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Tour de France 2021
7-day Watch and Ride Cycling Holiday
Tour de France 2021 – French Alps Cycling Break
Thursday 1st – Thursday 8th July
Come and watch the World’s most famous Cycling Race – from our doorstep!
The Tour de France route 2021 is once again set to be a simply incredible route for us here at Bike Weekender. The oldest and most celebrated of the Grand Tours, the Tour de France requires no introduction in the world of cycling.
The Tour heads to the Alps at the end of week one for two gruelling mountain stages featuring some of our favourite local climbs making it possible to experience both stages at first hand. If you want to experience this gruelling race up close, there is no better place to be! Come and experience the buzz of watching up to 3 live stages – Albertville hosts the depart to kick off week two – in the stunning Northern Alps, whilst challenging yourself by riding some of the actual cols made famous by the Tour for yourself!
Click on the Details/Itinerary tab for more information about the rides you could be ticking off this summer…
We are offering a classic weekend package along with two ‘special’ packages – a mid- week three day break and a weeklong package – from our home base in the Aravis. The Aravis Lodge is the perfect ‘home from home’ cycling base from which to experience some incredible alpine riding whilst enjoying the attentive service of our team in the cosy surroundings of the lodge.
You will be accompanied throughout your break by one of our local guides in a minibus – this is our playground – we live, work and play in this area, so we know all of the quiestest and most scenic roads to ride on, the best coffee/lunch stops and those totally Instagrammable spots for a quick selfie to show off your achievements (and incredible views) to those back home.
The Lake Annecy – Aravis region in the northern French Alps is a fantastic cycling destination; frequently featuring in the Tour de France, often hosting the Étape du Tour – most recently in 2020 -, and also playing host to the Criterium du Dauphiné on a regular basis.
If you are a cycling enthusiast, keen to experience the racing calendar’s most celebrated race at first hand as well as testing yourself by riding some of the Tour’s most iconic climbs, our Tour de France trips are not to be missed!
Your riding will feature amazing scenery and climbs, including the Col de la Colombiere, Col des Aravis, Col de la Forclaz and the Col des Saisies, along with the little-known Col de l’Arpettaz with its 42 switchbacks and superb views of Mont Blanc.
Rides are typically around 70km – 110km with between 1500m and 3750m of climbing.
And if your legs are feeling it a few days in our support vehicle will be waiting for you on each col with water, snacks and the option of a lift home if you need it.
If you choose to join us on the weekend break you will get to spend some time at Le Grand Bornand to experience the excitement of the race finish at first hand.
Our Dedicated Cycling Base – Lake Annecy / Aravis Mountains
Our base for your ‘watch & ride’ cycling holidays is the Aravis Lodge, in Saint Jean de Sixt: the home of Bike Weekender.
A charming Alpine farming village in the heart of the Aravis Mountains, yet only an hour’s transfer from Geneva airport, its location ensures varied cycling is possible with minimal hassle, all week long.
It’s a sociable chalet-hotel, offering great cyclist-friendly food, on-site bike hire, secure bike storage and a high level of personal service from our resident team, helping to make this a trip to remember for a long time to come!
Tour de France 2021 – 7-day French Alps Break
Thursday 1st – Thursday 8th July
To celebrate the Tour de France coming through the Northern Alps and spending 3 days on ‘home turf’, we have devised a number of special itineraries for you, to ensure that you experience the best the area has to offer, whilst getting up close to the Tour action.
You’ll be riding a number of famous Tour de France cols, on quiet, smooth Alpine roads. They are challenging and rewarding breaks featuring world-class riding through beautiful Alpine scenery.
You’ll stay at our home base, the Aravis Lodge, a comfortable home away from home in the centre of the traditional Alpine village of Saint Jean de Sixt.
As well as delicious, hearty food, you’ll find great bike facilities and dedicated service from our resident team.
This 7-day holiday has a very short airport transfer from Geneva, and full vehicle support for each day’s ride, giving you the most cycling possible.
Each day we’ll head out on the scheduled ride after breakfast at the Lodge. Lunch (not included in the package) is taken at cafés / restaurants along the ride route.
