All Accommodation
LOCATIONINDIA
Bookings are open!
$750 AUD reserves your spot for our 2020 India Coast to Coast Tour. Book now!
WHO SHOULD COME?
Our Indian Coast to Coast tour enjoys 4 and 5-star accommodation, it’s suited to enthusiastic riders with a keen sense of adventure and ready for a challenge.
Some days in the mountains are fairly challenging with great climbs, others are easier flatter coastal days, distances vary from day to day, you’ll be well supported by our vehicles and guides each step of the way
We look forward to showing you around our favourite places on and off the bike. We’re sure you’ll love India as much as we do.
2020 INDIA
COAST TO COAST TOUR
We look forward to welcoming you on our South India Coast to Coast cycle tour.
Riding from the Bay of Bengal over the mighty mountains of the Western Ghats, to the palm-fringed beaches of the Arabian Sea. This tour takes in the tropical South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Our Coast to Coast tour is led by our experienced team who have been hosting tours to India for many years. We know how to get the best out of your holiday and riding, in a supported – team like environment.
We’ll pedal on idyllic backcountry roads and overnight in outstanding 4 and 5-star accommodation so you can experience the best of India during the day, then retreat to the peaceful surrounds of our hand-picked accommodation in the evenings.
We ride through places of special historical and scenic interest, giving enough time off the bike to take in some temples, tea plantations, backwaters, historic cities and the best of the sights that make our Coast to Coast tour unique.
You’ll experience India by the best possible means – by bike.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
TOUR EXCLUSIONS
Our Tour
We start our tour in Mahabilapuram near the coast, it’s a town with a wealth of history and UNESCO listed stone carved monuments, it provides a fascinating and stunning starting point for the challenge ahead.
From Mahabilapuram its cruisy riding down the coast to the fascinating town of Pondicherry, it’s a French colonial town that feels a world apart from the rest of India.
We then move inland to Chidambaram with its paddy and palm-fringed temple complex, which is home to one of the most extraordinary sunset ceremonies in India. Landscapes change as we make our way into the Tamil heartlands and the ancient cultures and monuments of Tamilian heritage and the other worldly temples of Thanjavur and Madurai.
From here we move into the rock-strewn landscape of Thenni district, with the mighty mountains of the Western Ghats making up the next few days riding. We ride up into Kerala and the incredibly beautiful lush green tea estate landscapes of Munnar and Kuttikanam.
From Kuttikanam we roll down out of the mountains through the aromatic spice plantations to the coast and into the tropical paradise of Marwari beach. We then head north along the coast up to historical Fort Cochin, our journey’s end. It’s time to relax a little, then explore and take in Fort Cochin’s unique atmosphere.
Pat, Mike, Grace and the Team
Itinerary in brief:
Day 1: Arrive Chennai. Transfer to Mahabalipuram and poolside restaurant at our hotel. Unwind, relax then join us on a tour around Mahabalipuram’s world famous rock carved temples.
Day 2: Mahabbalaupuram-Auroville-Pondicherry: 110KM/98M. Ride along the stunning scenic coastal and inland to new-age Auroville for a short-guided tour and on to the former French colonial colony of Pondicherry. Join the locals on the promenade for an evening stroll before dining in top Indo-French restaurant.
Day 3: Pondicherry-Chidambaram 90KM/200M: More serene coastal riding as we continue our journey south to the temple town of Chidambaram. Endless palm fringed paddy fields provide the backdrop. Take a step back through the ages as we visit the temple complex at sunset and join the pilgrims in an unforgettable ancient ritual.
Day 4: Chidambaram-Swamilmalai: 83KM: We leave the coast and head inland onto the vast, lush Tamil plains. Stunning rural scenery reveals a Tamil heartland almost unchanged over centuries taking us to Swamlimalai and an overnight stay in our award-winning heritage hotel.
