For those wanting a harder ride in France

[toolonglegs]

http://www.hauteroute.org/en/
If I am under 80kgs by next July I might be tempted!.

[MichaelB]

Below is a summary of the seven stages of the Haute Route 2012:
• Stage 1: Sunday 19th August: Geneva - Megève (120km, 2700m+)
• Stage 2: Monday 20th August: Megève - Courchevel (105km, 2700 m+)
• Stage 3: Tuesday 21st August: Courchevel - Alpe d'Huez (136km, 4700 m+)
• Stage 4: Wednesday 22nd August: Alpe d'Huez Time Trial (14km, 1000 m+)
• Stage 5: Thursday 23rd August: Alpe d'Huez - Risoul (136km, 3700 m+)
• Stage 6: Friday 24th August: Risoul - Auron (98km, 3200 m+)
• Stage 7: Saturday 25th August: Auron - Nice (171km, 2900 m+)





And only 1200 Euro entry fee Not sure what is included.

One stage would be gtreat, but the 7 in a row And Stage 3 ....

[Chuck]

<A class=vglnk title="Link added by VigLink" href="http://www.hauteroute.org/en/" rel=nofollow target=_blank vglnk_1321409406898="2">http://www.hauteroute.org/en/</A>
If I am under 80kgs by next July I might be tempted!.

Do it and you'll be sub 80kgs by the finish for sure

[toolonglegs]

Yup expensive...doesn't include accomadation (thats another 750 to a 1000)...but does include below.
Was a lot cheaper last year but was heavily subsidized in its first year.
Not for me though...but would be god to lose that weight! .

The individual entry fee for the 2012 edition of the Haute Route is €1200.

The Entry Fee for 2012 includes many benefits (*new or improved):

• 1 complete set of Haute Route cycling kit
(1 jersey, 1 bib-shorts*, 1 arm-warmers*, 2 bottles*)
• 1 Haute Route travel bag with wheels* (120 litres)
• 1 Haute Route ‘race day’ back pack*
• 1 small rubbish bag*
• Presence of hundreds of marshals along the route
• Presence of motorcycle escorts (1 for every 15 riders)
• Presence of safety vehicles (including a bus at the back)
• A professional medical team present at all times
• Mechanical support from Mavic both at each race village and inside the race
• A timing system for the start* and finish of each stage
• A live tracking system for all 7 stages*
• Personalised* frame plate and 2 sets of official numbers for shirts
• Daily rankings (Solo, Team, Best Climber*)
• Dailly Awards Ceremony
• Pit stops and Refreshment breaks (solid and liquid) during each stage*
• Energy products available during each stage
• A hot meal at the finish of each stage*
• An aperitif* and mandatory safety briefing early evening (from 18/08 to 24/08)
• Closing party held in Nice* (25/08)
• Transportation of official travel bag from the start to finish of each stage
• Transportation of bike bag/cover from Geneva to Nice
• Official ‘race day’ backpack available at the end of each stage*
• Laundry service for jersey and bib-shorts mid-week
• Massage service and recovery area at the finish of each stage*
• Access to a secure bike park at the finish of each stage
• Hot showers at the finish of each stage
• Access to a bike wash area at the finish of each stage
• An online detailed Road-Book of the race and each of the 7 stages
• 2 copies of the Official Haute Route Magazine (English/French)
• Download of the official iPhone / iPad App*
• Videos produced daily (shown during the safety briefing each evening)
• A medal for each finisher
• A souvenir prize for each finisher*
• Personalised certificate of the race available to download

[MichaelB]

• A medal for each finisher

Betta be a gold one !!!

[Daccordi Rider]

That's pretty much the next tour I want to do.


http://www.morethan21bends.com/routedesgrandesalpes.asp

Only $1500 pounds all in!!

[toolonglegs]

Yeah that's a pretty good price for a 10 day trip at that time of the year... misses out Alpe D'huez though?.
If you are going to do it with a mate or two I would prefer to do it myself though and get more riding in in the Bourg D'oisan area and also hit Ventoux etc.
The amount of ginormous climbs in that small area is insane!.
But those tours are really good when you are flying solo and short on time.

[Daccordi Rider]

I've done Huez and those around Bourg so like the idea of a tour the length of the alps. Would like to see Bonnette in there though!

The wife wants to do that climb, Punta Veleno, the Giro d Trentino went up which I think goes off Lake Guardia. Zoncolan is near there as well. Want to come with us.

[toolonglegs]

I think there is actually a paris nice cyclo sportive as well... I remember running into them ( nearly literally ) wile descending one of my local climbs. Looked really well supported.
Yeah would love to get over into Italy to do those biggies... I am not much of a climber but do enjoy the scenery .

[polkadotcycling]

There's also the RAID Alpine that goes from Geneva to Nice or Nice to Geneva. It's a recognised randonee that you can do that follows most of the route of the Grand Alpes including alot of the famous Tour climbs. You get a medal for completion too! There's lots of companies out there that do this, or you can do it on your own and just apply to the organiser for a 'Carnet' that you get stamped on route.