JUNE 11TH TO 17TH 2023

THE ALPINE ESCAPE 2023

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Fully Supported

From the moment you arrive in Geneva, you will have nothing to think about other than riding and relaxing in our Alpine chalet. We'll provide everything for you, including airport transfers, daily cooked breakfasts and three course dinners with our in house chef, energy drinks and bars, route guidance and van support on each ride, as well as Band of Climbers cycling kit.

Epic Cols

This trip will allow you to ride not only the highest Cols of Europe, but we'll also take you on some hidden climbs and some of the most stunning routes in Europe. Our trip will also allow you to ride many of the climbs that have featured in the Alpine stages of the Tour de France and Etape du Tour in recent years, such as the Col de l’Iseran, Cormet de Roselend, Notre Dame du Pre, and the Col de la Madeleine.

The itinerary of the trip is as follows (although it is subject to change based on weather conditions and cols being open day to day)

Day 1 : Arrival : Arrive at Geneva Airport, at or before 11:30am. You will meet the BoC transfer team who will drive you and your bike to the chalet. (2.5hrs approx.) After arriving at the chalet, we'll have a light lunch, set up bikes and have an easy afternoon spin up through the quiet forest roads to Les Arcs 1800.

A three course dinner with wine is served at the chalet each evening around 7:30pm.

Distance : 41km : Elevation 1200m.

Day 2 : The Beautiful Roselend : 

After breakfast we'll head to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the French Alps. The stunning Cormet de Roselend to Beaufort and back via the brutally tough Col du Pré. A hard day today on climbs featured in the 2018 Tour de France.

The Roselend was unfortunately removed from the Tour in 2019 due to a Landslide. So you'll ride where the Tour couldn't that year. The Cormet de Roselend is our favourite climb in the French Alps, and we think you'll see why.

After the Roselend, we'll drop into Beaufort for the best cafe stop in the Alps, before riding over the lesser known Col du Saises on a loop which takes us back to Beaufort. We then hit the toughest climb of the day, the Col du Pré, before rejoining the Cormet de Roselend and ride back to Bourg St Maurice on the best descent in the Alps. 

Distance : 133km : Elevation 3900m.

Day 3 : Crossing into Italy : Today we'll ride many of the familiar routes of the Tour de France and the Criterium du Dauphine, as we cross our first border of the trip and ride from France into Italy and back. 

The Petit St Bernard can be climbed in two ways, the gentler way, or the shorter, steeper, and more scenic way via Montvalezan. That's the way we'll go, over the 'pink road' to La Rosiere.

From the ski resort of La Rosiere we'll ride to the summit of the Petit St Bernard, where the French and Italian Borders meet. We'll cross the border and descend the incredible Italian side of the climb into La Thuile. We'll regroup, and enjoy coffee and lunch in this scenic town. We'll then head further into Italy, and head on a loop over the steep climb of Colle San Carlo, with an average gradient of 10% for 9km. 

Once we pass the summit, we ride back to La Thuile, and back up the Italian side of the Col du Petit St Bernard, and back into France. A 35km descent awaits as we finish the ride with a coffee or beer in Bourg St Maurice. 

Distance : 133km: Elevation 3500m.

Day 4 : The rest day : Today we won't venture too far from the chalet, but we'll still ascend multiple climbs around the Tarentaise Valley. We've found adding a shorter rest day midweek keeps the legs fresh for two much bigger days to follow.

Distance : 50km : Elevation 1000m - + option to add a further 12km climb

Day 5 : The Adventure Day : A point to point ride from the Italian town of Susa, back to our chalet, over two massive Cols. We'll start early, with a 6.30am drive to Italy, then ride back into France.

Your challenge, is to ride back to the chalet. This means riding the beautiful Col du Mont Cenis on the Italian side, then descending into France, before climbing the tougher south side of the Col de l'Iseran, the highest paved Col in Europe, which the riders faced on the Tour de France in 2019 before the stage was aborted due to a landslide.

Once we crest the 2770m of the Iseran, we have a massive 50km descent back into Bourg Saint Maurice before a final spin along to Landry to the chalet. 

Distance : 116km : Elevation 3400m

Day 6 : The Col de la Madeleine : A new addition to the Alpine Escape for September 2022. A climb which is steeped in history as part of the Tour de France.

Our day sees us ride along the Tarentaise Valley to the west, through the town of Moutiers before we reach the foot of the massive Madeleine. A 25km climb averaging over 6%, but with 10% sections along the way. 

We'll have lunch at the summit cafe, at 2000m, and take in the views over the Maurienne valley, before descending back down the Madeliene, and retracing our ride to Moutiers. From here we then face our final climb of the week, and one of our favourites, Notre dame du Pre. A quiet, peaceful and switchback-filled climb that is always steeper than it looks. 

A final drop down into Landry awaits, for beer and celebrations after the final ride.

Distance : 125km : Elevation 3200m

Day 7 : Departure Day : We'll help you pack up your bikes, and after breakfast we'll transfer you back to Geneva Airport for your flight departures home. With all those memories to take with you.

This trip is limited to just 10 places.

We would suggest the trip is for intermediate or above level riders, or those with at least some experience of riding in the mountains and a decent level of fitness. At no point will any rider be left behind on their own, as our support vehicle and guides will be on the road with you at all times.

Of course, some riders will be faster than others, but we keep any waiting times between the first and last riders reaching the summits to a minimum. You are free to ride at your own speed. This is not a race trip. It's a chance to test your own legs at your own pace.

What is Included?

• 6 night stay in a shared twin room in our Alpine Chalet - complete with outdoor hot tub, and en suite bathrooms.
• Daily cooked breakfasts and three course dinners - cooked in house by our private chef, served with wine at dinner.
• In house laundry service
• Daily van supported rides and mechanical support
• Ride Guides from Band of Climbers
• All energy gels, drinks and bars
• Airport transfers to and from Geneva Airport in private vehicles
• 1 x Exclusive Band of Climbers Escapes Jersey
• 15% off lifetime discount on Band of Climbers Apparel

What is not included?

• Flights
• Insurance
• Spare parts or equipment
• Medical Cover
• Bike hire
• Coffee or cafe-bought snacks/lunch during rides

Please note all guests will be required to sign an entry waiver in order to take part in a Band of Climbers Escape. The waiver will be sent to you after your place on the Escape is confirmed. 

Costs

Total cost for the Escape is £1800.00 per person. £200 non-refundable deposit is payable upon booking your place, with the balance of £1600 to be paid 12 weeks before the Escape begins.

Please note The Alpine Escape is excluded from any sales. No discount codes can be applied.

All prices include VAT and taxes where applicable. For any questions about the trip, please email us at hello@bandofclimbers.com.

Refunds and Cancellations

This trip is backed by a 100% refund guarantee in the event of Band of Climbers having to cancel the trip due to Covid. Read our guest, and organiser refund POLICY HERE.