RCT 2010 MARMOTTE RACE & CLASSIC CLIMBS CYCLING TRIP
***NEW 2010 ITINERARY!***

Day 1: Monday, June 28th

We arrive at Lyon Saint-Exupery Airport to begin our adventure in the French Alps. Our team will meet you at Lyon airport, load your bikes and luggage, and drive you to our chalet in Villard-Reculas. Relax and unwind at "Il Fera Beau Demain", our base for the next seven nights. Depending on arrival times, you might have the chance to recon the last five switchbacks of Alpe d'Huez above our chalet, for a taste of what is to come! We will enjoy a welcome dinner together at Bonsoir Clara, the chalet's fantastic in-house restaurant. Our staff will help you assemble your bike and have you ready to go for your first morning ride in one of the world's most challenging mountain ranges. (D)

Day 2: Tuesday, June 29th

We ride out from our chalet down Villard Reculas road, and start climbing the Col d'Ornon (11km @ 5.8%) which has featured several times as a pre-cursor to Alpe d'Huez and Deux Alpes climbs during the Tour de France. There are great views of the village of Villard-Reculas on the descent back to Bourg d'Oisans. In Bourg d'Oisans, we will have lunch and a chance to look around this very interesting French town and mecca of international cycling. Those who wish to sag back home are welcome to throw their bikes on the van roof; otherwise, Alpe d'Huez (14km @ 8%) is always an option each afternoon for those wishing to ride back to Villard-Reculas. We will spend the evening comparing rides, exchanging war stories, enjoying some great local wine and a wonderful dinner at Bonsoir Clara (=56km round-trip). (B)(D)

Day 3: Wednesday, June 30th

Today we begin our recon of the legendary Marmotte race (a.k.a. the toughest one-day amateur bike race in the world!). We are offering an in-depth study of the Marmotte route broken up over two days. Part I of Marmotte prep begins with a ride down Villard-Reculas road, but this time we turn right at the bottom and head north, following the exact Marmotte route up the Col du Glandon towards the Col de la Croix de Fer (27km @ 4.5%). At the top of the Croix de Fer, we descend for 30 fabulous kilometres into the Maurienne Valley. We cross the valley to the town of Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, where we will break for lunch. The Col du Telegraphe (12km @ 7.3%) winds its way in dizzying hairpins through lush forest up out of Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne. There are rewarding views of the entire valley from the summit, and from there we descend for 5km into the beautiful ski village of Valloire. At this point we jump in the vans for a sag ride home (and a preview of what is to come in Part II!). We will enjoy a relaxing evening dinner back at our beautiful chalet (=97km to Valloire). (B)(D)

Day 4: Thursday, July 1st

Today we continue with Part II of Marmotte prep. We head out in the sag vans to Valloire, and from there begins the arduous Col du Galibier climb (18km @ 7%). Only the birds are around to keep you company through the wild, rugged countryside up to the often snowy summit - be sure to bring your warm clothes! From the top of the Galibier, the road plunges back down the Col du Lautaret, and you will enjoy a stunning descent almost the entire the way back to Bourg d'Oisans. After lunch in Bourg d'Oisans, and in the spirit of the real race, we end the day with the (in)famous 21-hairpin ascent to the fabulous ski village of Alpe d'Huez (14km @ 8%). We descend back down to a wonderful dinner celebrating our completion of this challenging route.(=82km) (B)(D)

Day 5: Friday, July 2nd

There is a fabulous artisans' market in Alpe d'Huez on Friday mornings, so today is a good day to rest up, see some local sights, and get ready for tomorrow. Take some time to wander the market, enjoy the mountain atmosphere, and do some shopping for the folks back home. There is a cable car from the village of Alpe d'Huez up to the summit of Pic Blanc (3330m) for a great bird's-eye view of the region. At the evening meal, we will distribute the race packets and make sure everyone's bikes are in top shape for tomorrow's race. We highly recommend a pre-dinner jacuzzi, pool, and sauna to relax any tired muscles, and an early bedtime for a good night's rest. (B)(D)

Day 6: Saturday, July 3rd

We will have an early start today to eat a good breakfast before crossing Summer Road, descending Alpe d'Huez, and joining the throng of excited cyclists at the Marmotte starting line in Bourg d'Oisans. We will next see you at the top of the Col du Glandon, where you will be supplied with anything you are lacking, and if necessary, newspaper padding for the cold descent into the Maurienne Valley. Once you reach Valloire, you will see us again on your way to the Galibier for any re-fueling/clothing/mechanical checks. We wish you all the best and hope to see you next on top of Alpe d'Huez (=188km to the top of Alpe d'Huez)! (B)(D)

Day 7: Sunday, July 4th

Today we have a chance to ride the beautiful Chamrousse area, just west of our valley. This was a Tour de France mountain-top finish town in 2001 - a Time Trial from Grenoble to the ski resort, won by Lance Armstrong. We begin with a short sag ride, winding through the Romanche Valley to Vizille. In this famous birthplace of the French Revolution, we mount our bikes and after a short warm-up, begin the gradual climb (19km @ 6.5%) to the Chamrousse ski station. We will stop for lunch at one of the beautiful Chamrousse restaurant terraces, enjoying the panoramic view of Grenoble. The descent is an absolute gem, on big, wide, sweeping roads with great views of the valley below and the imposing snow-covered Alps to the south. At the base, in Uriage-Les-Bains, we continue through flat cornfields and idyllic French farmland to where we began in Vizille. Upon our return to the chalet, it's sadly time to pack up our bikes and get ready for tomorrow's departure. Tonight over a farewell dinner we say goodbye to new friends, trade our cycling experiences, and perhaps plan to meet up again next year(=46km). (B)(D)

Day 8: Monday, July 5th

After breakfast this morning, we depart for Lyon airport, bidding you farewell and a good trip home. (B)