km with total climbing of 1466m
Monday – Col de la Croix Fry – Departure
A final Tour de France col to tick off the list, and although a short ride it’s a fair challenge of a climb providing a great finale to your time in the Aravis Mountains.
Ride distance = 32 km with total climbing of 994m
Return to base, pack away bikes, shower before departing to Geneva Airport.
Transfers leave base at 14:00 (for flights departing after 16:45) and 17:30 (for flights departing after 20:30)
Offering three locations, ideal for the Northern Alps
We are fortunate to be able to choose from three different locations for our ‘Lite’ road cycling breaks in the Northern Alps, each with their own advantages.
All three are either in or very close to the traditional Alpine village of Le Grand Bornand, in the heart of the Aravis mountains.
We tend to make our location selection based on the overall group requirements for each particular weekend, so may not be able to confirm exactly which hotel each break will be in until nearer the time.
Either way, you will receive a friendly welcome and service, in properties with charming character and comfort, in convenient locations.
All rooms are en-suite; most of them are 2-person double / twins, plus a few larger rooms which can sleep up to 4 guests.
Hotels la Point Percée and Les Glaieuls also have a very small number of single rooms, available without a supplement.
Please contact us for more details if you are a solo traveller.
All options offer great riding direct from the door, and are accessible to the iconic cols made famous by the Tour de France, in addition to spectacular scenery.
Please note that, depending on availability, on some trips we may use other accommodation in the area, and these locations are also chosen as above.
Food and Drink for Cyclists
All Bike Weekender breaks include half board – a hearty breakfast and 3-course evening meal every night.
Breakfast is a continental buffet, served from 0730 each morning to set you up for the day’s riding. Dinner is freshly prepared each day using local produce where possible.
Menus are planned with cyclists in mind, and will fill you up with the carbs you need for the next day’s riding.
All of the hotels are used to feeding cyclists, and their teams know what sort of food you need for the next day’s riding.
Accommodation Options
Find out more about each of our accommodation options in the Northern French Alps at:
Dates and Prices for ‘Lite’ Cycling Breaks – Northern Alps – Summer
Our ‘Lite’ road cycling breaks are available in the Northern French Alps on certain fixed dates each summer, on a Thursday – Monday 4-night basis.
These breaks are available to book for groups of any size.
For trips on other dates, longer stays, or holidays with a different start / end day format, we can arrange custom road cycling packages for groups of 6 or more.
See here for more details of our custom trips for clubs and groups >>>
Bike Weekender ‘Lite’ Packages Include:
Ensuite Accommodation at one of our hotels in or around Le Grand Bornand
Airport Transfers from Geneva – pickup at 17:30 or 21:45 for arrivals
Airport Transfers to Geneva – depart resort at 14:00 or 17:30
Half-board – hearty, plentiful, cyclist-friendly food
The dedicated service of our professional, friendly team
Not Included in the Package Price:
Flights – arranged independently. See here for full details
Bike Hire – quality options available. See here for full details
Lunches whilst out riding – bought directly
Additional drinks from the hotel bar
All prices are per-person, based on 2 guests sharing a twin / double room.
Please contact us for details of single occupancy options.
Interested in a ‘Lite’ Break in the Northern French Alps?
If you’d like to join one of the dates above, just send through our booking form here… we’ll be in touch by email shortly to confirm your reservation.
If you have any questions about any aspect of our road cycling holidays, our package, accommodations or the areas we operate in, just send through an enquiry form here, call us on +44 845 557 5983 or email info@bikeweekender.com
Looking to book a 'Lite' Northern Alps break?
Just email us at info@bikeweekender.com , call us on +44 (0) 845 557 5983 or
