Day 1, Tuesday 15 July 2025

Welcome to France

You'll feel the excitement as soon as you hop off the plane. France is the number one tourist country on the planet and for good reason.

Amazing scenery. Unbelievable food. The best cycling roads on the globe. Oh – and the world's greatest bike race which we’ll see in a couple of days’ time.

Feel free to arrive at any time throughout the day. Our hotel is located close to the airport. Let us know via the RH App when you arrive, and we’ll send the shuttle to pick you up.

This afternoon we’ll put together as many of the bikes as possible. Hire bikes will be in the Pyrenees waiting for us when we get there tomorrow.

Tonight, the chef has promised a regional meal. That's French for using local produce to create a stunning welcoming dinner for us. Oh, there will also be champagne. When in France!!

Welcome. It’s great to have you here.

/ Accommodation: Radisson BLU Toulouse airport
/ Meals Included: Welcome Dinner

PS, we recommend you arrive 1 day early if travelling all the way from NZ. This advice is particularly important if you are bringing your own bike (gives us a chance to fix any damage). Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France. The old square is particularly beautiful. Well worth the extra time. We will book any extra accommodation you need (that way you don’t have to move rooms).

Day 2, Wednesday 16 July 2025

The Magnificent Pyrenees

After breakfast we pack all our bikes and bags onto our luxury bus. We aim to arrive in Argeles by late morning. Waiting for you will be lunch – baguettes. Of course!!

Our base camp hotel for the next four nights is a small family run hotel. It isn't 5 stars; however, you will be treated like royalty and the food is amazing. (It also has a great bar.) We book this hotel every year because of its location. Look up and you can see the likes of Tourmalet, Hautacam, Col du Soulor and Aubisque. If you’re scared of heights, then don’t look up.

Team Macchiato – this afternoon (while we are riding) you hop back in the van and head out to Gavarnie. A UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a fantastic introduction to this part of the world. Prepare to be wowed. Please make sure you have good walking shoes as you have two choices… 1, donkey or 2, by foot. Up to you!!  

For the riders, it’s all about turning the legs over and making sure your bike is running smoothly. For some, it will be the first time you've cycled on the opposite side of the road.

Rides will be about 40km in length. No real mountains today although there is the option to ride Cauterets for those feeling frisky. A very short 5km climb with a false flat of 414VM.  

In our world - less than 7% is a false flat, 7-10% undulating, 10-14% some climbing, 14% and steeper - hills.

Tonight, we dine together as it's time to introduce you to our French team and talk through the plan for the next couple of days. Tomorrow, you see the TDF for the first time. Exciting!!  

/ Accommodation: Hotel Les Cimes
/ Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3, Thursday 17 July 2025

The Magnificent Hautacam – TDF Mountain stage

It's hard to describe the feeling one has when you see the Tour de France live for the first time. Today’s stage finishes at the top of Hautacam and you’ll be there to see all the action. Our official support van will be able to take Team Mac past the road closures. Quite a treat as the road will have been closed to normal traffic for the past 48 hours.

You'll quickly understand why this bike race is so important to the French - they live for it. Viva le Tour! Seeing the race is amazing however it's often the pre-race caravan that has everyone buzzing. You'll see adults diving on the road (and pushing children out of the way in the process) trying to acquire one of the sponsor's products. Sometimes you win and come away with a cycling top, sometimes you lose and find yourself with five bags of washing powder. Mind you - they may come in handy in weeks to come. The atmosphere is electric.

The start of the climb is literally only about 2km from our hotel. That’s plenty of time to warm up. (It’s July in France – you won’t be cold.) The actual climb is only 16km. (Yes, that’s a puppy dog.) It’s the inconsistency that makes it hard. On average you’re talking 7.4% however sections of it are flat as you cycle through gorgeous villages. So, if some sections are flat and the average is 7.4% then that means that other sections must be… ahhh. Not flat!!

