Road Cycling Holidays

1st Day – Intro ride, Col du Corbier.

With altitude and a lack of preparation comes accidents, which is why this circuit is a good ‘first dayer’ or Intermediate route. In parts on the D902 and D332, this route takes in the villages of Le Biot and La Forclaz. The lowest altitude is 767m (where you leave the D902), and the Col itself sits at 1237m.

2nd Day – The Megevette Circuit

Leaving Morzine on the early section of the 1st day’s route, this route heads up to the Col de Jambaz after approx. 15kms. From the Col the route follows a series of rolling descents into Mieussy village. Look out for incoming flyers, Mieussy is acknowledged as the birthplace of Paragliding. The route then heads back to Morzine along the Giffre valley – one of the most beautiful in the Alpes according to the Guides Bleu. Morzine is reached via Les Gets after the climb from Tanninges.

3rd Day – Circuit: Col de Joux Plane.

One of the Tour’s best known climbs, its steep and irregular terrain make it hard to get into a consistent rhythm; and famously caused Lance Armstrong some pain on the 2,000 Tour. The local Tourist Office rate the Col de Joux Plane circuit as ‘Very difficult’! Although not as long as the 2nd days circuit, Plane is classed as ‘challenging’ by most riders, with a hard start, most steeps around 10% and just 11m shy of 1km vertical. The restaurant at the top of the Col is a more than welcome respite, especially on cooler days, though the glorious descent into Morzine is reward enough!

4th Day – Staff day off.

The day to explore this superb road cycling area for yourself.

5th Day – Cross Border

Long Distance Raid Our friend from the first day, Col du Corbier, makes a re-appearance along with Pas de Morgins on this 130kms long route which takes in both French and Swiss roads. In fact, this route from Morzine to Lake Geneva (aka Lac Léman to the Swiss) only has those two climbs, though they are lengthy! Prior to the rolling descents to the lake shore’s 372m, you are offered some mouth-watering panoramas of two mountain ranges: the Dents du Midi and the Dents Blanche. The 25 or so kilometre return to Morzine starts by leaving Lake Geneva at Evian les Bains (of Bottled Water and Thermal Spa fame), and climbs steadily toward home.

6th Day – Col de la Ramaz.

Overlooked by the 1800 plus metre Mont Chery this is another of the areas classic Tour circuits. From Morzine through Les Gets it follows the occasionally busy D902. Turning onto the D238 at Pont des Gets D238 things become markedly quieter, but the first few steeps are ones to watch out for. The winter-time ski station of Le Praz de Lys offers a good break on the circuit before heading for the Col de l’Ecrennaz’ 1433 metres. From the top of the Col the route heads down towards the Giffre river, with a number of hairpins as Montriond is approached. The day finishes with a final climb back to Morzine.