Day 5: Swamimalai-Thanjavur-Kannadukathan 150KM/270M Bullock carts and cycles are more common than any other vehicles as we ride to another South Indian gem, Thanjavur, and the World Heritage listed Brihadeshwara Temple for a short visit then we push on deeper in to the heart of Tamil Nadu and the famous Chettinadu region abound with mansions and palaces, testimony to the success of the Chettiyars in years gone by. Sample the famed Chettanadu food and explore the now near
deserted villages.
Day 6: Kannadukathan-Madurai: 105KM:/207M: The lush landscape becomes more arid with rocks and ridges becoming a common sight. Idyllic rural riding brings us to perhaps the most famous of all of Tamil Nadu’s towns, Madurai and the unforgettable riot of colour that are the gopurams of Sri Meenakshi temple. Evening guided stroll round the temple complex.
Day 7: Madurai-Palani: 120KM/450M. Landscapes change, the first signs of an undulating road and the mighty mountains of the Western Ghats beckon on this delight of a ride as we make our way Palani nestled at the base of the Western Ghat mountains.Scenery simply outrageous.
Day 8: Palani -Munnar: 110KM/2200M. It’s time to climb. A gentle warm up for 20km then climbing legs start to whirr as we embark upon the near 1500 meter ascent to Munnar as we head into Kerala we ride through tropical jungles and tea estates on what must be one of the most stunning roads anywhere in the world. After the days riding its time perhaps to crack open a few more Kingfishers and revel in the cool night air.
Day 9: Munnar-Kuttikanam 135KM/2200M. We ride the forest road through cardamom plantations and ancient rain forests as climbs and descents come in equal measure through the spice mountains of Kerala and on to our famed retreat in the grounds of the former royal family of Travancore in Kuttikanam.
Day 10: Kuttikanam- Vembanad Lake. 125KM/1400M: Another cracking day in the saddle with the joys of a big descent down to the lush tropical Kerala plains. Colonial tea bungalows, churches new and old are testimony to the areas unique strong Christian roots as we reach the renowned Kerala backwaters.
Day 11: Thaneermukkom-Marwari Beach-Fort Kochi- 82KM/45M: We ride from Vembanad Lake to the palm-fringed shores of the Arabian Sea at Marari Beach to dip our bikes in the Arabian Sea and take in a celebratory drink and a swim for making it to the coast. We finish with a leisurely ride up to Fort Cochin and our journey’s end. Evening guided tour with a stroll around historical Fort Cochin.
Day 12: Today marks the end of your India Coast to Coast Tour. We will provide transfers to Cochin Airport if you are flying out today.
Tour Information:
ARRIVALS
10am: Airport Pick up time. It is around a 90 minute journey from the airport to our Hotel in Mamallapuram.
RIDE CLOTHING/SHOES
Better to wear over shorts rather than just standard cycling knicks, to minimise any unwanted attention and ease of walking into temples and places of interest on route.
Cycle shoes are usually better with a non-exposed cleat so you can easily walk around mid-ride at stops and places of interest..
CLIMATE
Temperatures on the plains will be around 30c during the day an remain warm at night time. In the mountains it’s usually still warm but nights can be cool We would expect rain at some point during the trip.
FLIGHTS
Tours start in Chennai and finish in Cochin. Both Chennai and Cochin are well served by international carriers including Emirates. Check individual airlines for luggage allowance and what their policy is regarding bikes.
INDIA VISA
You can apply for an E-Visa following the link below with a 60 day stay-limit. For all visa applications use the following as a reference in India which is our 1st nights stay.
Mr Mani
Manager- Reservations
Hotel Mamallaa Heritage
No.104, East Raja Street
Mamallapuram
Tamil Nadu
Phone: 0091 44- 27442060
MEDICAL
Get in touch with your GP well in advance of your departure for latest information on vaccinations any other medical considerations.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is a condition of our trips that you are adequately insured. Policies must cover cycling. If your usual insurance doesn’t cover cycling then consider specialist coverage. We ask for a copy of your insurance pre tour.
