Road bike France
Savoy Double Feature: Cols & Lakes
A double dose of Savoyard roving, with the most beautiful routes of 2 Alpine gems: Savoie and Haute SavoieRef CR42
Between Savoie and Haute Savoie, nestled between natural lakes with pure waters, green mountain pastures and pre-Alpine limestone peaks, lies an exceptional region for amateur cyclists of all levels. The starting point for this four-day loop is Annecy, whose reputation as a ‘cyclist's dream’ is well established. From its canals, narrow streets and breathtaking views of the lake, we set off on day 1 on varied routes to reach our destination, Lac du Bourget: either via the Massif des Bauges with its bucolic roads, or via the hills of the Alby-sur-Chéran and Rumilly area, which take us to the balconies of Lac du Bourget. The more adventurous can test themselves on the slopes of the Grand Colombier with its wonderful hairpin bends. On day 2, from Lac du Bourget, we climb up to the heart of the Bauges, tackling the cols in the south-west of the massif: Col des Près, Col du Plainpalais, Le Revard. We then head east to discover the rich terroir of the Combe de Savoie, with its forts, vineyards and authentic villages, before returning via the Col de Tamié and its abbey. We are again spoilt for choice when it comes to the itineraries for our last day: Col de la Forclaz de Montmin, Semnoz, Col de l'Arpettaz and Col des Aravis... or why not end your trip on a high note with a crossing of the stunning Glières Plateau? A unique holiday tailored to your desires, allowing you to discover our wonderful Savoyard playground.
Highlights
- The area around Lake Annecy: a wonderful road cycling destination
- The region's must-see sights on a 4-day tour: Le Grand Colombier, Le Semnoz, Col des Près, Plateau des Glières, Col de l'Arpettaz
- Explore winding secondary roads and endless switchbacks against a beautiful and preserved mountain backdrop
- 3* accommodation in a variety of locations between the lake and the mountains
- The authentic Bauges massif with its unspoilt nature
- 3 routes per day: level 1 ideal for beginners, level 3 for experienced cyclists
Description
See photos and videos of this trip
Make sure to check our France Bike Trips media gallery in order to get a feel for this trip and this destination.
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Costs and services
Price per person for a group of
A supplement for single-room occupancy will be automatically charged in the case of odd-numbered groups.
The price includes:
- 3 nights in 3* hotels in double or twin rooms with en-suite facilities
- 3 hearty breakfasts
- Dinner reservations (multi-course menus) in Aix-les-Bains, Le Châtelard and Faverges (meals to be paid at the spot)
- Daily luggage transfers
- Our navigation app for smartphones, a detailed road book (digital format) and GPS tracks
What is not included:
- Lunch
- Dinners (meals to be paid at the spot at previously selected restaurants)
- Road bike rental
- International flights
- Your transfer to the meeting place (see useful information tab)
- All services mentioned in extensions
- Travel insurance
- Drinks at the accommodation
- Visits to museums, monuments and sites
- Additional travel related to change in the programme due to bad weather
- All personal expenses
- Everything not mentioned under “the price includes".
Extra services
| Single room accommodation (3 nights) | 175 € /  |
| Extra night in Annecy in 3* hotel, double or twin room, including breakfast | 120 € / |
| Extra night in Annecy in 3* hotel, single room, including breakfast | 220 € / |
| Vélorizons cycling jersey (shipping not included) |
75 € / |
Road bike rental: see below
Road bike rental
Rental road bike models:
| Standard road bike (4 days) Carbon frame and fork, disc brakes, Shimano Tiagra groupset, 10 speeds, 50/34 - 11/32, aluminium wheelset, model Scott Addict 50 or equivalent, roughly 9 kg |
225 € / |
| Premium road bike (4 days) Carbon frame and fork, disc brakes, Shimano 105 groupset, 12 Di2 speeds, 50/34 - 11/32, aluminium wheelset, model Scott Addict 40 or equivalent, roughly 8,9 kg |
265 € / |
| Ultimate road bike (4 days) Carbon frame and fork, rim brakes, Shimano 105 groupset, 12 Di2 speeds, 50/34 - 11/34, carbon Mavic or Syncros wheelset, model Scott Addict 30 or equivalent, roughly 8,4 kg |
350 € / |
| E-road bike (4 days) Carbon frame and fork, aluminium wheelset, Shimano 105 groupset, 11 speeds, 50/34 - 11/32 supplied with 1 x 248Wh battery (+ 1 extra battery 210Wh), model Orbea Gain M30 or equivalent, roughly 13 kg |
465 € / |
Rental bike equipment (for all models):
- Repair kit included: 2 CO2 cartridges, patches, multi-tool, 1 inner tube, tyre levers
- 2 bottle holders (except size 47 bicycles on which only one can be placed)
- Helmets and water bottles: not included
- Pedals: Our rental bikes come without pedals. You can either bring your own pedals or specify your needs; we can install 3 types of pedals at no extra charge: Look KEO easy, Shimano SPD-SL or Shimano SPD.
