Trip two starts Sat July 11 from Lyon through to Mon July 20 in Paris – fly in to Lyon or Grenoble

Saturday / Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday - July 11 to 16 – leave morning 17

We will collect you from airport and drive to our Chalet we have the rare opportunity of six days in the one location at a beautiful Chateau on the banks of Aix Les Bains. Today is set up the bikes day and watch the Tour on TV and have our first grand evening dinner.

Sunday July 12 - Grand Colombier

A legendary mountain top finish where we will catch up with the team in Lyon and get our instructions for the day. Those wanting to ride parts of this challenging route will leave earlier than the rest who will have instructions on how to hand out the bidons on one of the main climbs. We will all meet at a designated spot to watch the finish together. 

“At last” might say the relieved enthusiasts of what is also known as the “Bugey pyramid” who had been requiring a summit finish there for quite some time. And it’ll almost be an entire climb of the Grand Colombier that will be organised for this 15th stage with indeed three of the four access roads covered. The final climb of the mountain, the one where it won’t be possible to hide will start in Culoz. The battle promises to be intense on the eve of the second rest day!

Monday July 13 - Rest day in Ise’re

We join the team at their hotel and meet all the staff and watch them at work. A great opportunity to check out the team bus and team truck. Have lunch with Whitey and a quick hello with the riders. Option to ride to and from our hotel (60 km each way)

Tuesday July 14 La Tour du Pin – Villard de Lans

Bastille Day, France’s national day and another day in the French Alps. If your feeling fit then a big day on the bike is in store for you. Again a few of us will be on bidon duty. We will all meet again at a designated spot for some lunch and to watch the finale. Then back home to watch the fireworks.

Wednesday July 15 – Grenoble to Meribel - Col de la Loze

Another tough day in the Alps with not only a challenging finale up the Col de la Loze but the daunting Col de la Madeleine, at 2000 metres.  –

Thursday July 16 – Meribel to La Roche sur Foron

Our final day in the idyllic Aix Les Bains.

Five climbs and a downhill finish. Again it will be out guests who want a tough day on the bike who will get their wish. The rest of us will enjoy bottle duty and then get to a VIP function on the finish line. Those riding will be joining us there.

Friday July 17 – Bourg en Bresse to Champagnole

A sprint stage with a tough finish. Perfect for Caleb Ewan.

Two days before the end of the race, the title and podium contenders might have the freedom to start focusing on the challenge that awaits the following day. It’ll therefore be up to the sprinters having survived the Alps to seize this opportunity to shine. The finish is really made for strong men.

Saturday July 18 - Lure > La Planche des Belles Filles

Individual time trial 36 km. Known as the race of truth where each rider races himself and the clock.

We then have a three hour drive to one of my favourite destinations. I have stayed in this idyllic valley, an hour south of Paris, at least a dozen times. The family run winery and restaurant is full of old world charm. Vincent is the Patron and chef but he and all his family are renowned jazz musicians. There is a pool and small par 3 golf course (very basic) . Elizabeth is the boss and she is English so that helps of course.

Sunday July -  Mantes-la-Jolie > Paris Champs-Élysées

We will be staying in 5 star luxury on the Champs Elysees.

We will watch the final stage from the VIP stands right on the finish line sipping champagne and screaming for Caleb to repeat last year’s amazing win.

Monday is leaving day but there is an opportunity to stay and join me for a legendary lunch. Rupert Guinness is one of the world’s leading cycling journalists and we have lunch together in a little Italian restaurant on the Monday after the Tour. This has grown into a fantastic event and some of the biggest characters of the tour join us.