Haute Route - Alps 2024 : Bookings Open

7 Day Race : 10 Day Package

• Top Level Accommodation

• Fully Catered Tour

• Airport, Train Station or Hotel Transfers on tour days

• Luggage logistics 

• Breakfast, lunch and dinners plus drinks

• Masseur on the twowheeltours staff

• Mechanic on the twowheeltours staff

• Staff on course at rest stops

• Laundry

• Single Occupancy

• More details listed in the Haute Route FAQ Tab

Pricing

• 10 Days €6,225 Single Supplement : INCLUDES HR Race Entry

• 10 Days €5,685 Twin Share : INCLUDES HR Race Entry

Payment dates:

• €2,000 to confirm your place

• Final payment due 20 April

• All payment details are outlined on your statement 

Prices subject to change due to Haute Route pricing

Contact info@twowheeltours.com.au for more information

2023 to be updated once route is confimred

Alps Hotels

twowheeltours prides ourselves on starting and ending our fully catered tours in the best possible accommodation. Information on the hotels where twowheeltours stays during the event is available to our clients. If you would like details on those hotels please send us an email at info@twowheeltours.com.au

Les Loges Blanches - Megeve - Start

We look forward to our starting our fully catered tour in Megeve at this very comfortabel  four star hotel . Riders can relax in the outdoor heated swimming pool or sauna before or after the Stage 1. The rooms are very spacious and all have a terrace with a splendid view. The hotel is  situated within walking and easy ride distance to the center of Megève.

Beau Rivage - Nice - Finish

This is the second year twowheeltours will stay at the beautiful Beau Rivage Hotel (4 star). Set in an 1860 building restored by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. A modern upscale hotel, across the road the Med and close to the Official start and registration for the HR. 

Those on the 10 day Fully Catered Tour will spend one night in this lovely hotel. Many of our riders are arriving early into Nice to get settled before heading to Geneva. For breakfast, riders will have a vast selection of quality regional produce at the hot and cold buffet in the Les Galets restaurant. 

We will have access to the hotels private beach and dine by the water in their restaurant.

twowheeltours has been lucky enough to have been involved with events such as the Haute Route (since 2011) and the Ride Across Portugal (since 2017) - both of their inception years. Since then, we have had hundreds of riders from +20 countries join us on cyclo-sportive tours.  

Some of the most important factors to remember:

Events like the Haute Route and Ride Across Portugal have been around for years and if this is your first multi-day, welcome to the family.  

The stages are not ALL about climbs, remember, what goes up must come down and then there are all those rolling hills plus flat sections where teamwork is an advantage! 

Make sure you have done some bunch riding.

Also, make sure you have done some riding in the rain. Nobody likes getting wet but there is always the chance that a stage may be a damp one.   

At the end of each tour, we ask our clients for advice for those who are attempting a multi-day cycling event:

If you're into the technology, Garmin climbpro, plus a power meter and knowing your numbers makes the climbing a lot less stressful and much easier to manage. If you're not into the technology you should reconsider. GPS routing and climbpro really lets you relax and enjoy the ride, wherever you are. Also, bring all your gear. Southern Australia is not like Northern Australia. The weather can actually change a lot from day to day. If you are planning on extending your stay, I would do that after the riding, not before.

Tim - Australia

Use a Tour Operator, twowheeltours.

Paolo - Italy  

For newcomers, what lies ahead can be intimidating and all the more so with a group of super strong riders. Do not be afraid to ask an experienced/repeat rider (who is on tour) to talk about their experiences and what they found helpful. 

Pete - Canada

As much as possible, try to train on climbs equivalent to those on the Haute Route. For Aussies, that might need to be the Snowies… or near Bright.

James - Australia

Start easy, that one day at a time, 1 climb at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself.

Greg - USA

Cannot over stress the rushed nature of everything. The mornings come fast and furious.

Mike - USA

Get the training in beforehand as you will enjoy the experience more AND eat before the ride and during the ride at a minimum 50 grams of carbs per hour and after the ride. You do these things and will have energy during the ride and for everything else you want to do (outside of riding) on the trip to make the most of the place you are visiting.