Please indicate your choice of model and pedals as well as your height (if possible also frame size and inseam) when filling out your booking form.
You will receive your chosen model from the tour leader on the first day of your tour. He will carry out an inventory of the bike with you, as well as a second inventory at the end of the tour.
Bike “consumables" (tyres, tubes, brake pads, cables) are included in the rental price. Only parts and components that are broken due to a crash and/or misuse will be charged. In the event of bike loss or theft, a fixed fee will be charged (2200 € for the Standard model, 3590 € for the Premium and Electric models and 5700 € for the Super light model).
Vélorizons cycling jersey
A cycling jersey to our taste.
A timeless road cycling jersey produced in France, inspired by our team and our road cycling trips. High quality, made in France by a Savoy company and with a feel-good character for long days in the saddle. Offered at a great price.
Features
- High-quality SIRTECH + LYCRA textiles
- 3 pockets, one with a central zip + 1 side pocket
- Full front zip
- Half-high cycling collar
- Short raglan sleeves in Lycra with seamless ends
- Gripper at the hem
Available sizes (EU sizing): XXS bis XL
Cut: Slim fit, unisex
Price: see above
Order and further information by e-Mail or ask our leaders while on tour.
Private groups / Custom tours
You are a group of friends, a family, a company or a cycling club and you would like to organise a private cycling tour on the dates of your choice. This option is available for guided and self-guided tours.
- If you are interested in one of the tours presented on our website, we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in your group.
- If you are interested in a custom version of one of our tours, with specific requirements (tour duration, accommodation type, vehicle assistance, airport transfers, bike rental, etc.), we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in the group and the group's specific requirements.
For more information or to receive a quote, please contact us by phone at +33 458 140 435 or by email at info@france-bike-trips.com.
Booking procedure / Cancellation
How to book
In order to make a booking please fill in the online booking form on the "booking" page of your chosen tour. At the end of the booking process you will be transferred to our bank's secure payment page in order to pay a 30 % deposit.
Last minute booking
All self-guided bookings made within 21 days of tour departure will incur a surcharge of 15 € per person.
Expert advice
- Unsure which tour to book?
- Interested in a custom version of one of our tours?
- Not sure if a particular tour is suitable for your riding style?
A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm (French time) by phone - +33 458 140 435 or by mail - info@france-bike-trips.com.
Tour confirmation
In order to confirm our guided tours, we need to reach a minimum number of participants (usually 5 persons are necessary). Therefore booking a guided tour does not necessarily mean the tour is confirmed. In the unlikely event that we are unable to confirm your chosen tour, we will offer you the opportunity (no less than 21 days before departure) of switching to another (confirmed) tour, or receiving a full refund.
Self-guided or custom tours: We confirm bookings of self-guided tours and custom tours directly after booking.
In both cases, please await our final booking confirmation before making any travel arrangements.
Balance payment
Tour balance payment must be made no less than 30 days before tour departure. Your travel documents will be sent to you once we have received your balance payment. Road books and maps will be sent to you 3 weeks before departure.
Cancellation
In the event that you are obliged to cancel your tour France Bike Trips will reimburse the entire sum paid for the tour, minus the following cancellation charges:
- More than 60 days before departure: 5 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
- Between 60 and 31 days before departure: 15 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
- Between 30 and 21 days: 30 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
- Between 20 and 14 days: 50 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
- Between 13 and 7 days: 70 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
- Less than 7 days before departure: 100 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
Full details of our sales conditions are available here
Travel insurance
It is important to be correctly insured when embarking on a cycling holiday. We recommend checking the details of your travel insurance (if you have one) and, if necessary, subscribing to our contract below. Please note that France Bike Trips is simply an intermediary between you and the insurance company.
