Dutch Wheelman Bicycle Tours

We all knew that climbing three of the highest rated climbs in the Tour de France in one day would make this a really hard day of cycling, and we were not disappointed. We started with the Col de Madelaine, a 15-mile climb. After a very difficult descent, we started the next climb of the Col de Croix de Fer, which is 18 miles and just as challenging. This would have been enough for most people, but we decided to do one more, and many questioned our sanity. The last climb was the famous Alpe d’Huez climb, which is 21 hairpin turns up a steep cliff. All this put us in the saddle for close to 10 hours and gave us a deeper appreciation of the Tour de France riders. Altogether we climbed over 15,000 feet and a total distance of 45 miles of climbing. Some of us burned up to 10,000 calories. An exhausting but exhilarating day that we will remember for the rest of our lives.

Today we headed towards the Alps.Leaving Geneva we headed South…destination Albertville,which hosted the Winter Olympics in 1996. Our ride took us by beautiful Lake Annecy which was packed with everyone soaking up the French sun. There were lots of motorboats, para sailers, and sunbathers. Getting closer to Albertville, the mountains began to appear. What a GORGEOUS site. Gluttons for punishment, Glen, Steve, and Thor challenged themselves by climbing Col de Les Saisies. It was a little more than they bargained for.

Sunday: We had a great trip to Geneva. The flights were good and almost on time. Packing the 15 bike boxes into the bus and checking them in was the biggest part. We arrived at the hotel around noon, put the bikes together and checked into the rooms. There are double rooms and one triple.
Since it was still really early several of us went on a short ride to the lake. The bike paths are nice, but not relaxing. You constantly have to watch for cars parked alongside, people walking, or bikes coming the other way,… Glen had the first flat.
For dinner we took the train downtown. We split into several groups. I ended up eating in a restaurant on the lake. They had the most expensive burgers I have seen (28sfr), I had a good salad for only 23 suisse francs. On this first day we needed Suisse francs, after that it will be all Euros. On the way back we had some good Movenpick ice cream. The light in the room only works when you put your card into a box at the door. It took us a while to figure that out.
Monday: After a pretty good night in our 3-bed room (a two person room with an additional bed, that took up all of the remaining floor space), we had a great breakfast with lots of coffee, cereal, cheese, rolls, croissants, juice,… It is beautiful weather and we are all excited and nervous about the first day riding.

August 7-19, 2010

Members of the Dutch Wheelman cycling club are finishing up their last training rides and packing their bags for the tour of a lifetime as they retrace many of the stages from the 2010 Tour de France with the addition of Mt. Ventoux and Provence.

Towns include: Albertville, Alpe D’huez, Gap, Carpentras and Briancon.

Climbs include: Col De Madeleine, Croix De Fer, Alpe D’Huez, Ventoux, Col D’Isoard, Sestriere and the Galibier, among others.

Visit us often as we post tales of our trip and images each day of the tour.