Simon - Australia

Your enjoyment of the trip will be directly proportional to the training you put in. With the training. I would also emphasise the importance of including plenty of low cadence/high force training to replicate what happens on the road in the long and steep climbs. I would also advise people renting a bike to consider a 34 if they are at all concerned about being over-powered/worn out by steep gradients. 

Andrew - Australia

If travelling with twowheeltours, you don't need to think of, or stress over, any details. Everything is taken care of.

Steve - Wales 

Be Tassie weather prepared.

Matt - Australia

You will meet some great characters and you don’t have to be a competitive rider to enjoy these tours [Gravel Tasmania]. 

Dave - Australia

Have a ride plan each day. Pacing is crucial from the first climb to the last each day and each stage. Keep the efforts to a minimum. You will be passing people on the last climb every day doing it this way versus being the person being passed. Ride to power and HR ceilings. Any higher and you will burn out. Perhaps not today, but one day. 

Richard - Australia

Train beforehand! Seriously train.

Terry - USA

Always pack cold and wet weather gear for destinations that may have '4 seasons in one day', and take up the offer of the van carrying extra gear in your musette.

Roslyn - Australia

Train, train and train.

Eimear - Ireland

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip (in Tasmania) but there were moments when I was on my limit on some of the short climbs. So check your riding level and capability.

Keith - Australia

On the bike > breathe ... eat ... drink ... enjoy!

Owen - Australia

Train and know it will not be enough.

David - USA

Embrace the experience! Rain, punctures, cramp, bone-chilling cold, transfers - they are all part of what makes the Haute Route such a challenge. And talk to your fellow riders - everyone has a story to tell.

Adrian - Australia

Have the utmost confidence in the professionalism of twowheeltours and Will's staff.

Sergio - Italy

Preparation. Most important is consistent training and lots of it. Work on strength and endurance. Focus on getting the body to recover from a long day and be ready for the next. Lots of riding required, never underestimate back to back riding in Europe.

Grant - Australia

Preparation and attention to detail. Put in the kms of training. This is not something that can be finished without true training preparation in the legs. Also, invest in a really good "butt butter" type product that works for you and figure out how to minimize saddle sore discomfort.

Paul - USA

Buy a Castelli Gabba!! [Prepare for all weather conditions]

Mark - Australia

Train - simulate actual event. Make sure you have the right clothes - bring what is on the Packing List and prepare for cold weather riding.

Stan - USA

Train a lot. Prepare for all weather conditions. Eat a lot on the bike. Take in the scenery.

Dave - Australia

Train, train and train to be able to enjoy the HR and not suffer every day.

Mike - Netherlands 

Install a climbing cassette before you leave.

Stephen - Australia

This is an open door: the Haute Route is harder than you think it is - try to keep your body weight as low as possible before the event. You will not regret it.

Paul - Netherlands

For first time riders (in Tasmania) be warned that it is not for the faint hearted.

Tom - Australia 

Haute Route is a long event - bad days could be followed by good days...so take it easy the first two days and always pay attention to good nutrition. Put up serious training before any Haute Route event. You will appreciate much more the event with trained legs

Stefan - Brazil

Train for a solid three months including a significant amount of hill climbing. You must have a high dgree of fitness otherwise you are wasting your time. Also put on a 32 cassette. 

Noel - Australia

Don't allow the physical and psychological challenge of the HR to get in the way of enjoying the wonders associated with riding a bike through some of the most beautiful natural scenery one can find anywhere.

Paul - Switzerland 

Arrive fit with experience of 10km climbs.

Geoff - Australia

Manage your efforts on the first few days, particularly on any long drags up a valley when it is easy to burn matches.

Keith - UK

Make sure you have appropriate fitness.

Dave - Australia 

Train, train and then train more. If your goal is too complete a seven day event, make sure you pace yourself on the first few days and then if you feel good you can increase your effort on the later stages. If your goal is to position as high as possible I now know that you need to push yourself hard from day 1! But no matter what your goal is just try and take it all in and enjoy the moment. 