ACCOMMODATION
All our accommodation has been hand-picked to be just about the best there is.
Boutique hideaways, plantation stays, converted palaces and luxury hotels all feature in our tour. All rooms are based on twin or double occupancy. Single rooms are available on request. If you are a single person and have not requested an “own room” option we will endeavour to match you up with a compatible room-mate for the duration of the trip.
VEHICLE SUPPORT
We have full vehicle support for the duration of the tour. Non Cyclists and Riders who are tired or just wish for a quick break from the cycling will be able to take time out in the support vehicle. The support vehicle will carry all spares/tools/water/snacks etc so all you need to carry with you is a water bottle and a camera.
FINANCES
ATM’s are available in all our destinations. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Make sure you contact your bank to inform them of your travel dates before departure so they don’t block your card.
Breakfasts, lunches and evening meals are included. Additional snacks, extra drinks like beer or wine and perhaps the odd massage are non -inclusions. Ayurvedic massages are around $25 for an hour.
Airport exchange rates are usually poor so if you are exchanging money then just change small amounts. You can change larger amounts of cash at better rates near where we stay at our 1st night’s accommodation. ATM’s will be accessible at the airport and at almost all our destinations.
ELECTRICITY
India’s Electricity: 230/240 volts AC, 50 Hz. 2 pin type.
GUIDES/DRIVERS
Our tour driver and local guides do not expect tips from our guests but they would greatly appreciate them. Feel free to tip at your discretion if you feel the service has been good.
BIKES
Bringing your own bike.
The roads are in good condition with the majority of the roads being recently metalled and smooth. We would recommend a road bike with 28mm – 32 mm tyres or a gravel or CX bike with slicks. Leave your super light road race bike at home and bring your more sturdy bike.
Your bike must be in tip top condition. If you are unsure if a part will survive the trip replace it or take your bike to be serviced by a bike shop. Performance bike parts are hard to obtain in India but we do have small stocks of spare parts if things go wrong.
Bike spares to bring:
• Spare spokes for your bike
• A spare derailluier / mech hanger.
• Spare set of brake pads.
• Multi tool
• Pump
• Tyre levers
• 2 tubes
2019 TOUR DE FRANCE – Full Itinerary
DAY 1 – TUESDAY 16 JULY 2019
ARRIVAL DAY – Toulouse Blagnac Airport. La Ville Rose and Sunflowers loop ride
Welcome to France!
Airport pick up: 10am Toulouse Blagnac Airport
Arrival day ride departs: 1pm
Distance: 50km. Climbing: 250m
TdF Race: Rest Day Albi
Welcome dinner: 7.30pm
Accommodation: Toulouse City Centre – 1 of 2 nights
About our day:
Welcome to Ride International’s Tour de France trip! We start our trip in la Ville Rose (the “Pink City”), Toulouse, named because of the extensive use of pinkish terracotta bricks in the local architecture. Toulouse is well-known for many things, but for cyclists, it is probably best-known for being just a short drive from some of the best cycling in the French Pyrenees.
You have the option of meeting us at our team hotel, or meeting us at the airport before we take a short transfer to our hotel.
We’ll contain our excitement on day one, which a short ride to get to know each other and make sure the bikes and bodies are all in order for the week ahead.
Non-cycling options:
Ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations in Toulouse, it’s a beautiful city rich in culture, history, markets, a good artisan coffee roaster – coffee shop and fantastic shopping.
Our Ride: La Ville Rose and sunflowers loop
Ride – starts 1pm
After we’ve settled in we’ll head out for an afternoon loop ride. We will head out of Toulouse onto some country roads through rural areas for some sunflower spotting en route. We’ll return via a touristic route past the Canal du Midi and through the small streets of Toulouse’s old town back to our hotel. Today’s ride is a relaxed one to ensure you and your bike are working well.
