Tour de France Cols on an E-Bike

On this trip you can become the King or Queen of the Mountains and not just any old mountains, the French Alps. Yes you can achieve this grand Strava title without breaking a sweat - well maybe a little perspiration just for the look! The secret? An E-bike! 

This trip will take you over some of the mythical Tour de France cols with the option of adding extra sections on if you wish. You have vehicle support with you at all times guiding the way and there to carry your snacks, spare clothing and tool kits and to pick you up if you have had enough. There's no excuse not to give it a go!

Duncan Craig from the Sunday Times tested out the trip. Here's what he thought about riding the Tour de France cols on an e-bike! You can also have a look at the little video he made for the Sunday Times website.

The Bikes

Electric bikes have taken off in the Alps and it is now as common to see 'normal' people on e-bikes powering up the big climbs as the lycra clad pros! E-biking holidays and e-bike touring are the new biking holiday must dos in the Alps! Read our blog article about why e-biking is so popular in the Alps.

Electric bikes are still a relatively new phenomenon and sometimes a little misunderstood. They are not motorbikes, you need to pedal, and it is entirely up to you how much extra oomph you give yourself from the battery. To do a big mountain col you will still need a reasonable level of fitness with an E-bike (be a regular dog walker or gym goer) - it is not cheating!

Since we started running this trip, the actual electric road bikes have also evolved and now look just like professional road bikes with the motor hidden in the frame. To ride these bikes, you need to be comfortable on a road bike, especially for the descents which are very technical so we offer either the road bike option or a 'gravel' bike option which have flat handlebars and slightly larger tires so they are a bit more stable. 

The Cycling

This cycling trip through the Hautes-Alpes is a dream for any cycling enthusiast, combining legendary Tour de France climbs with hidden gems that showcase the region's beauty. The route takes in iconic cols like the Col du Noyer, Orcières, Col de Festre, Col de Moissière, and Col de Manse, each offering a unique challenge and stunning alpine panoramas. With a special outing to tackle the renowned Col d'Izoard, and the Serre Ponçon lake time trial route you can experience a piece of Tour de France history, following in the tire tracks of the world's best cyclists. These climbs have tested champions, and now, with the assistance of an e-bike, they are within reach for all.

What makes this trip truly special is the opportunity to explore lesser-known circuits on tranquil back roads, often frequented by passionate local cyclists. These quieter routes allow riders to immerse themselves in the region's natural beauty, from peaceful alpine meadows to winding mountain passes. It’s a bucket-list cycling adventure, offering a blend of epic Tour de France cols and secret, off-the-beaten-path roads that only the locals know.

Your Base

Last but not least and because we think that a proper holiday should always include great food, the accommodation we chose (the lovely luxury farmhouse guesthouse) for this tour is our clients' favourite. The owners Jean&Meg are wonderful people and their cuisine, an innovative mix of delicious local and world products, has quickly become renowned in the region. Not only can you become the King or Queen of the Mountains on your e-bike - you'll be treated as a King or Queen at the Grange des Ecrins too!

Who will Love this Trip?

Cycling in France is a national pass-time and following in the wheels of the professional cycling heroes of the Tour de France is a bucket list activity for many fans. Most Tour de France tours and cycling holidays in France are aimed at experienced and competitive cyclists but this e-bike trip is perfect for moderate bikers and novice cyclists or retired experienced road cyclists who still want the buzz of climbing to the top of a big Alpine pass but don't quite have the legs for it any more!.

If you like the idea of e-biking the Alps but would prefer a fully tailor made itinerary, then we can customise this for you.

Itinerary

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We will collect you from Gap train station which has rail links from Grenoble, Valence and Aix-en-Provence TGVs and also a direct overnight sleeper service from Paris.

If you are flying here, the best airport to fly to is Marseilles and there is a regular shuttle directly from the airport to Gap.