All rides are accompanied by our friendly and knowledgeable support team in the minibus, who will be equipped with plenty of drinks and snacks, spares, along with any gear you don’t want to carry, and shouting encouragement along the way.
They can also give you a ride back to base if the legs give up, allowing you to simply enjoy the experience.
‘Watch & Ride’ the Tour de France 2021 – Holiday Itinerary
Thursday 1st July – 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 2nd July – Lake Annecy loop ride
A spectacular ride to break the legs in! A stunning climb up to the Col de la Forclaz with its beautiful views across the lake before the fast descent back down to the cycle track around the lake and on to the stunning climb up to the Col de Leschaux.
The descent back down to the medieval town of Annecy is fabulous! We will stop for a well-deserved ice cream stop in the old town of Annecy. There is the option to call it a day in Annecy and jump in the van to avoid the steady 25km drag back up to base.
Ride distance = Up to 118km with 2582m ascent
Saturday 3rd July – the Aravis Loop
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 before heading in to Le Grand Bornand to watch the end of stage 8 at the finish line.
Ride distance = 89km with 2556m ascent
Sunday 4th July – Off to watch the Tour de France
An opportunity to watch and enjoy all the atmosphere and razzamatazz of the Tour’s publicity caravan and to watch the Peloton in motion.
After warming the legs up on the climb up through La Clusaz up to the Col des Aravis, we’ll descend down to Flumet before tackling the climb up to Saisies where we will watch the Tour come through. Once the roads reopen, we will descend to Crest Voland down the road the pros have just climbed and on to Ugine.
A climb up the Col de l’Epine and over the Col de Marais should have us back at base in time to enjoy an apero.
Ride distance =100km with total climbing 2520m
Monday 5th July – Col de la Colombière Loop with Mont Saxonnex
Today’s ride is designed to spin the legs out and get rid of the lactate, whilst giving you more glorious Alpine scenery, and 1 more Tour de France -and one of our favourite! -col to tick of your list!
A 20km descent down through the gorge will set the legs up nicely to tackle the breath-taking climb up to Mont Saxonnex – tackled by the peloton on stage 8. A quick descent down the other side drops us on to the foot of the iconic Col de la Colombiere which we climb from the more challenging side before the thrilling descent back down to Le Grand Bornand and back to base.
Ride distance = 65.62km with 1997m ascent
Tuesday 6th of July – Off to see the Tour Départ
A ride out to Albertville to experience the razzamatazz of the rider’s signing on before the depart for the day’s stage to Valence.
We will ride over the Col de Marais and the Col de Tamié to take in the atmosphere of the the day’s start. Once the stage is underway, we will ride back from Albertville, taking in the Cote Hery-sur-Ugine and climbing the iconic Col des Aravis’ south side before descending back through La Clusaz and on to our base.
Ride distance = 110km with total climbing 2508m
Wednesday 7th of July – Semnoz
The focus of today’s ride is the often overlooked climb up Semnoz, the imposing mountain overlooking Lake Annecy.
After a rolling descent down to the medieval town of Annecy, we will tackle the relentless 17km climb up to the Crêt de Chatillon atop Semnoz. After regrouping for a coffee and taking in the views across the northern French alps, we will descend the 24km back down to the lake shore to join the fabulous cycle track to the foot of the climb up to the Col de Marais after which we will descend down to Thones for the final climb of the day back up to base.
Ride distance = 112km with total climbing 2556m
Thursday 8th of July– Epine and Croix Fry loop
Departure day! Today’s ride is designed to spin the legs out and get rid of the lactate.
Retracing some of the previous day’s route in reverse, we will descend down to the valley to tackle the Col de Marais from Thones to descend down to the valley floor at St Ferriol. After a short section of flattish riding along the cycle path we will tackle the Col de l’Epine and the last few kilometers of the Col de Marais before dropping down to the foot of the last iconic climb of the break, the Col de la Croix Fry. Once conquered, a thrilling descent back down through La Clusaz and on to our base awaits.