For those new to the TDF, we’ll ride to the top in the morning and on the way down find a shaded place to spend the rest of the day. The caravan comes through at about 2pm with the actual race finishing at about 5pm.  It’s a long day but it offers non-stop action. You’ll remember it for the rest of your life.   

/ Accommodation: Hotel Les Cimes
/ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch is own arrangements)

PS, Team Mac - early this morning we’ve booked tickets on the one and only - Pic du Midi de Bigorre from La Mongie (altitude 2,877m). It’s a must do. There's a café at the summit, as well as an interesting observatory, visitor centre and museum. It's then only a short drive back to Hautacam where you’ll catch up with everyone else on the side of the hill.

Day 4, Friday 18 July 2025

The Mighty Aubisque

The secret to a good TDF cycling holiday is ironically – not to see too much of the Tour de France. 3 stages in a row would be too much. Today’s stage is a time trial which tends to be for those with an acquired taste. So, today we give the TDF a miss and concentrate on one of our favourite rides.

As guides, we are often asked which is the best ride in France. There are many to choose from, however for me, Col d'Aubisque is the most beautiful.

After breakfast, we ride the 20km up (yes – up) to Col du Soulor. It's not a challenging climb as it's broken up with typically beautiful French villages. It's then another 10km over to Col d'Aubisque. That 10km will make your eyes water – it’s that good!! 

The great thing about today is that there are plenty of options for every ability. Cappuccinos may decide to get a lift up Soulor and then roll over to Aubisque. Expresso riders may decide to roll down the other side of Aubisque and then climb back up. Totally up to you.

Team Mac - as mentioned, the road between Soulor and Aubisque is the most scenic 10km in the whole of France. (In our humble opinion.) We strongly encourage that you walk it. We'll get you up there nice and early. (Bring a torch for the tunnels.)

Waiting for us at the top of Aubisque is Alex, a good friend of RH and he owns the café. Would be a great place to have lunch. The views from the deck aren't too shabby. We are also joined by the TDF2 group today as well. It will be a sea of Pink and Blue.

After lunch, a 30km downhill to our hotel. We'll have you firmly planted in our hotel bar, beer in hand by the time today’s stage draws to a close. It’s a TT climbing stage that’s short but horrendous. It could literally be the decider for the 2025 yellow jersey.

Tonight, after dinner we head into Lourdes to witness the evening candle lit procession. Even for those who aren't religiously minded the procession is a must as thousands and thousands of pilgrims flock to Lourdes daily, making Lourdes 2nd only to Paris for hotel rooms in France.

/ Accommodation: Hotel Les Cimes
/ Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

PS, for those who want to see the TT – we’ll make it happen. But, with that comes a sacrifice. Today is really your only opportunity to ride Col du Soulor and Aubisque.

Day 5, Saturday 19 July 2025

Col du Tourmalet – Tour de France

For anyone that follows cycling - if you say the words - Col de Tourmalet then you know it's going to be a special day. It is one of the most famous climbs in France with its highest point being 2128m. We will have plenty of options so please don't be worried.

Cappuccino riders - the shortest ride to the top of Tourmalet from our hotel is only 30km, (30km uphill). We will show you our home base café on the way up. There's no pressure. Find a spot to watch the race come through. You can simply turn around when you've had enough.

Latte and espresso riders - we will be encouraging you to do the 102km loop. Departing Argelès Gazost we ride towards Lourdes and on to St Marie de Campan where we'll regroup for coffee. From the café, the road heads into the sky for 17.5km. Some riders will take just over an hour, some will take up to three.

Tourmalet is the first climb of 4 on today’s stage. They could go over the top as early as 1pm. So, after the race comes through, we’ll shoot back down the hill and watch the final action in front of the big screen.  

Team Mac – today can be a bit messy with almost ¼ million TDF spectators. Even with our V.I.P. vehicle, there could be restrictions. Our goal is to get you to the top of Tourmalet prior to our cyclists arriving. We’ll also have a good walk factored in. (Michelle will offer this daily.)  