You can choose between these travel insurance contracts while completing your booking form:
- I subscribe to the "comprehensive multi-risk" insurance cover (4.5%), minimum premium of 15 €:
This contract covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage, holiday interruption and cancellation. To see the full contract, click here. - I purchase the "cancellation only" insurance cover (2.5%), minimum premium of 10 €:
This policy covers cancellation only. To see the full contract, click here. - I purchase the "repatriation & assistance" insurance cover (1.6%), minimum premium of 10 €:
This policy covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage and holiday interruption. To see the full contract, click here.
Recommendation: |
Getting there
By plane:
Geneva airport: www.gva.ch
Lyon airport: www.lyonaeroports.com
Airport transfers are available on request. Contact us for a quote.
By train:
SNCF: www.voyages.sncf.fr
By car:
Route planner: en.mappy.com
Parking: In the event that you travel by car to the meeting point, we will suggest your some parking solutions.
Accommodation
We favour comfortable accommodation with warm hospitality.
Our standard price is based on 3* hotels or comfortable guesthouses with double rooms and en-suite facilities.
For private groups and self-guided trips it is possible to customise the accommodation (upgrade) depending on availability.
Food
"L'art de la table"
This trip is also an opportunity to discover the famous French gastronomy.
We pay very careful attention to the quality and the variety of your meals. Fresh and local products will be served wherever possible.
Depending on the meals included in your chosen tour:
- Continental breakfasts taken at the accommodation
- Cereal bars and dried fruit during the day
- Hearty dinners (3 to 4 courses, with local dishes)
- For lunch, we offer 3 options based on your preferences:
- A picnic to carry along in a small backpack. It contains an individual salad (carbohydrate and vegetable based salad), cold meats, cheese and fruit. This picnic can be carried in a small backpack or a handlebar bag.
- "Racing food" for those "allergic" to backpacks: energy bars, dried fruit.
- No lunch organised by France Bike Trips, leaving you free to stop and eat when and where you choose (restaurant, bakery, grocery store...).
Please check the "Dates & Prices" section for meal plan details.
Car sharing
If you sign up for a guided tour, we offer you the opportunity to see if you can carpool with other participants to get to the point of departure. To do this, go to "Car sharing" in our website. By entering the complete reference and the date of departure of the tour (available on the registration confirmation that we have sent you), you have access to route details and emails of other participants who wish to carpool.
Baggage
During the day you carry only a daypack for additional clothing, water, food, camera, etc. The rest of your baggage is transferred each day to the following nights accommodation.
Health
We strongly recommend having a medical check-up before your holiday.
Our / Your state of mind
- A "group" tour: If you join a guided tour, you will be part of a group for several days. This is a superb opportunity to meet new people and share some magical moments. However, a group tour requires that each person show friendliness, openness and mutual respect for their fellow travellers.
- An "adventure" tour: despite the most careful preparation, adventure tours can present unforeseen events. Accepting these risks will help you enjoy your trip to the full, in the knowledge that your guide, our local partners and the entire France Bike Trips team will offer you the most suitable solutions to any given situation.
Bike and plane / train
If you decide to bring your own bike, be aware that transporting a bike by plane or train is no longer an issue. However a few simple guidelines help to optimise the transport and avoid potential damages that could occur.
Your bike must be transported in a designated bike bag (standard size 120x90cm). This maximal size allows you to travel with your bike as "hand luggage" in any TGV and SNCF trains.
It is very important that you protect your bike in the bag. After having deflated the tires, removed the wheels (by removing the quick release mechanisms), pedals and rear derailleur (which is left hanging on the chain), we recommend you wrap your bike inside the bag in a sheet of dense foam (thickness of 3 to 5 cm). A piece of cardboard or rigid plastic positioned between the foam and the inside of the cover can be beneficial to provide more rigidity.
Once folded up the bike bag will take up very little space and will be transported by the assistance vehicle during your tour.
Bike bags are available directly from France Bike Trips at a cost of 70 euros, plus postage.