Ride distance =72km with total climbing 1939m
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)
Please Note
The itinerary outlined is provisional, although it’s a very typical outline of the routes you can ride on a ‘Classic’ break. On rare occasions, we may have to modify this programme due to weather conditions, group ability, roadworks etc.
The Aravis Lodge – A Perfect Cycling Base
The Aravis Lodge is set up to cater to all of your cycling holiday needs, so make yourself comfortable and think of it as your home away from home.
The Aravis Lodge has 18 ensuite bedrooms, with all bathrooms having recently (2016) been fully renovated in a fresh, contemporary style. Most rooms are 2-person twin / doubles; there are also four larger family rooms, which sleep up to 4 in twin / double beds plus an adult-sized bunk bed.
The ground floor of the Lodge has a large dining and breakfast room, with tea and coffee available throughout the day. It also has a large, sunny lounge with comfy sofas, a smaller TV room with satellite TV and DVD player, and a large licensed bar. The bar has draught beers (Kronenbourg and Guiness) on tap along with a wide range of spirits, bottled beers and soft drinks.
On the basement level you will find the bike room and workshop. There is also a fully equipped gym and fitness room with CV and weights machines – in case you haven’t had enough exercise already. The modern sauna and massage room always seem to be much more popular!
Aravis Lodge 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 by a dedicated chef team, using local produce, and served at 1930 each day. Menus are planned with cyclists in mind, and will fill you up with the carbs you need for the next day’s riding.
Red and white table wine is included with dinner; additional drinks (draft and bottle beers, spirits and wine-list wines by the bottle) are available from the Aravis Lodge bar on a tab basis, charged on departure in Euros.
Find out more about the Aravis Lodge in the Northern French Alps here >>>
Tour de France 2021 – ‘Watch & Ride’ Cycling Holiday
Thursday 1st – Thursday 8th July
Special package price = £845pp
All prices are per-person, based on 2 guests sharing a room. Contact us for details of single occupancy options.
Inclusive package includes:-
- Transfers to / from Geneva Airport
- Ensuite accommodation at the cosy chalet-style Aravis Lodge, Saint Jean de Sixt (twin/triple rooms)
- Cyclist-focused breakfast and hearty 3-course evening meal, including red and white wine
- Fully supported rides – route marked, vehicle support, drinks and snacks etc.
- The dedicated service of our professional, friendly team
- Access to the in-house gym and sauna
Not included in the package price:-
- Flights to / from Geneva – arranged independently
- Bike hire – quality carbon road bike hire can be arranged with us from £140 for 4 days
- Lunches whilst out riding – bought directly
- Additional drinks from the Aravis Lodge bar – tabs charged on departure
- Post-ride massage (optional)
Airport Transfers
For Arrivals from Geneva Airport
Arrive on Thursday 1st July at Geneva Airport, by either 1730 for the first pick-up, or 2145 for the second.
For Departures from Geneva Airport
Thursday 8th July – departing our base at either 14:00 (for flights departing after 16:45) or 17:30 (for flights departing after 20:30).
Booking Process
Please sign up using the booking form below
Pay a deposit of £150pp once your reservation has been confirmed by email
The remaining balance will be due 6 weeks prior to the trip and you will receive an email reminder 1 week before it is due.
If you’d like to join us on this special Tour de France 2021 weeklong cycling holiday, please just click on the button below to access the booking form and 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
Bike Hire
The Aravis Lodge has the most convenient bike hire facilities of any of our locations – it’s mere steps away, on-site! You can grab a cup of tea (or a beer!) and head down to the Lodge basement on your arrival afternoon / evening, at your leisure, and get sorted with your bike and other kit from our comprehensive range of gear. For more details and full prices please see here >>>
Sauna
The Aravis Lodge has a sauna on the lower ground level, along with the on-site bike hire suite. The sauna is available to all guests in the afternoon and early evening.
Tour de France 2021
Weeklong ‘Watch & Ride’ Cycling Holiday
Questions about the Tour de France 2021 holiday package?
Just email us at info@bikeweekender.com , call us on +44 (0) 845 557 5983 or