TdF Race: TDF Rest Day Albi
Après Bike:
7.30pm: Meet in the hotel lobby for a short stroll to our restaurant for our welcome dinner and drinks.
Accommodation:
Toulouse City Centre – 1 of 2 nights
DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY 17 JULY 2019
Tour de Tarn ride plus Tour de France race start Albi. Ride back to Toulouse – intersect the race at a key point en route
Breakfast: 7am
Depart hotel: 7:45am Ride start: 9:30am
Distance: 40km, 85km, 120km Climbing: 200m – 750m
TdF Race: Albi / Toulouse 167km
Accommodation: Toulouse City Centre – 2 of 2 nights
About our day:
We jump straight into the action on day two and see the Tour de France twice as it snakes its way from Albi to Toulouse – first at the stage depart and then as it nears the finish.
Seeing Le Tour stage depart and watching it pass through smaller French towns is a very different experience, and provides an interesting contrast, to the high-intensity mountain racing that we’ll see later in our tour. We’ll have the luxury of seeing the riders relax before what is expected to be a low-stress stage, and then we’ll get to see an otherwise quiet French town come alive as the race flies through it in the closing stages of the race, rubbing shoulders with locals.
We’ll increase our ride distance today but the route will be relatively flat to allow you to find your legs for the climbing to come in the coming days.
Non-cycling options:
Ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations.
Our Ride:
Ride – starts 9:30am
We’ll take a transfer from our Toulouse hotel to our ride start point on the lovely Tarn River. From there we will follow the river approximately 40km to the Tour de France race start in Albi. After taking in the race start we’ll mount our bikes again and take a more direct ride route to Toulouse. We’ll intersect the Tour de France race route as it nears the finish, as it passes through one of the smaller French villages where we can relax, watch the race finish on TV and return to our hotel on our bikes via sections of the race route to Toulouse.
TdF Race: Albi / Toulouse 167km
Après Bike:
Free Program, let us know your preferred dining style, food types and we’ll point you in the right direction, Toulouse has a vast array of eateries, bars and restaurants.
Accommodation:
Toulouse City Centre – 2 of 2 nights
DAY 3 – THURSDAY 18 JULY 2019
Ride the final 80km of todays Tour de France high mountain stage
Breakfast: 7am
Depart hotel: 7:45am Ride start: 10:30am
Distance: 60km, 85km, 105km Climbing: 2000m
TdF Race: Toulouse / Bagnères-de-Bigorre 202km
Accommodation: Pyrenees – Lourdes Spa and Bike Hotel – 1 of 3 nights
About our day:
Today we hit the cols! We’ll take a morning transfer to the French Pyrenees, where you will get your first taste of some serious hills on this year’s tour.
We’ll ride the final part of the Tour de France stage before the riders and will see the race at or near the finish. While coming mid-way through the Tour de France, this is the first Pyrenean stage of this year’s Tour de France and it is sure to be exciting to watch as the riders test each others’ fatigue levels as they head into the second part of the race.
We’ll also need to keep our fatigue levels in mind as we head into a series of decent climbing days, with this one just being something of an entrée.
Non-cycling options:
Ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations.
Our Ride:
Ride – starts 10:30am
After our transfer from Toulouse, we’ll ride the final 80km of today’s Tour de France medium mountain stage. This will take us over the Col du Peyresourde (where Chris Froome launched his memorable ‘descent attack’ on stage 8 of the 2016 Tour to win the stage) and then the Hourquette d’Ancizan before we ride to the race finish area in Bagneres de Bigorre.
After the Tour de France race finish you can choose to ride the ‘mostly downhill’ route back to our chic Spa and Bike hotel in Lourdes in the Pyrenees, or you can save the legs and take a short transfer back.
TdF Race: Toulouse / Bagnères-de-Bigorre 202km
Après Bike:
7.45pm: Meet in the hotel lobby for dinner at our hotel.