/ Accommodation: Hotel Les Cimes
/ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch own arrangements)

Day 6, Sunday 20 July 2025

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Today is purely a transfer day. (Non-ride day.) We leave our Pyrenees paradise and head for the beautiful Provence. It's roughly 6 hours on the bus plus stops. Rest your legs, pull up a seat and let's watch the Russian Fly-Fishing movie. (I bet you can’t wait.)

What’s for dinner? It’s on the way to our hotel.  

Undoubtedly the best restaurant I've eaten at in France. Located under a castle wall in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and we return here year after year. We start with a wine tasting in their Roman wine cave and followed by a late lunch. The castle, named Castle of the Popes, can first be accounted for as far back as 1094. Many a Pope lived here from 1316 through to 1387 at which stage it was already a well-established wine region.

Our accommodation for the next 3 nights is set in the heart of the charming Luberon area, the Hostellerie Notre-Dame de Lumières, so relax and enjoy an unforgettable experience in this ancient convent from the 17^th century. Converted into hotel and entirely renovated (with an amazing swimming pool) and only about 30km away from the mythical - Mont Ventoux.

See you in the pool.

/ Accommodation: Notre - Dame de Lumières
/ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch is own arrangements)

PS, we normally visit Carcassonne on the way through however the TDF is visiting the fortified town today. We’ll give it a miss and stop somewhere else for coffee. If we go anywhere near Carcassonne, then our 6-hour drive will turn into 8.     

Day 7, Monday 21 July 2025

Today we ride the Giant 

Get set for the ride of your life. This is the big one. You'll be fit by now so no excuses! A certain rider who once claimed to have won seven Yellow Jerseys, before admitting to the world that he was indeed as high as a kite, used to vouch that Mont Ventoux is the most difficult of all the Tour de France climbs. Drugs or no drugs - Lance is right!

The TDF finishes up here tomorrow. There will also be up to half a million people on the hill that day. Which is why we’re riding the Giant today. There will be zero pressure.

Standing 1,600m above the Cote du Rhone countryside, it's referred to as the Giant of Provence. It's also generally very hot and windy so we'll try and get on the road early this morning. The terrain in the Cote du Rhone region is brilliant. We'll cycle in some of the famous vineyard regions and see the premier varieties of Grenache, Syrah (Shiraz) and Viognier being grown. The landscape around Ventoux is interesting yet varied. You will cycle up through mixed agricultural farmland, past fields of beautiful lavender and through the forests of Ventoux.

Many of us will ride all the way from our hotel to the top and back down the other side. It's 40km until you start the climb so plenty of time to warm up. Latte and Team Macchiato (e-bikes) will be dropped at the base of the great Mountain. Cappuccino cyclists and any non-riders can get a lift to Chalet Reynard (top notch hot chocolate) which sits 6km from the summit.

Today is your best chance for some retail therapy. You've just biked Mont Ventoux - now you need to buy the kit.

Team Mac – Michelle (your guide) has a big day planned. She’s Australian but also local to this area. Monday is market day in Bedoin. Think of NZ’s biggest market and add steroids. You will then visit a couple of the beautiful towns that make this region famous. You haven't been to Provence until you've seen the likes of Gordes, Goult and Vanasque.

/ Accommodation: Hotellerie Notre Dame de Lumieres
/ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch is own arrangements)

PS, in past years we’ve had some cyclists ride Ventoux twice and even 3 times in 1 day. (Yes, it’s a thing as there are 3 different routes up Ventoux.) If you want to do this then we’ll make it happen. Please be warned though that if you choose to ride Mont Ventoux 3 times then we will drug test you in front of the group.

Day 8, Tuesday 22 July 2025

Mont Ventoux on race day 

OK, Hautacam and Tourmalet were epic, but nothing can compete with seeing the TDF live on Mont Ventoux. Wout van Aert won this stage back in 2021 and will no doubt be targeting it again. My pick is Tom Pidcock. He’s won on Alpe d’Huez. Only Ventoux could triumph that!!  

