The European section of our Cycle Legs journey has been designed by AllTrails in collaboration with Experience Plus, a local company with a 40 year history in the industry.  They know the area intimately and will take you on the back roads, where possible, showing you the sights and involving you with the people, culture and environment while you achieve your goal of cycling through this magnificent country on your way to Paris.

You will cycle past famous castles, monastries, vineyards, rivers, lakes and over mountains.  You are beating a new path with AllTrails and you are part of the expedition.  It is something that you can be proud of completing, yet it is within reach of almost anyone who is adventurous enough to commit to it.

Many cyclists will start their ride with us in Rome on Leg 22 which departs 30 June on the same day as the start of the 2012 Tour de France, however some will pick up the tour in Torino here on Leg 23.  Surrounded by the Alps of Switzerland and France, Torino in Piemonte is pure heaven where National Parks and rugged peaks are abundant and a perfect place to start our Leg 23 journey.  A welcome dinner will be a great opportunity to meet the group and your tour leaders before heading off the next day to begin your assault on the massifs of these mountain ranges, riding through famous cycling territory. 

After conquering Alpe dHuez and other legendary peaks, we pass vineyards and chateaux in the Champagne Burgundy province, pedal along quiet roads through country towns, medieval and renaissance castles and cities, then the climax, watching the last day of the Tour de France at the Champs-Elysees.  Join us for this pioneering bicycling expedition.

Leg 23 Highlights:

• Alpe dHuez, climb Alpe dHuez, stay overnight, then back down the following day
• Optional extra opportunity for catered grandstand package at the final day of the Tour de France
• Cycle over famous Tour de France climbs including Col du Lauteret at 2058 mt
• Cycle Piemonte region
• Cross Italian / French border over the famous Alps
• Piemonte wines
• Torino, the first capital of a unified Italy beginning 1861
• Indulge in Italian and French Culinary Delights
• Independence Day fireworks on Lac du Bourget
• Hot Water Springs
• Burgundy region of vineyards & chateaux
• Grenoble, Lyon following the Seine in Paris
• 2 nights in Paris near Champ-Elysees
• Leg 22 departs on the same day as the start of the Tour de France 2012
• Leg 23 finishes the day before the Tour de France Champ-Elysees finish in Paris

Leg 23 of our Cycle Legs Tours 2 France 2012 is a fully supported cycling holiday crossing the Alps, riding famous cycling routes through vineyards to Paris and includes:

• 13 nights of great accommodation including one night pre accom (Torino) and two nights post ride (Paris)
• Book both legs 22 & 23 and get an extra free night accom & breakfast in Rome or Paris
• 13 cyclist-sized breakfasts
• 7 Dinners including welcome and farewell dinners in Torino and Paris
• 2 afternoon happy hours with complimentary snacks, wine/juice/water
• The safety and assurance of touring with a proud Australian bicycle tour company with a history of great rides since 1997, in conjunction with Experience Plus our local operator
• Phil & Susan McDonald, AllTrails company owner-operators, on tour cycling with you
• Experienced, professional, bilingual local guides
• Daily luggage transfer
• Bike mechanical assistance
• Support vehicle for non-riding partners or those that only wish to cycle some of the distance

We really look after you as much as we can to make your ride as enjoyable as possible and help you make the most of this amazing opportunity.  These cycling holidays offer something for everyone - fast riders, slow riders, half-riders (who want to ride half a day and then get into the support vehicle) and even non-riding partners.