Accommodation:
Pyrenees – Lourdes Spa and Bike Hotel – 1 of 3 nights
DAY 4 – FRIDAY 19 JULY 2019
Col du Solour – Col d’Aubisque High Mountain Loop
Breakfast: 7am
Ride departs hotel: 8am
Distance: 30km, 45km, 90km (optional riding extras: Hautacam ski station +30km / 1200m) Climbing: 1200m – 2400m
TdF Race: Pau / Pau Time Trial 27km
Accommodation: Pyrenees – Lourdes Spa and Bike Hotel – 2 of 3 nights
About our day:
While Lourdes is famous the world over for its holy water and associated religious pilgrimages, we like it because it is at the gateway to one of the most magical cycling valleys in the French Pyrenees. Today we’ll dive right in, departing from our hotel for an incredible day in the mountains.
We’ll take in two legendary cols, the Col du Solour and the Col d’Aubisque for a relatively short loop but one that is big on elevation and spectacular scenery.This is high mountain cycling at its very best, wild horses, sheep and goats are free to roam the pastures up here. For those wanting a few more kilometres, there is an optional extra ride up the Hautacam.
Non-cycling options:
Ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations.
Our Ride:
Ride – starts 8am
Today we’ll ride from the door of our hotel and ascend two of the most famous cols in the Pyrenees – the Col du Solour, then traverse across to the Col d’Aubisque. We’ll pause for snack, coffee or maybe even lunch at one of the chalets prior to heading back across to the Col du Soluor. We then loop back to Lourdes after a big day out in the Pyrenees. We’ll be back in time to watch the finish of the Tour de France time trial live on TV.
Riding Extras: If you’re still feeling great after the Col d’Aubisque and Solour and need extras on the day – we’ll point you in the direction of the famously tough Hautacam climb. This climb can be found just off our route back to Lourdes. While it will only add approximately 30km (and 1200m altitude) to your day, the gradients of the Hautacam are tough and this little side-trip will likely take well over two hours to complete!
TdF Race: Pau / Pau Time Trial 27km
Après Bike:
Free program: Let us know your preferred dining style, food types and we’ll point you in the right direction, Lourdes has a vast array of eateries, bars (even a great Belgian bar), restaurants and the best gelato outside of Italy.
Accommodation:
Pyrenees – Lourdes Spa and Bike Hotel – 2 of 3 nights
DAY 5 – SATURDAY 20 JULY 2019
Col du Tourmalet Loop, see the race on the lower slopes
Breakfast: 7am
Depart hotel: 8am Ride start: 9am
Distance: 55km, 65km, 80km, 105km Climbing: 750m – 2300m
TdF Race: Tarbes / Tourmalet 117km
Accommodation: Pyrenees – Lourdes Spa and Bike Hotel – 3 of 3 nights
About our day:
Today we ride the Col du Tourmalet! One of the most famous climbs in the French Pyrenees, the Tourmalet is a big and beautiful climb – one that every serious cyclist should tick off in their lifetime. We’ll tackle it from the eastern side, hit the summit and descend down the other side to watch the Tour de France tear onto the lower slopes as it tackles the Tourmalet in the opposite direction.
Non-cycling options:
Ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations.
Our Ride:
Ride starts 9am
Depending on how your legs are feeling, you can choose where to start your day along our route: Bagnères-de-Bigorre, Campan, Sainte Marie De Campan or La Mongie. Regardless of the start point, our route will take in the Col du Tourmalet loop in a clockwise direction and we’ll tackle the great Tourmalet from the eastern side.
Having summited the highest paved road in the Pyrenees, we’ll then take the winding descent to the picturesque valley town of Luz-Saint-Sauveur. There we’ll watch the race live on TV as it approaches, before stepping out to the roadside to see it charge onto the lower slopes of the Col du Tourmalet. Then, we’ll ride the mostly-downhill route back to Lourdes to complete our loop, finishing on a quiet and gentle local bike path that will feel a million miles away from the hallowed slopes of the Tourmalet.