We won’t know the exact timings until closer to the day. The official race route (with exact roads) isn’t released until May. Generally speaking – ASO usually work backwards from a 5pm finish. (prime TV viewing)  

Our day looks like this… we’d encourage as many of you as possible to ride from our hotel to Bedoin. It’s a really nice ride and quite a few of you will have skipped this on Sunday. Around 40km.

We’ll set up a home base in Bedoin. Discover France who own all the hire bikes have a base there. They also have coffee. Let’s park the vehicles there. You can come and go as you please.  

When you are ready you can simply roll out with the wave of velo traffic that’s heading up the hill. Shade will be key so pick your spot wisely. There’s no pressure on you getting to the top today as you’ve been there, done that. You can ride 6km, 12 or go all the way. It’s totally up to you.

Team Mac – we’ll target a spot at about the 10km mark. It will be really easy for your cycling loved one to find you.

At the end of the stage – cyclists simply need to point the bike downhill. We will be waiting. The bad news is that the traffic will be bad. The good news is that our bus has a bar and its happy hour as we head back to our hotel.

Tonight is our last night in Provence. Tomorrow, we travel higher into the Alps.

/ Accommodation: Hotellerie Notre Dame de Lumieres
/ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch is own arrangements)

Ps, the Ventoux stage is well known for the descent. It’s a bit chaotic but in a nice way. Keep your eyes open though as even the pro riders descend at the same time as you. 

Day 9, Wednesday 23 July 2025

TDF race start & Meribel Ski Resort

The next 2 nights are in France’s # 1 ski resort town. Meribel, is set high in the mountains. Surrounded by awesome skiing and in my humble opinion, the best bike path on the planet. And that is exactly why we are here. Tomorrow, we ride Col de la Loze. It will also be our 4^th and final TDF experience of the trip.

Let’s get back to today. It’s about a 350km drive. Along the way is the stage 17 TDF start in Bollene. We always like to include a race start as it’s a hive of activity. You’ll get the chance to see riders warming up and also signing on for today’s stage. It’s also a great chance to buy official TDF souvenirs.  

There will be a bike ride planned. It will either be very early or quite late in the day. By this stage of the trip, we’ll be pretty good at reading the room. One option could be the brand-new bike path up Col de la Tougnete which is only a couple of km’s away from our hotel. Standing at 2400m. 100m higher than Loze which is the 11th highest paved trail in France. That makes it higher than d’Huez, Aubisque, Tourmalet, etc, etc. I don’t need to go on.

Dinner is included the next couple of nights. That’s because 95% of the hotels close down for summer. It’s just as well we were smart and booked really early. Anyway, see you at the hotel restaurant.

/ Accommodation: Hotel La Tarentaise, Meribel
/ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch is own arrangements)

PS, Team Mac - totally up to you however you may or may not have seen enough cycling by this stage of the trip. It’s our suggestion that you skip the TDF and spend the day in Annecy. It’s only a short detour from tonight’s hotel but well worth it. You could even hire bikes and ride around the lake. Michelle will finalise the plan with you on tour.  

Day 10, Thursday 24 July 2025

Col de la Loze - Queen stage for the 2025 Tour de France

TDF or no TDF. We would have been riding Col de la Loze regardless today. In 2019, we were literally the first group (in the whole entire wide world) to ride the brand-new paved path that links Courchevel and Méribel. It opened the day before we arrived. At 2,300m, the French created the 11th highest paved Col in France. And it was built purely with cycling in mind. Bless the French!!

You can ride side by side, knowing that there’s zero chance of any vehicles. It’s that nice that in 10 years’ time your cycling buddies will be asking you “have you ridden Col de la Loze?” Alpe d’Huez will be sooo yesterday!