Will - UK

Trust Will’s advice and descend within your abilities.

Bruce - Australia 

Train in a peloton/group to understand the group dynamics on the road - also helps to have plenty of miles in the legs before you turn up. Finally, train for hills and the flat roads will take care of themselves.

Paul - Australia

Relax and let the team handle all the logistics! I was swamped with everything prior to get to Bormio, but then I realised the team had everything under control and I could rely on them completely. Doing that really helped me enjoy the week.

Adria - Spain

First time rider, work on some bike handing skills and in your training do some simple single track (for those doing a Gravel Tour)

John - Australia

As far as racing, race your own race. Don't get too caught up in others excitement. As far as the twowheeltours part, stop and smell the roses. Enjoy yourself and your teammates and just relax. 

Ned - USA 

Pack well, have the right gears on the bike and plenty of riding in your legs. if you do not have a coach then find one. Their guidance on endurance riding, interval training and recovery is well worth the cost.

Ian - Australia

You can relax knowing that Will and his team will have designed a tour to suit your aspirations, budget and needs. You can also relax knowing that if your circumstances change that Will knows how to adapt the tour.

Kymbal - Australia

Don't worry about going hard to stay in a group as the twowheeltours guys will be there to support the first and last rider.  

Richard - Australia

Do the necessary hill training and endurance work. Use hill repeats if no long hills available.

Aidan - Ireland

Train, Prepare mentally, get use to eating a lot of food with heavy training. Learn the in’s and out’s of your bike, you will pick up early if something isn’t right.

Mitch - Australia

Don't pack too much cycling gear, there are wash days.

Graham - Australia

Train well, get a a couple of back to back days in ideally in mountain terrain.

Kieran - Ireland 

Talk to as many of the group as you can - all great people with different experiences as riders and otherwise. Don't stress about the weather- you cannot change it. 

JR - Australia

Train to do the length of rides that are planned so you can enjoy them.

Mark - Australia 

Train hard. Seek advice from others. Understand you will be grinding / spinning up a slope for what main be two or more hours. Hopefully you are confident with that.

David - Australia

Keep riding, let Will tell you stories, use his energy, if everyone else is doing it you can too (in terms of fitness), relax and have fun. For Ride Across Portugal, it’s not a race it’s a ride, you literally have nothing else to do all day other than ride your bike.

Kristin - USA

Go steady at the start, but not too steady. Be ok to push yourself, and trust in your training. The sooner you get to the end, the more recovery time you’ll have.

Stuart - Australia

Have enough training hours in your legs.

Michael - Australia

Good gearing, avoid deep dish wheels up high in the wind, and do not chase on day one. 

Stephen - Australia

It's worth getting fit for the trip rather than hoping you'll ride into it. If you're fitter and therefore don't struggle as much on the climbs you can enjoy the scenery.

Adrian - Australia

It's a 7 day race. Pace the 7 stages, save something for the end of each day and the last couple of days. For a HR 3 day event, it is lot different from HR 7 day. 3 day with add-on tourism package means you can really enjoy it. I guess only advice would be to train right ahead of time. Make sure you are ready for climbing.

Brent - USA

Relax, enjoy every day. Put as much time into road miles as you can based on the time you have available pre trip. Don’t feel intimidated as in my experience there will always be a broad cross section of riders and you will be looked after by twowheeltours.

Greg - Australia

I want to say do it with an organised group like twowheeltours but in hindsight, I appreciate that my first HR was done with friends only, doing all the extra bits myself. It made me really appreciate the luxury of Will & crew and how much easier it made the stages. So my real advice to a first timer is to ask advice, from people that you know that have done it before. Even regarding travel and best routes etc. Understand all the logistically elements before you arrive, so that you can have fun in the race and don't have to sweat the small stuff either side of the stages. It makes the whole event more relaxed and enjoyable.

Jocelyn - Australia

Go easy on day one! Don't burn all your matches on that first day.