TdF Race: Tarbes / Tourmalet 117km
Après Bike:
Suggested Sports Recovery Drink: Anything dark from the Belgian beer bar near the bridge over the river in town.
Free program: Let us know your preferred dining style, food types and we’ll point you in the right direction again. Lourdes is great for bars and restaurants. (Have you tried the gelato yet?)
Accommodation:
Pyrenees – Lourdes Spa and Bike Hotel – 3 of 3 nights
DAY 6 – SUNDAY 21 JULY 2019
Medieval Citadel – Gorge Ride and Dinner at our Chateau
Breakfast: 7am
Depart hotel: 8am Ride start: 3:30pm
Distance: 30km, 60km Climbing: 600m – 950m
TdF Race: Limoux / Foix 185km
Accommodation: Provence – Mazan Chateau Hotel – 1 of 2 Nights
About our day:
We are transferring from the Pyrenees to the Alps today, and will break the transfer up with a stop-in at the medieval citadel of Carcassonne. There we’ll stretch the legs and explore this historic village. We’ll then complete our transfer across to the base of the Giant of Provence – Mont Ventoux – in Mazan. After we’ve settled in to our chateau, we’ll head out for an afternoon ride to ease ourselves into the Alps.
Non-cycling options:
Ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations.
Our Ride:
Ride – starts 3:30pm
With a few days of solid climbing under our belt, and with plenty more to come, we’ll give the bodies and legs a well-earned rest and take in a leisurely ride along the beautiful and breathtaking roads of the Gorge de la Nesque, near our hotel in Mazan. What this ride lacks in distance and elevation, it more than makes up for in spectacular scenery.
TdF Race: Limoux / Foix 185km
Après Bike:
Suggested Sports Recovery Drink: Ice cold Cote du Rhone Rose.
7:30pm: Three course dinner including regional Ventoux and Cote du Rhone wine at our chateau.
Accommodation:
Provence – Mazan Chateau Hotel – 1 of 2 Nights
DAY 7 – SUNDAY 22 JULY 2019
Mont Ventoux – Celebration dinner and drinks at our Chateau
Breakfast: 7am
Depart hotel: 7:45am Ride start: 8:30am
Distance: 30km, 45km, 60km (Optional riding extras: Fancy a double ascent of Mont Ventoux? Add 42km and 1550m) Climbing: 2100m
TdF Race: Rest Day
Accommodation: Provence – Mazan Chateau Hotel – 2 of 2 nights
About our day:
While the Tour de France has a rest day scheduled, there will be little rest for us as we will be tackling the most famous climb in cycling – Mont Ventoux!
After a short morning transfer to the town of Bédoin, we will have a number of options available for you to reach the summit of the Giant of Provence. We’ll have all day, so we can take our time and really soak up this magical mountain.
Non-cycling options:
Ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations.
Our Ride:
Ride starts 8:30am
It’s not called the ‘Giant of Provence’ for nothing, and we’ll have a number of ride options available so that everyone can tackle a route they are comfortable with and make it to the summit.
You can choose to climb the full 22km, or tackle shorter options of 18km, 10km or 6km (from Chalet Reynard) to the the top. Each of these options will pass by the Tom Simpson memorial en route to the top.
From the top of Mount Ventoux, it’s a lovely run down to Malaucene where a coffee, snack or lunch will revitalise you. If you are keen for more, you’ll have the option of tackling Mont Ventoux for a second time, from Malaucene. Alternatively, if one summit of the most famous climb in cycling is enough for you, you can leave Malaucene bound for Bédoin to finish our loop. From here you have the choice to cycle back to our chateau or travel in the vehicle.
TdF Race: Rest Day
Après Bike:
Suggested Sports Recovery Drink: After a fantastic day on the Giant of Provence, it’s a tough choice between a cold local craft beer or a G&T, either one will have you rehydrated quickly and ready to go again tomorrow.
7:30pm: We’ll have dinner, including local wines, at our chateau.