You may remember Loze for being the deciding TDF stage in 2023. Pogi was absolutely destroyed by Vingegaard. I wonder who Loze will destroy today? Could it be a repeat or will Pogi get his revenge?  

Staying on the mountain means that you have the whole day to ride only 40km. Personally, I rank this loop higher than the worlds other sexy 40km loop – the Sella Ronda in Italy. It does involve a wee bit of climbing though … just over 2000VM. But you have the whole day. (You’ll be super fit by this stage of the trip.)

The Whippets amongst us can choose to do it twice. Clockwise and anti-clockwise. 80km and almost 4500m of climbing. Please be warned, if you do this then we will name and shame you at dinner. You will also be tested for drugs.

Team Mac – it’s a bike path so we can’t drive you to the top however there is a gondola. In 2023 there was live music, food tents and a really good atmosphere. Also, from the top there are quite a few walking options.   

/ Accommodation – Hotel La Tarentaise, Meribel
/ Meals included – Breakfast and Dinner (Lunch is own arrangements)

PS, you may or may not be interested but under French law our bus driver needs to have 2 complete rest days. Today is one of those. The other was on day 3 while we were riding Hautacam. Enjoy your day Luc.

Day 11, Friday 25 July 2025

Col d’Izoard

It’s about a 2-hour drive to our hotel which is near the town of Briancon. Known for being the highest city in France but also the base of the spectacular Col d’Izoard. For us, the most scenic climb in the Alps. It is quite long @ 19km. But, not as scary as some of the steeper hills with an average of just over 5%.

500m from the top of d’Izoard is a fascinating building called Napoleon’s Refuge. It transpires that the man himself left a large amount of money in his will to this particular French Provence - mainly to thank the local people for their support. It was decided that the best way of using this money was to build shelters on isolated high mountain passes. The shelter has now been turned into a café. I wonder what he would say now if he knew that a few skinny cyclists wandered in every day and ask “latte please”?

For those who are keen on extra VM then simply roll over the top and down the other side. Stop when you’ve had enough. Turn around and rejoin the rest of us. (Make sure you have lights though as there are tunnels on the other side.)

Team Mac - you spend your day in Briancon. The old town is called Cité Vauban, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ve booked a local guide to show you around. It’s a 2-hr walking tour so please make sure you have good shoes. This town is not flat and most of the streets are narrow and cobblestones.

This evening, we plan on visiting the excellent local spa and thermal pools. Time to give some love back to your weary legs. NOTE – all men need Speedos or equivalent to access the pools, no baggy board shorts allowed! Yes, you won’t be allowed in.

/ Accommodation: Grand Hotel, Serre Chevalier
/ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch is own arrangements)

Day 12, Saturday 26 July 2025

Galibier or the Munta - Flexibility is key!!

Our last full day in the Alps. Your choice. Galibier or the MUNTA?  Or both...

Option 1 - remember stage 11 of the 2022 TDF, when Pogacar cracked and lost over 2 mins to the eventual yellow jersey winner? Well!! Col du Granon is literally across the road from our hotel. It can only be described as a Munta. 10km and 10%. The view from the top is awesome and there's the added bonus of a really remote café at the top. So, only a 20km ride today. In the small print – 1000 VM.

Option 2 - is what the majority of you should do. Especially if you haven’t been up Col du Galibier before.

It's a very gentle ride up to Col du Lautaret from our hotel. 20km at 3-4%. That's flat. There's coffee and more importantly donuts at the top. You can chill out here for a while and re-group.

It's then only a short wee 8km (up) to Col du Galibier. It's not that difficult until you reach the last 1km which is when the shit starts to get real. Galibier is our highest point of the tour at 2642m and is the 8th highest paved road in the Alps.

More importantly, keep an eye (and ear) out for marmots. I counted about 30 on this climb in 2024. They’re everywhere but you really do have to look out for them. You’ll hear a high pitch whistle. Follow the whistle and you’ll find the marmot.  

