The Alpine Escape - Road - June 2024
The Alpine Escape - Road - June 2024
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ESCAPE DATES : JUNE 9TH TO 15TH 2024
The Col du Galibier is Back!
Ride Epic Cols with the BoC Team
The Alpine Escape is the original BoC Escape. Since 2018 we've been operating this event, and for good reason. With an amazing choice of climbs on our doorstep, 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 back for 2024 - the Col du Telegraphe and Col du Galibier.
Fully Supported
From the moment you arrive in Geneva, you will have nothing to think about other than riding and relaxing in our Alpine guesthouse. We'll provide everything for you, including airport transfers, daily cooked breakfasts and three course dinners with our in house chefs, energy drinks and bars, route guidance and van support on each ride, as well as Band of Climbers cycling kit.
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 11am. 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 our bikes and have an easy afternoon spin up our first climb to get the legs moving after your flights.
A three course dinner with wine is served at the chalet each evening around 7:30pm.
Distance : 41km : Elevation 1200m.
Day 2 : 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 the border into Italy and back.
We begin with a long and steady 35km climb of the Col du Petit St Bernard. At almost 5% all the way up, it's a gradual welcome to the Alps, before the steep stuff begins later in the day.
After we leave 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 super steep climb of Colle San Carlo, with an average gradient of 10% for 10km.
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. We come back via a slight detour down the 'Pink Road' to get familiar with it before we climb this section tomorrow.
Distance : 133km : Elevation 3200m.
Day 3 : Europe's Highest Double
A new route for our 2024 Alpine Escape, today we climb both sides of Europe's Highest Paved Col, the massive Col de l'Iseran. At 2770m, the Iseran is a true giant. We begin our day with a drive to the ski resort of Val d'Isere. We begin our ride here, to avoid the heavy traffic on the slower slopes.
We climb right from the start, with a 14km ascent of the northern side of the Iseran, before we drop down to Bonneval Sur Arc for a coffee stop on the southern side. From here, we turn back, climb the much tougher southern side, back to the summit.
We then face a 30km 'rolling descent' before adding one final climb to the legs, the steep Pink Road. No trip to the Alps is complete without climbing this section, and today is the day.
Distance : 114km: Elevation 2800m.
Day 4 : The rest day
Today we won't venture too far from the chalet, staying at a much lower elevation, riding one of our favourite climbs in the region, Notre Dame du Pre, which has featured twice in the Tour de France, including in 2023. A shorter day, we've found adding an 'easier day' helps prepare the body for the 4000m queen stage to follow.
Distance : 68km : Elevation 1700m + option to add a further 12km climb
Day 5 : The Queen Stage - Galibier
As Queen Stages go, this is a big one. Today we face 3 legendary climbs in a new route for 2024. First up is The Col du Telegraphe, followed by the massive Col du Galibier. A huge descent to Bourg d'Oisans down the Col du Lautaret follows, before we face one final climb of the Col de la Croix de Fer, with a descent of the Col du Glandon to Le Chambre.
A point to point ride, our day begins and ends with a 1 hour drive. First to the foot of the Telegraphe, before we ride back to Le Chambre, for a ride home in the support van.
This new route for 2024 is one we're super excited about and we can't wait to ride it with you.
Distance : 150km : Elevation 4100m
Day 6 : The Beautiful Roselend
For our final ride, we 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 and 2023 Tour de France.
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 : 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. Any return flight should be after 9.30am.
This trip is limited to just 12 places.
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
What is not included?
- Flights
- Insurance
- Spare parts or equipment
- Medical Cover
- Bike hire
- Coffee or cafe-bought snacks/lunch during rides
- Additional nights accommodation
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 £1850.00 per person. £200 non-refundable deposit is payable upon booking your place, with the balance of £1650 to be paid 14 weeks before the Escape begins.
All prices include VAT and taxes where applicable. For any questions about the trip, please email us at hello@bandofclimbers.com.
Recommended Flight Info
Arrivals : Please fly into Geneva Airport BEFORE 11:00am on Sunday 9th June 2024, in order to join our scheduled transfer for our riders at circa 11:30am. If you cannot find a flight that lands before 11:00am. We suggest flying in a day early, on the 8th, and staying in an airport hotel overnight (not included).
Departures : Please book a return flight AFTER 09.30am from Geneva Airport on Saturday 15th June to your chosen destination. Our scheduled transfer is based on the earliest flight time of all guests. But your flight should not be before 09.30am due to the transfer time to the airport. Any flights booked before 09.30am will require a private transfer at an additional cost of £300.
Refunds and Cancellations
Read our guest, and organiser refund POLICY HERE.
FAQ's
HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?
HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?
BoC Escapes are not races, they're an adventure. We ride socially, with a cafe/coffee stop midway through each ride.
That said, BoC Escapes are tough. You'll ride 6 back to back big days with up to 4000m of climbing (10,000ft) per day.
We would suggest you should be capable of climbing for at least 90 minutes at a gradient of 7% without stopping. Average speeds are very difficult to gauge, but most riders on our Escapes will average at least 10kph per hour (6mph) on a climb of 7%. Some will ride much quicker of course, but you are free to ride at your own pace.
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 guides will be on the road with you at all times.
We aim to ride as a group, although on long climbs we usually split up, before regrouping at the summits, or cafe stops if the temperatures at the summits are too cold.
Of course, some riders will be faster than others, but we try to 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. It's a chance to test your own legs at your own pace.
CAN I ATTEND AS A SOLO RIDER?
CAN I ATTEND AS A SOLO RIDER?
Absolutely! Around 95% of all our Escape riders come on their own. Making new friendships is a big part of our Escapes. This is why we cap numbers at a maximum of 16 riders.
HOW DO SHARED ROOMS WORK?
HOW DO SHARED ROOMS WORK?
1. We do not mix males and females in shared rooms (unless booked as a couple or on request by both parties)
2. All rooms are twin beds, with en suite bathrooms
3. Rooms are allocated at random, unless booked as pairs or couples.
4. We can allocate rooms to friends on request (email us once booked)
5. If we have one single female, on a trip of 10 male riders, the female will be given a single room, to avoid sharing with a male (unless requested). Likewise, if we have a trip with 10 females, a solo male will be given a single room.
6. 95% of our guests come as solo riders. Making new friendships is a big part of our Escapes.
SINGLE ROOMS
SINGLE ROOMS
Single rooms are available in some Escape Destinations with a supplement of £250. Single rooms must be booked with your deposit as a single room may not be available closer to the escape.
WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?
WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?
You will have 2 or 3 BoC ride guides on the road with you at all times. We'll ride with you, and ensure no rider is left behind.
We also have a support van on most Escapes (Excluding Mallorca) which carries tools, spares, and your bad weather kit, plus energy gels and food. So you don't need to carry anything.
If your legs decide to give up, or you need a rest, you are welcome to ride in the van and miss a climb or section if you need to, or end your ride early.
CAN I HIRE A BIKE?
CAN I HIRE A BIKE?
We can help you to rent a road bike in all of our Escape Destinations. We do not rent bikes ourselves, but we have recommended partners in each destination and we can assist in the rental, pickup and return of your bike.