Accommodation:
Provence – Mazan Chateau Hotel – 2 of 2 Nights
Advance Bookings:
We open up our Advance Reservations for trips so you can book well ahead. Guarantee your position by booking up to 12 months prior.
If you’d like to organise and book your trip more than 12 months prior, contact us via email or phone, we’ll arrange everything so you can make an advanced early booking.
An advance booking, accompanied by a fully refundable $750 AUD (Australian Dollar) ensures priority booking status when the trip details are announced. Note, an advance booking is not considered final until payment is received.
Once specific trip itinerary details are finalized, we’ll contact everyone on the advance reservation list via email, we’ll include the itinerary and offer a priority booking position before opening up bookings to the wider community.
If a trip fills – as it often does in the advance bookings, we create a waiting list and then offer reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis (based on the date the advance reservation was made) once our advanced booking guest have finalised.
To cancel an advance booking submitted in writing/ via email within 14 days of the trip details being published. The (AUD) $750 advance reservation payment will be immediately refunded for any cancellation received within this 14-day period.
Final Payments:
The balance of your trip payment is due no later than 120 days prior to your trip departure date, we will forward via email your final payment invoice. You can choose to make full payment earlier if you prefer to finalise your trip payment early, contact us and we will arrange for an invoice to be sent.
What if I have to transfer, change or cancel my trip:
We understand you may not be able to go on your trip, cancel, change or transfer due to personal or medical reasons. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to transfer to another trip that has places available. If you have a question give us a call or email.
Due to the high demand, limited hotel availability and the advance payments expected by our hotels and restaurants we use, the following cancellation conditions apply to all of our trips.
AFTER BOOKING, IF YOU CANCEL:
| 120 – 91 days prior to departure | 50% cancellation fee of the trip price |
| 90 – 61 days prior to departure | 75% cancellation fee of the trip price |
| 60 days and less prior to departure | 100% cancellation fee of the trip price |
10
Years of Experience
63
Tours Completed
1,384
Trip Guests
32,926km
Cycled on Tour
238
Hotels Visited
Your experience is our passion
What Makes Us Première Classe
Experience, Since 2007
We’ve been on the ground running tours for over a decade and have long graduated from the School of Rookie Mistakes. We’ve accumulated thousands of kilometres in knowledge that goes into planning our itineraries and running our trips. When you’re with us, we’ve got your back. We want to see you achieve what you came here for. That’s why we build in contingencies for our contingencies so no matter what challenges the race, road or rain throws at us, we have a solution that will bring a satisfied smile to your face at the end of each day.
Trips Guaranteed To Run
We believe that our trip numbers should never be your problem. Whether our group size is 3 or 33, we run all of our trips to the same premium standard. We value your trust in us and understand how excited you must be. Once you’ve booked your spot on any of our trips, that’s it – you’re coming. So confirm your annual leave, book your flights and start packing!
More Ride Options
We understand that this is your cycling holiday and that you have your own goals and desires. We get to know you and give you a minimum of 3 ride options every day, so you can tailor your trip and manifest your dreams. Our goal is to have you achieve and experience everything you’ve set out to – and more. As corny as it sounds, there is nothing more rewarding for us than your smile at the end of each day. Oh, and hugs. We love hugs, especially after you’ve achieved something so meaningful to you.
Ride More, Transfer Less
We know you’d much rather be sitting on your bike than in a vehicle, so we design our itineraries to ride more and transfer less. There’s a great sense of satisfaction that comes with riding point to point so, whenever possible, we build this into our itineraries. Riding more and transferring less is also achieved by multiple nights stay in strategically located hotels, so there’ll be times throughout the trip where you can unpack your bags and call your room home for a few days.