Simon - Australia

Do it with twowheeltours. Find an experienced coach and ask him to make a training plan for Haute Route. If the coach has done a Haute Route or done stage racing that would be better. Spend time on training as much as you can so that you will not regret. You need to do some 6+ hour days as part of your training.
Don't care about other riders who pass you. 
Keep your pace - the Haute Route is long.
Never work too hard especially on the first day.
Don't think about the upcoming passes and stages which remain, just concentrate on the climb or descend you are facing.

Kenji - Japan

If you want to challenge yourself and have an amazing time with like minded people, then just do it.  You get heaps of support during the ride from twowheeltours. Plus if you find you are struggling on a particular day, you will have a great network of riders, both other participants and support crew to provide encouragement and help. If it's all still to much, then there is a support van to jump into and then have another go the next day. Although there is some challenging riding for a newbie (in Tasmania for the gravel tour), with the right attitude and guidance from those you are riding with you can achieve new skills and take your riding to a new level.
For non riders, come along to support your loved ones, or friends, eat at some fantastic restaurants, enjoy first class accommodation and get to see some new sights and meet new people. Plus it beats going to work.

Bryce - Australia

Mix with all the people on the tour to get the most out of the experience.

Garren - Australia

Pace yourself - don't go full gas on day 1 or at the start of any stage unless you are an experienced stage racer.

David - Australia

Get a good training program that focuses on hill climbing and endurance - do the prep, ride to your ability, pace your efforts to enjoy each day. 

Michelle - Australia

We also offer a NON RIDING partner program - imagine your own multi-lingual tour guide, taking you to cultural and architectural highlights of the region then meeting up with the riders after each stage at the best local restaurants

In conjunction with and supporting the fully catered rider’s tours to all our events, twowheeltours offers partners a very special travel experience. Our Non-Riding Partner Program is led by a multilingual guide who will take you on a cultural journey covering the following highlights:

• All lunches and morning/afternoon teas

• Visits to unique historical landmarks

• Walks through National Parks

• Cooking classes at exceptional restaurants

• Casual riding on electric bikes through picturesque villages and landscapes

• Wine tasting and vineyard tours 

• Opportunity to customise the Program to your own interests

 Pricing

• 10 Days €3,200 : HR Alps

• 8 Days €2,800 : HR Pyrenees

We also offer Non Rider Packages WITHOUT activities, where you spend days on-course. These packages are lower in price.

Please contact twowheeltours for more information and to register your interest for this unique and exciting program

Information from 2022 Haute Route Alps : 2023 TBC by HR

Sunday 21 August 2022

Nice – Cuneo 

INTO ITALY

181km/4100 m+

The 2022 edition of the Haute Route Alps will be getting underway with a bang, setting out from the stunning seaside metropolis of Nice and heading straight for the mountains with a huge opening stage. Conquering two epic cols in 181km and accruing 4100m+ across two countries, Stage One is not pulling any punches. Winding into the green, rolling hills above Nice, riders will leave the Côte d’Azur, passing through quiet villages to the first col on the menu; the iconic Col du Saint-Martin. Then, in an Haute Route Alps-first, the course climbs the legendary Col de la Lombarde into Italy. This spectacular 20-kilometre climb to the Italian border will be one to remember. The first stage comes to an end at the vibrant Italian city of Cuneo.

Monday 22 August 2022

Cuneo – Col d’Izoard

TWO GIANTS

118km/3600 m+

Backing up from an epic first leg, the second stage of the Haute Route Alps is going to be an all-time great. Racing away from Cuneo, riders will have all eyes on the legendary Col d’Agnel. Featured in both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France, this special climb is the third-highest paved road in the Alps. After descending back into France, the focus will shift to another classic: Col d’Izoard. The scene of countless Tour battles (36 to be precise), Izoard will not disappoint. Climbing from the south, past the incomparable Casse Desserte, riders will reach the summit with 117km and 3,600m+ under their belts.

