Alps
19 August - 29 August 2012
New for 2012 : The “50 Cols Challenge” Ride stages 1-5, or 6-10. For those thinking ten days might be too much of a good thing! Easy travel arrangements for arrival or departure on the Rest Day. For more details : info@lafuga.cc
The Alps Cent Cols Challenge :This is original CCC route. It climbs many of the better-known climbs on the way down to Nice, from where it heads west to Provence via the Alpes-Maritimes. Once over the ‘Giant of Provence’, the departments of the Drome and Vercors provide some spectacular settings for the most dramatic part of the route. The ‘Circuit de la Chartreuse’ is the gateway back to the Hautes Alpes and the mountain top event finish above Lake Annecy.
“What an event! Up before 6.30am most days, rarely checking into the next hotel before 18.00hrs. If you get a chance to ride this stunning event, take it! Train first, mind. Possibly the best sportive in the world!”
Book the Alps Challenge with La Fuga“Living the life of a Pro for ten days was a real eye-opener… I have nothing missing in my life and yet I just want to relive those ten days over and over again.”
Stage One: Annecy to Albertville
Stats: 175 km (4,200 metres climbing)
Main climbs: Forclaz, Epine, Plan Bois,Croix Fry, Aravis, Saisies. (9 cols in total)
Description: From the shores of Lake Annecy to the heart of the High Alps. Straight into a tough mix of classic and lesser known climbs, this day prepares riders for the Giants awaiting them on Day Two. The steep Plan Bois climb is the first real challenge of the stage, but a great lunch spot awaits at the top with views across the valley to the Col de Croix Fry. Picture-postcard Alpine charm.
Stage Two: Albertville to Briancon
Stats: 190km (4,600 metres climbing)
Main climbs: Glandon, Croix de Fer, Mollard, Telegraphe, Galibier. (10 cols in total)
Description: A classic, covering most of the Marmotte route and more. Those who survive this stage stand a chance of getting to Annecy.
Stage Three: Briancon to Sisteron
Stats: 188 km (3,400 metres climbing)
Main climbs: Izoard, Pontis, Fillys, Sagnes. ( 9 cols in total)
Description: Leaving the high Alps via Izoard, this is a transition stage with slightly less climbing. After the rugged alpine mountains we get our first sniff of the sweet air of Provence
Stage Four: Sisteron to Valberg
Stats: 185 km (4,400 metres climbing)
Main climbs: Fontbelle, Corobin, Champs, Valberg (9 cols in total)
Description: A stunning climb through a ‘geological park’ opens the day, before descending to Digne-les-Bains. The route then crosses a beautiful and remote part of Haute Provence, taking in two unforgettable climbs. The Col de Valberg provides the first of two dramatic mountain-top stage finishes on the event.
Stage Five: Valberg to Carros-Nice
Stats: 215 km ( 4,200 metres climbing)
Main climbs: St Martin, Turini, Banquettes, Braus, Madone de Giorbio, Eze. ( 17 cols in total)
Description: Into the Cote d’Azur in style. Some classic climbs, amongst many, many smaller ones, make up this hard but unforgettable route ** which leads us to a balcony- view of Monaco before plunging down to the Mediterranean.
Day Six: Rest Day at Carros-Nice
Stats:
Main climbs:
Description: Down to the local bike shop, or to the beach. But there will also be a hilly loop on offer to those who wish to keep their legs pumping!
Stage Six: Carros-Nice to Palud-sur-Verdon
Stats: 225 km ( 4,100 metres climbing)
Main climbs: Vence, Bleine, St Barnabé. Baous ( 9 cols in total)
Description: Once we have climbed out of Nice and onto the plateau behind Vence, we explore more remote corners of hilly Haute Provence. The stage finishes with a spectacular loop that climbs up above the Gorges du Verdon with interesting, some may will say terrifying, views of the whole area.
Stage Seven: Palud-s-Verdon to Bedoin
Stats: 210 km (4,000 metres climbing)
Main climbs: Mort d’Imbert, Montagne de la Lure, Homme Mort, Abeilles. (9 cols in total)
Description: From the Gorges du Verdon to Manosque, Forcalquier and Sault. We leave Provence for the Luberon, making our way towards the Ventoux, via it’s little sister mountain of La Lure: a daunting test before the Big Brother the next day.
Stage Eight: Bedoin to Vassieux-en-Vercors
Stats: 210 km (5,000 metres climbing)
Main climbs: Ventoux, Soubeyrand, Roustans, Pennes, Rousset. (14 cols in total)
Description: Once over the Ventoux we cross the dramatic Drome region via several very challenging climbs. The really hard climbing days are back again, and are here to stay until the end of the tour. A dramatic end to this stage…
Stage Nine: Vassieux –en-Vercors to Montmelian
Stats: 215 km (4,200 metres climbing)
Main climbs: La Machine, Croix, Pra l’Etang, Romeyere, Granier ( 16 cols in total)
Description: The mineral beauty of the Drome is replaced here by the immense and beautiful expanses of the Vercors with some hard climbs again on the menu. Towards the end of the day we reach the Chartreuse region: there is an alpine scent in the air again.
Stage Ten: Montmelian to Annecy
Stats: 130 km (3,700 metres climbing)
Main climbs: Marocaz, Pres, Plainpalais, Mont Revard, Semnoz ( 6 cols in total)
Description: The shortest day of the tour, but hardly an easy run-in. Some hard climbing up to the Mont Revard where the reward of stunning views over the Lac du Bourget will bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Almost there! But not quite: we have the local five-star climb to finish our climbing on in glorious style – the Crete du Semnoz. After which it really is all downhill into the charming town of Annecy itself.