Team Mac – a great opportunity for you to hire e-bikes and ride with us up Galibier. If cycling isn’t your thing, then we encourage you to join us at the top regardless. The views are not to be missed. We need you to hand out the lollies. But wait... there’s more… at the top of Lautaret is a garden that’s recognised throughout France as being one of the best. It’s actually funded by the local university. We’ve booked a walking guide to show you around as the cyclists pedal downhill towards the next hotel.

Late this afternoon, we should all get together to watch the final hour of today’s TDF penultimate stage. Who will be in yellow?

/ Accommodation: Grand Hotel, Serre Chevalier
/ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch is own arrangements)

PS, our hotel is 50m away from a gondola which will take you to the top of the local ski mountain. It’s something that you should factor in. Even if it’s only popping up there for an hour or so. (Restaurant and bar at the top.)   

Day 13, Sunday 27July 2025

L’ALPE D’HUEZ

We leave the French Alps and head towards Lyon and the end of our journey together.

Hmm, the elephant in the room!! On the way to Lyon – we ride. Yes, you should be excited. Today we hit one of the world’s most iconic mountains - L’Alpe d’Huez. The name sends shudders down the spine. Each switchback features a past TDF stage champion. (Some of which have now been deleted, Lance?)

From our Serre Chevalier hotel it’s about a 90min drive. Please make sure you have all your cycling gear ready. Generally, it’s a very hot (as in temperature) climb so I want to have you riding by 9.30am.

The Alpe d’Huez was first climbed in the 1952 TDF. It rises 1,100m vertically over 14km and has 21 legendary hairpin turns. The climb can be broken up into three stages. The first part is the steepest with gradients above 10% for the first 6 hairpins until the hamlet of La Garde. The gradient then eases a little to 8% after hairpin 6, and the

turns become more spread out for the following 6km’s. With only 5 hairpins left, the gradient ramps up again for 1km to 11% before easing off to 9% till you reach the Alpe d’Huez village. It’s only 2km to go to the top at around 5% gradient, you can now relax a little and enjoy the fruits of all your hard work.

Team Mac – we will have 2 vans on the hill. The road is a bit narrow for the bus. One of the vans will head straight to the top where there are quite a few nice walks. The other will park up halfway and set up a drinks station for the cyclists. You have the choice – either go for a walk or give some support to your loved one. I’m sure they could do with the encouragement.

In the village of d’Huez there are a large number of restaurants, more retail and also cycling shops. We will have the vans there so feel free to shop until you drop. After lunch, cyclists roll back down the hill to where the bus is waiting. It’s only 140km to Lyon and our destination for tonight.

Our Lyon hotel is situated at the airport. Making it easy for tomorrow. There will be some admin to work through this afternoon as we help pack bikes into bike bags. It’s then time for our farewell dinner.

/ Accommodation: NH Lyon
/ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch is own arrangements)

Day 14, Monday 28 July 2025

Safe travels home

Our tour finishes after breakfast. For some it's time to head home, while others will take some time in Nice or head off to explore other parts of Europe.

Thank you for joining us on the adventure of a lifetime and the greatest sporting event in the world. Let’s have a look at what we achieved.

• Col du Soulor – Cat 1
• Col d’Aubisque - HC
• Col du Tourmalet - HC
• Hautacam – HC
• 2 x Mont Ventoux – HC
• Alpe d’Huez – HC
• Col de la Loze – HC
• Col du Lautaret – Cat 1
• Col d’Izoard -HC

Again, I want to reassure you that there will be shorter options each day. The list above is pretty impressive, but we are on holiday. It’s not a training camp. 

Team Mac – Michelle will make sure you have a wonderful trip. A mixture of markets, wineries, walking, sightseeing while also experiencing the 2025 Tour de France. Closer to July, we’ll ask you what your perfect holiday looks like and we’ll put a plan in place around that.

Thank you for joining Ride Holidays.

Safe travels home. We look forward to seeing you on the next adventure.

Karl, Dean, Chris and the RH team