Haute Savoie Etape Training Weekend

Fully supported performance training; four classic cols; ideal preparation for the Etape du Tour

This intense weekend ride through the beautiful Haute Savoie region, from Chamonix to Annecy and back, crosses hallowed cycling country: Col des Aravis and Col de la Colombière regularly feature in the Tour de France and the Dauphiné Libéré stage races. If you need to hone your training for a big cyclosportive, or merely feel the urge to pit yourself against some legendary mountain climbs, the Haute Savoie is the place.

' Days like these are what cycling is all about '  Pro-Cycling magazine

In two days, this ride covers 220km, with over 4000m of climbing, through some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the Alps. GPM 10 provides the level of logistical support and mechanical back up commonly afforded to pro-cyclists, leaving you to focus on one thing – the riding.

' Undoubtedly the best three days I’ve had a on a bike'  - Alex Balfour, Head of New Media Organising Committee of the 2012 London Olympics.

Note: The group size is limited to 10 to ensure the highest levels of service and support are provided.

Friday

Arrive at Geneva airport in the afternoon or evening. You will be met and driven in a shuttle to Chamonix: transfer time approx. 90 minutes. Unpack bikes and gather for dinner in the highly acclaimed restaurant at the Hotel Eden.

Saturday - Chamonix to Annecy 98km

After breakfast, we set up and check the bikes before setting off at a steady pace on the first, gentle section down the Chamonix Valley. The first real climb begins in Saint Gervais – it’s 9km to reach the ski resort of Megève. After a short climb and a traverse across the valley, the main business of the day begins: Col des Aravis (1,498m) is a tough, second-category, 12km climb that winds initially between two impressive mountains, through the steep-sided Gorge de L’Arondine, before opening out into a wonderful alpine landscape. Most recently, Col des Aravis featured in the 2006 Tour de France; Lance Armstrong used to train here. The support vehicle will take unwanted jerseys and refresh your water bottles as you climb. Lunch is served on the top of the Col. The views across the Aravis mountain range to the Mont Blanc massif are superb.

From the Aravis, the route descends briefly and climbs again for another 5km to the Col de la Croix Fry (1477m), which last featured in Stage 17 of the 2004 Tour de France when Armstrong famously beat Kloden by an inch. This sets up a breathtaking, 14km descent to Thônes, home of Reblochon cheese – the locals’ answer to Powerbars. The final 18km undulates all the way to Annecy the 'Venice of the Alps' - capital of the Haute Savoie and base for the night. If you need to stretch your legs off the bike, there’ll be time to walk around the medieval arcades and alleys of the old town before dinner.

Sunday - Annecy to Chamonix 125km

The route begins with a gentle climb to the Col de Bluffy followed by a spectacular descent to the glittering, mountain-edged Lake Annecy before the climb to the Col du Marais (843m). After a short descent back to Thônes, the real leg-breaker begins. Col de la Colombière (1618m) is a justifiably famous alpine pass connecting the Arve and Borne valleys. The climb has featured in the Tour de France many times, most recently in 2007, and you’ll know why: it’s 20km from Thônes and there’s little respite, least of all at the end of the climb where it’s 10%, through a series of long hairpin bends. Again, the views are spectacular.

A thrilling, 17km, technical descent brings us down to the town of Cluses and lunch. The next 20km section on flat roads leads to the final, and much gentler, 24km climb back up the valley to Chamonix, on quiet back roads with views of the Mont Blanc range. There will be time to shower and pack before transferring to Geneva airport for your evening flight back to the UK departing 9.00pm onwards