Conquer many of the most famous Alpine cols in this unforgettable cycling experience that takes you from Thonon Les Bains on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland through the French Alps, skirting the border of Italy on your way to Nice on the beautiful Mediterranean.

The Raid Alpine as the route from Geneva to Nice is known, is one of the most challenging and rewarding Raids, allowing you to experience the true contrasts and beauty of the Alps, from relaxing Alpine meadows to the extreme, rocky landscapes surrounding some of the most iconic climbs from the Tour de France. No other Raid takes in as many hors-category climbs as this one; cols include Col de la Colombiere, Col de l’Iseran, Col du Galibier, l’Alpe d’Huez, Col de l’Izoard passing the famous Fausto Coppi & Louison Bobet memorial on the Casse Desert and of course, the highest road pass in Europe, the testing Col de la Bonette, with a final climb up the Col d’Èze to finish.

We do the 770km route from Thonon Les Bains to Nice in seven days of riding, eight nights, with around 2,500m of climbing per day. The group is supported at all times by both a vehicle and rider. To get an idea of the scenery and terrain throughout the week, please see the photos from our 2018 and 2019 trips.

Price

£1,495 per person based on sharing a twin room in the hotels.

Single occupancy will be available, subject to availability, for an additional £245.

What’s included

• Transfers from Geneva airport and return to Nice airport, including bike transfer – see below for details of required flight times
• 8 nights half-board accommodation – bed, breakfast and evening meal
• Support vehicle throughout the trip
• Support cyclist on the road with you
• Luggage transfer between hotels
• Packed lunches on riding days
• Full information pack and gpx files

 
Full carbon hire bikes are also available for just £120 for the week if you prefer not to fly with your bike. All our hire bikes come with Shimano 105 groupsets, 34/50 compact chainsets and 11/32 cassettes.

Itinerary

• Arrival day: Arrive Geneva airport, transfer to Thonon Les Bains, build bikes, pre-ride briefing
• Ride Day 1: Thonon Les Bains to La Giettaz, including Col de la Colombiere, Col des Aravis
• Ride Day 2: La Giettaz to Val d’Isere, including Col des Saisies, Cornet de Roseland
• Ride Day 3: Val d’Isere to Valloire, including Col de l’Iseran, Col du Telegraph
• Ride Day 4: Valloire to La Grave, including Col du Galibier, l’Alpe d’Huez, Col de Sarenne
• Ride Day 5: La Grave to Risoul, including Col du Lauteret, Col de l’Izoard
• Ride Day 6: Risoul to Valdeblore, including Col de Vars, Col de la Bonette
• Ride Day 7: Valdeblore to Nice, including Col de Saint-Martin, Col de Turini, Col de St. Roch
• Departure day: Return transfers to Nice airport

What should I expect… and am I fit enough?

The route is designed to be challenging but very doable for a reasonably experienced cyclist. If you are a club or sportive rider and you put in the training, you will be fit enough. Stamina and determination are more important than speed because they are long days with lots of climbing, and you ride for seven days consecutively. You don’t need to have prior experience riding in the mountains, but you have to be a competent descender and strong enough to climb for a couple of hours at a time.

The Raid Alpine is a supported ride, and there will be a support vehicle and a support rider at all times to guide you through the route. We stop every day for a picnic lunch, and on some days an additional stop at a café may be possible for a coffee, crepes etc. Every rider will have the gpx files of the route (if they want them), but we recommend that the group rides together for the bulk of the flat/rolling terrain. It’s more sociable and enjoyable to ride with other people, and then everyone rides at their own pace on the climbs, regrouping at the top/bottom depending on the weather and temperature. Clothing, snacks, gels etc can be left in the support vehicle and collected as needed throughout the day.

Everyone hurts on the climbs, but the breath-taking scenery, the exhilarating descents, the camaraderie that forms through the week and the chance to relax and share stories over a drink and dinner every night make it all the more valuable. Along with the phenomenal sense of achievement when you arrive at the beach in Nice – where the water is warm and inviting after a week in the mountains!

For the best flavour of what’s involved, please have a look at the photos from our 2018 and 2019 trips.

The support vehicle is also always there, and so if you’re having an off-day or there is just one climb too many, you can always climb in the van.

If you have any questions about the recommended level of fitness or would like advice on a training plan, then please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with guidance.

Flights and airport transfers

Arrivals:

On the arrival day, we will collect you and your bike from flights landing in Geneva mid-afternoon.

Departures:

On departure day, we will be staying very close to Nice airport so you can book any return flight time from Nice airport to suit you.

For alternative flights, please check with us before booking to ensure we can accommodate the arrival/departure times.