Spectators Welcome
Whether you’re a fan of Pro Cycling, or your partner is a cyclist – you are welcome and encouraged to join our trips. Taking care of spectators is a specialty of ours. We give you plenty of options throughout the tour. Whether you want to experience the beauty of the ride routes by vehicle and join up with your cycling partner en route, cheer the pro-riders at race viewing points or spend time wondering the beautiful villages and cities we visit – the choice is yours. We ensure you have as much fun and adventure as the cyclists each day.
We Are "Details" Nerds
There really is no other way to put it. We. Love. Details. We consider every inch of your holiday from the pre-tour organising and planning to the on-tour running of it all. Every decision we make is about giving you the best possible experience. We want you to switch off and enjoy the ride. We know what it’s like to work hard for something, and we love to make you feel rewarded for your efforts. Let us handle the details, so all you have to focus on is having the best time and creating lasting memories.
Pro Bike Mechanic & Rider Support
Each trip has a professional bike mechanic and rider support vehicle. We carry a pro-team work stand, extensive toolbox, essential parts, hydration and nutrition aboard our dedicated support vehicle. Should anything occur en route, we’ll have you sorted and back on your bike in no time.
Bike Security
We take the security of your bike and belongings very seriously when you entrust them into our care. We go the extra mile by implementing a number of security measures and only choose hotels that supply us with secure storage options. We are proud to say that since our first tour in 2007, we have never experienced any problems with personal belongings or bike security on any of our trips.
Fabulous Accommodation
We believe accommodation is more than just a bed for the night. It’s a place to call home when you’re living out of a suitcase. We choose a variety of comfortable, characterful and quality accommodation styles to give you a complete experience. From city chic to family run chalets and everything in between.
Global & Local Experience
When you travel across the globe to be with us, we get excited. We love sharing everything we know and love about the people and places we visit. We ride the secret backroads, reveal the best hidden cafés, introduce you to incredible regional produce and have you feeling like one of the locals sooner than you can say bonjour, buongiorno and hola.
Local Lingo
Travelling to a country where the locals don’t speak your language, can be daunting. So that’s where our local lingo can help alleviate your apprehension. We’ll give you some basic tips on how to interact with the locals so you get the most out of your experience. You don’t have to be an expert, just have a go and remember to pack your sense of humour as there’ll be lots of laughing along the way.
Safety & Skills Coaching
We want you to go home to your family in better condition than when you left, so we place importance on your safety and skills. We’ll infuse you with tips, tricks and customs of riding in the countries we visit to give you the best cycling experience in the safest, most enjoyable way. As part of our service, we offer complimentary skills coaching en route for those wanting to hone any area of their biking. Expert skills coaching has been a unique area of our business for over 20-years, having fine-tuned the skills of pro-cyclists, Olympians, national and world champions.
Travel Tips
We’ve learnt a lot about travelling over the years. Once you’ve booked your trip with us, we can advise you on tips and tricks that will help make your travel experience more enjoyable, less stressful and have you well rested and ready to start your trip in optimum form.
Friendships
One thing you may not have considered when booking your future holiday is the opportunity for friendships. We pride ourselves on creating a group culture with great camaraderie that support and cheer for each other. It’s quite common for our trip participants to become lifelong friends (with us and with each other). Friendships that span the globe is one thing that really gives us a warm fuzzy feeling.
Your Goals Matter
Booking a cycling trip is a great motivator to set health, fitness, riding and travel goals. We are here to cheer you on and guide you through your preparation and link you up to other tour participants upon request. On tour, we do everything we can to see you achieve your goals and celebrate those milestones with you. Our flexible yet organised approach means that we’ve never cancelled a landmark ride in our 10+ year history. Your goals matter and we love seeing you reach them.
We Bring Out The Best
This is our philosophy – our heart and soul. At any given time, we bring out the best of that moment. We’ll show you where to stop and smell the roses, take in the most spectacular views, capture the best selfies and drink the best coffees. We are about savouring the moments and reminding you that you are in the best place at the best time.
ABOUT US
Operating since 2007, we offer a range of bespoke cycling tours across Australia, Europe and Asia.