Tuesday 23 August 2022

Serre Chevalier Briançon – Les 2 Alpes

ALL FOR THE VIEWS

108km/3200 m+ 

Stage Three packs a lot into just 108km. A long ascent to Col du Lautaret from Serre Chevalier Briançon is the perfect warm up, with steady gradients and epic views of the Écrins mountain range. But the main course of the day will no doubt be the spectacular loop to Alpe d’Huez via Col de Sarenne, and the unforgettable balcony road to Le Freney d’Oisans. The quiet road to Sarenne winds deep into the Alps, with sprawling views you have to see to believe. After topping the col, riders will enjoy the remote and scenic nine-kilometre traverse into Alpe d’Huez before starting the descent of its legendary switchbacks. The piece de resistance will be the staggering Auris balcony road, carved into the sheer rock face stretching along the valley. The stage comes to a dramatic close with the race to Les 2 Alpes.

Wednesday 24 August 2022

Les 2 Alpes – Méribel

ON YOUR TOES

152km/4100 m+ 

Stage Four of the 2022 Haute Route Alps is all about the hard yards, starting with the famous - and arguably infamous - Col du Glandon. With steep ramps to keep you on your toes, this 1300m+ climb is one breakfast spin you won’t soon forget. Continuing the race north, eyes will soon turn to the next challenge of the day - and it’s a big one. With long sections of road with gradients in the double figures, the formidable climb to Col de la Madeleine will put every rider to the test. The stage will finish with the triumphant climb to Méribel, where riders can celebrate passing the half way mark of the race with this epic 4100m+ ride.

Thursday 25 August 2022

Méribel – Col de la Loze

LOVE OR LOATHE LA LOZE

Time Trial

10km/850 m+ 

Choosing the location for the Haute Route Alps time trial is always a fun task. It’s an opportunity to condense everything we love about riding in the Alps into one all-out uphill blast. And the 2022 time trial is no exception. In an Haute Route first, Col de la Loze will host the finish line for the uphill time trial. Churning out equal amounts of breathtaking beauty and heartbreaking double-figure ramps, this 10km climb from Méribel to La Loze will keep the best of them on their toes.

Friday 26 August 2022

Méribel – Megève

THE CLASSICS

138km/3500 m+

The penultimate stage will take riders from Méribel to Megève via some classic climbs guaranteed to take your breath away. Riders will start the day with the stunning switchbacks to the Col du Tra, before heading north to the legendary Cormet de Roselend. Featuring in no less than 12 Tour de France stages, Roselend is as legendary as it is spectacular, making it the ultimate bucket-list pass. Dropping down the north-west side of the pass with it’s stunning turquoise lake, riders then turn their attention to lovely Saisies, racing into the green rolling mountains surrounding Megève.

Saturday 27 August 2022

Megève – Megève

THE GRAND FINALE

99km/2400 m+

Saving some of the best for last, the final stage of the 2022 Haute Route Alps will be an absolute beauty. In an epic, 148km loop from Megève, the stage will take in a host of short climbs around the stunning green surrounds of the Haute-Savoie. With Col de l’Epine, Col de la Croix Fry and Col des Aravis all on the menu, the picturesque ride is the perfect final chapter to this edition of the Haute Route Alps.

All event information will be on the Haute Route Ride with GPS App. This is a fantastic addition to the event with all details available in the one location including the GPS Courses.

The Haute Route update details on the App as required. 

All riders can log in with the specific code which you will receive in the month before the event.   

From years past, they printed a document and also released it as a PDF. Here is an example from the Haute Route Oman 2019 guide book - LINK. 

For a blast from the past, see this example from 2015 of what the Guide Book looked like.

Other guides:

• Pyrenees 2019

• Alps 2019

• Oman 2019

• 2018 official training guide

• 2017 official training guide

Past Grimpeur Magazine 

The Haute Route quarterly digital magazine is the go-to reference for all things Haute Route. Featuring exclusive interviews, rider profiles, event previews, unique articles, guest columns and much much more. A great resource for all Haute Route riders.

• Spring 2019

• Summer 2019

• Autumn 2019

• Winter 2019

• Spring 2020

From the Haute Route, we receive the GPX files before the event. We (twowheeltours) turn them into ‘Ride with GPS’ links and then email them to our riders so you can see the elevation gains etc. EG from 2018:

Stage 1

110.7km with 3,010m