Your equipment
Personal equipment to bring:
Luggage
All your luggage must be distributed in two bags: a backpack and a travel bag:
1/ Backpack (or saddlebag)
This is the bag or saddlebag (saddle or handelbar) you use every day while cycling, if you choose to take a picnic lunch (see paragraph "Food"). This bag should not be too large (up to 20 litres).
It will contain: a picnic for lunch, snack food, camera, waterproof and extra clothing and sunglasses, ...
2/ Travel bag
This is the bag that will be transported from one accommodation to the next by vehicle. It will contain all the belongings you will not use during the day. You will find it at the accommodation in the evening (or sometimes for lunch).
List of equipment to pack:
For your head
- A cap or other head protection against the sun
- A hat or sweat band
- A bike helmet.
For your upper body
- Two cycling jerseys or technical t-shirts (made of synthetic or natural breathable fabrics)
- A warm shirt or sweatshirt
- A fleece
- A waterproof jacket
For your legs
- Two good quality cycling shorts with chamois (avoid triathlon shorts)
- A pair of warm cycling tights or leg warmers
- Trousers
- Casual short
- A swimsuit.
For your feet
- A pair of biking shoes
- A pair of shoes suitable for the evening
- Sandals (not compulsory, but nice for warm evenings...)
- Sport socks.
For your bike
- Gearing adapted to riding in the mountains: if in doubt ask your local cycle dealer
- 2 spare tubes
- Puncture repair kit
- Spare brake pads (except if you start with new pads)
- A rear derailleur cable
- Chain lube
- A pump
- A multitool
Other
- A pair of bike specific gloves
- A bike lock
- A headlamp with batteries
- A pair of spare laces
- A toiletry kit and towel
- 2 bike bottles 75 cl (or camelbak)
- A pocket knife
- A few plastic bags to protect your belonging
- A needle and thread
- A small individual pharmacy: sunscreen (face and lips); band aids + double skin (Compeed); Immodium; pain killers, earplugs, other personal medication.
Self-guided tour "user guide"
Active autonomy: what you need to know for our self-guided tours
In order to achieve the planned tour programme, you must:
- Guide yourself with the highlighted maps and road book;
- Choose suitable start times adapted to the lengths of the daily stages as well as your own riding pace, and leave an adequate safety margin of time;
- Obtain daily weather forecasts from your hosts, and take into account the weather conditions when planning journey times;
- Arrive at the booked guest houses and hotels listed in the programme on the given dates;
- Bring the necessary personal equipment to carry out the tour. France Bike Trips equipment list constitutes the necessary minimum;
- Carry insurance policies and emergency telephone numbers with you at all times;
- Be familiar with basic first-aid steps;
- In the event of any problems during your trip, contact France Bike Trips (contact information in your travel documents). Possession of a mobile phone that works in France is strongly recommended.
Self-guided tours are undertaken without a guide and at your own risk. France Bike Trips cannot be held liable for any route error, misconduct, personal imprudence, inadequate planning or inappropriate reactions in the event of incidents.
Any programme change of your own initiative is under your responsibility and at your expense.
Having said this, with our advice and good preparation, you should be able to look forward to a wonderful, trouble free holiday. Enjoy your trip!
Route navigation
You will receive an email 2 weeks before departure, containing all the information necessary for your upcoming tour, including the following navigation tools:
Our dedicated smartphone app
Follow your route with comfort and ease! Thanks to the Velorizons navigation app, download the full trip itinerary to your smartphone, view route maps and profiles, access the list of booked accommodation, services and useful contacts, and use the integrated route guidance (visual and vocal) for navigation.
►See the mobile app presentation video
To benefit fully from the app navigation system, we strongly recommend attaching your smartphone to the bicycle handlebar using a dedicated mount. An example can be viewed here.
| Operating system | Android | Apple | Windows Phone | Blackberry |
| Compatibility | Version 8.0 minimum | iOS 8.0 minimum. iPhone compatible, iPad compatible if GPS equipped | Non compatible | Non compatible |
A detailed Road Book
Your tour road book will be available to download in your My France Bike Trips customer area. The road book contains:
- Full colour maps with highlighted routes,
- Step-by-step route description,
- Route profiles
GPS tracks
Tour GPS tracks will be available to download in your My France Bike Trips customer area. The tracks are in .gpx format, compatible with all GPS devices/apps.
Average tour rating:
