ROAD CYCLING SUPPORT

Road Cycling Support in the French Alps with Whiterides - The Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes often comes up in the list for best , hardest, toughest and most rewarding hill climbs and with multiple col roads right on our doorstep you wont be dissapointed with the road cycling in the Savoie.  Whiterides can offer you tailor made road cycling support days with multiple minibuses and road bike specific trailers. With a dedicated driver, with knowledge of the area, you can explore the region with full support.

Not only are we keen cyclists but we have also worked alongside several road cycling companies over the years such as 1330 ROAD CYCLING, BAND OF CLIMBERS, ALPINE CADENCE and ALL THINGS RIDE so we have great experience in the road cycling industry and know the local  routes like the back of our hand. We understand what is takes and what it means to conquer a col road and the sense of personal achievement and satisfaction once you reach the summit. With Whiterides support we will be there with you every step of the way!

(Photo by Dan Barnett Whiterides: The famous pink  road on the climb up to La Rosiere/ Rider John from Band of Climbers / Support by 1330 Road Cycling)

On the road.

Having a support vehicle on hand can make the world of difference, from carrying bike spares, food and refreshments or just having a vehicle to jump into in case of injury or bad weather.

When booking a road cycling support day with Whiterides our driver will come directly to your hotel or chalet first thing in the morning. From there you can decided to ride straight from your door or hop into the van and get dropped off at the bottom of a climb. 

On the climb up any col road our driver will start off ahead of the group a few Km's in front then wait for each rider to pass. Once all have passed they repeat this process throughout the climb so that at any time a rider can ask the driver for assistance or stop to get supplies from the minibus. Therefore if any rider should have an injury or technical fault the minibus will only ever be a few km's away and can quickly reach them to assist.

See below for more details on prices and some the famous cols in our area.

Booking a road cycling support day with Whiterides couldn't be easier. Simply contact our team by email or phone and let us know you requirements. 

Each support day includes a driver, minibus, trailer and are for a maximum of 8 people per minibus. A day is defined as a maximum of 10 hrs per day.

What's included !

• Experienced, professional driver.
• Pick up/ drop off from Chalet or Hotel.
• Nonstop support all day.
• 8 passenger seat minibus.
• Road bike specific trailer.
• Free water supplied in minibus.
• Toolbox and pump supplied in minibus.
• Carriage of your personal belongings, spares etc.
• Local knowledge and advice on Cols.

What's not included !

• Food and drink - it is your responsibility to bring enough food and drink for each day (we can supply food, snacks etc on request at an additional cost)
• A Cycling Gudie - is not provided on our trips we provide transport and support only. However a guide can be arranged at an additional cost.
• Bike Spares - we do not carry any spare bike parts therefore it is your responsibility to have spares.

Prices starting from: € 47.50 per person, per day (Based on 8 people when booking 5-7 days support)

Col De L'iseran 2770m - As the highest Col in the French Alps this is often a must for road riders. Offering a 12% gradient in places this is no walk in the park but well worth the challenge.

This was the 16th stage of the Tour De France in 2019, St Jean De Maurienne - Tignes, which no one will ever forgot as freak weather of snow and flash floods caused the tour to be stopped for safety reasons.

From Bourg Saint Maurice to the summit of the col it is 48 km so this is a full days riding. For a shorter version you can start from Val d'isere centre and this is 18km to the top.

On the climb up to Val d'isere you will pass above Tignes Les Brevieres and the huge Lac Cheveirl barrage which is a sight to behold. Once you reach the Lac you can rest your legs a bit on the fast flat section of road heading to Val d'isere town, a great town to stop and have a rest, if you fancy before tackling the final 18km climb to the top.

Col Du Petit Saint Bernard 2188m - Another iconic climb in the area which featured in the 2009 Tour De France and also more recently in the 2018 Tour De France with the stage finishing in La Rosiere just shy of the summit of the Col. They even painted the road pink on the climb out of Montvalezan and on the final climb up to La Rosiere.

Throughout the winter months the col is buried in meters of snow but is the first of the col's to open come spring. If you get the chance to ride the col shortly after opening you will find yourself riding in between snow walls over 10 meters high!

Starting from Bourg Saint Maurice it's a long 30km climb to the top. That said it is one of the more mellow climbs with an average of 5% gradient. Once at the top you can choose to finish there or descend down to the picturesque village of La Thulie in Italy for cheeky coffee, gelato and some lunch.

Cormet du Roselend - 1968m.... a favourite of our office staff!

This spectacular ride might be one of the shortest, around 20KM from Bourg Saint Maurice to the summit along the D902, but with ever changing views and gradients from 6% to 10% this challenging ride really delivers on all aspects.

Call it a day at the summit or explore further and drop down to the Lac du Roselend and onto the wonderful little town of Beaufort where you can eat and buy a wide range of delicious cheese products.

Once you have refuelled brave the full loop back via Areches-Beaufort and finish with the short and steep Col du Pre, not for the faint hearted.  With little or no shade and a favourable 10% for most this short climb, you will be the king of the mountain when you reach the top!  

This breathtaking ride just keeps delivering, and we can't say enough good things about this wonderful day out. We offer support throughout the day right from your accommodation.

Col De La Loze - 2304m - The new Col on the block!

This was once just an offroad track but has now been newly tarmaced in 2019 creating a epic must do col road for all cyclists. The Col De La Loze will also feature as a stage in this year's TOUR DU FRANCE 2020 (this is now scheduled for late Aug/ early September).

Departing from either Courchevel or Meribel side this is a serious climb with an average of 6.48% gradient and max 11.2%. This is one you want to be prepared for so we suggest stopping and grabbing some fuel and supplies in Bride Les Bains, if you don't have anything with you.

As the road is fairly new you can expect smooth asphalt all the way up and down, so go steady on the descent.

Once you reach the summit you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the Alps over looking the Courhevel and Meribel valleys.

Col De La Madeleine - 2000m - This is another one of our favourite cols!

Departing from the Moutiers valley side it starts with a steady climb, but don't be fooled into thinking this is going be an easy ride as you quickly reach some of the steepest parts of the col with gradients of 9 and 10%.

However you are then rewarded with steady , stunning climb and even a fast flat section in the middle to catch your breath, then just when you get your legs back, bang you hit the last and section up to the top, which is a real mix of gradients from 7, 8, 9 and 10% . This is a fantastic ride with a real mix of gradients throughout. It's a great challenge and a col you can be really proud of coqueuring once you reach the top.

Also a favorite and well known stage on several years of the Tour De France. Yet again this will be a stage on the 2020 Tour (Grenoble to Meribel) taking in two giant's, the Madeleine and the new kid on the block, the Col de la Loze, this will definitely be one to watch and ride if you're brave enough!

Col Du Glandon 1924m - Another Col that has featured many times in the Tour De France.

The Maurienne Valley has a vast amount of cols available to everyone.  The ride up the Glandon from both sides is varying in gradients with some low percentages but also reaching highs of 10% .

This valley also holds some of the most iconic rides in France, including the Col de la Madeleine, Col du Galibier, Col du Glandon, Col du Telegrapher, Col du Chaussy,  Col de la Croix de Fer and more. If you're feeling like a superhero you can even take on multiple rides in one day!

With stunning vistas of the Maurienne Valley from all angles you shouldn't miss exploring this valley and why not challenge your group to ride 2 cols in one day.