2 days cycling. 213/263km.

A stunningly beautiful challenge; to complete 100 miles one day and 100 kms the next over two of the most French feeling stages of this year’s Tour.

 

Start with a full 100 mile Tour stage (of joyous vineyard cycling) and follow it the next day with your choice of a 50km or 100km ride, both of which include the stage 7 time trial route.

Neither stage is flat but the views, the villages and the thought of a glass of wine at the end of the day will keep you going. If you haven’t been to Burgundy before (or even if you have) this is a great opportunity to explore some absolutely charming countryside and then watch next week when the pros take on the same stages.

This Loop is easily accessible (by train from the UK or Paris), has no coach transfers and includes 2 nights (the 2nd and 3rd) in the same hotel – which makes for easy logistics and extra time and energy for the challenge and its rewards. Cheers!

Itinerary

Wed 26th June: Travel under own arrangements to Mâcon hotel by 7pm. Meet the team, meet your fellow cyclists, arrival briefing and dinner
Thurs 27th June: Cycle stage 6
Fri 28th June: Cycle stage 7
Sat 29th June: Depart after breakfast, under own arrangements from Dijon hotel.

Stage 6 – Mâcon to Dijon – 163km

Today’s stage is a nigh-on perfect 100 miler… our very own Burgundy wine tour! The first 80km is non-stop vineyard views with orderly lines of vines covering slopes that stretch out in every direction. You’ll recognise plenty of names here, with well known villages and vineyards providing a definite summer holiday feel as we roll along together. With wine comes money and infrastructure and the tarmac is pretty perfect around here too.

Burgundy is a region with a rich history, having been run by the wealthy and powerful Dukes of Burgundy until 1477 when it was annexed by France. Grapes have been grown here since Roman times, and we’ll pass close to the magnificent Cluny Abbey, founded in the tenth century, as well as the modern religious community of Taizé, not forgetting Dijon’s church spires and half-timbered buildings which greet us at the end of the stage.

During the afternoon, the vineyards are replaced by rolling meadows and orchards as we stick with the twisting Saone river valley… there’s enough flat riding today to be able to stay in small groups and enjoy the chat – but the indirect route north has plenty of detours, undulations and picturesque villages to slow us down a bit and help us savour the region.

Le Loop logistics
Start: Mâcon hotel
Finish: Dijon hotel (2 night stay)

 

Stage 7 – Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin – 25km (50km or 100km) TT

Today’s 25km time trial is actually a 50km ride for us because we’ll cycle there and back from our hotel in Dijon. It will also be possible to double the distance and head out for 100km (for those joining us for the TDF Adventure Loop who’d like a bigger challenge and anyone else who doesn’t want to miss out).

The time trial course itself starts out in the shady forests of the Côte d’Or escarpment, before emerging back into the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits. Expect quiet roads, winding through fields and woodland, with views out across the distant hillsides.

We face only one significant climb: the Côte de Curtil-Vergey, which involves less than 2km of ascent at around 6% – and the last 5km into posh Gevrey-Chambertin (all roads lead to wine) will be enjoyably flat and fast.

Le Loop logistics
Start: Dijon hotel
Finish: Dijon hotel

Total Cost Deposit Second Payment
Due end Jan
Final Payment
Due end Mar
Fundraising Target 80% Fundraising
Due end April
 

 

£570

 

£250 £90 £230 £1,000 £800

 

Map
What’s included:
  • Accommodation (Mostly twin share. Single supplements are available to buy by January)
  • All food (3 meals and the best feedstops you’ve ever seen)
  • Fully signed route, the stuff of legend
  • Mechanical, medical and moral support
  • Luggage Transfers
  • Coach transfers to the next stage start when the stages aren’t contiguous
What’s not included:
  • Travel to and from France (but we’ll give you advice on the best travel routes)
  • Bike Transport (£40 each way if you want us to drive your bike there and back)
  • Evening massage (£10 or €10 per massage if you’d like one – highly recommended)
  • Beer/wine/drinks at dinner