Alpe d'Huez Challenge 2015

Challenge Adventure Charities is pleased to launch details of the Alpe d’Huez Challenge 2015 and, as demand will be high this year, we invite teams to register soon to ensure a place.

We are delighted to be returning to France in 2015 for a challenge starting in the Champagne region and ending with an iconic finish at the top of the Alpe d’Huez.

The Alpe d’Huez Challenge is for teams of four cyclists to ride in relay around 450 miles from Troyes to the finish at the top of Alpe d’Huez in three days. Yes, it’s a little shorter than our usual 500 mile trip, but we can assure you the most wonderful and spectacular route with some stunning and challenging alpine scenery.

The prime objective is for teams to raise sponsorship for their efforts, while enjoying wonderful cycling and great camaraderie en route. Teams are committed to raising a minimum of £1000 for charity, of which 50% will be shared between:

Teams can nominate another Charity, should they wish, to receive 50% of their team sponsorship.

Challenge Adventure Charities have no paid executives, with the event being organised by a group of volunteers. Team entry fees of £1200 fully cover costs in France ensuring that 100% of sponsorship is donated to charity.

Travel to and from France

Because of the administrative complexities of organising cross-Channel travel it will be the responsibility of teams to make their own travel arrangements to get to Troyes. Teams need to cross the Channel to arrive on Wednesday 16 September with time to travel to Troyes as the challenge will start from 7 am on Thursday 17 September.  To help with your planning, Troyes is about 400 kilometres (on the motorway) from Calais.  You will also need to book accommodation in or around Troyes for the night of 16 September.

You will need to book your return crossing on Sunday 20 September.  The journey back is around 560 miles to Calais. 

Booking travel to and from France is your responsibility to organise.

Wednesday 16th September
Teams to make their way   across the Channel and drive south east of Paris to Troyes

Thursday 17th September
Troyes (Geraudot) to Macon. The challenge begins at the lakes west of Troyes and heads south through the beautiful champagne and wine regions passing west of Beaune and Dijon through forests and lovely river valleys to finish about 186 miles later in on the banks of the Saone in Macon.

Friday 18th September 
Macon (Chatillon) to Lans en Vercors.  A start through a fairly level region of about 1000 lakes passing through some beautiful country heading south into the more challenging mountains of the Rhone Alpes and the Vercors mountains, a hidden gem and area of resistance stronghold during the war. This is a big day with spectacular mountain scenery, narrow mountain passes with about 175 miles and 3600m of climbing.

Saturday 19th September
Grenoble (Gieres) to Alpe d’Huez.  Leave The Vercors and pass through Grenoble to Gieres at the foot of the Belledone mountains. Climb from about 200m to the ski resort of Chamrousse at 1750m (a mountain top finish in the 2014 Tour De France) where a buffet lunch will be served.  Descend to Vizille at the foot of the Gorges de Romanche which leads up to le Bourg d’Oisans at the start of the Tour de France time trial to Alpe d’Huez, 15.5 miles, 21 hairpins and 1,100m climb up to 1850m.  A total distance of around 80 miles.

Sunday 20th September 
Return to UK.

Team organisation and ‘qualification’

Teams will be made up of ‘extra’ordinary people, rising to a physical challenge and raising funds for charity through personal and corporate sponsorship. You will experience exhaustion, exhilaration and adventure. Stamina, map-reading and leadership will all be tested and it will be a great team-building event.

You will need to be able to ride your share of the 450 mile route and your team should be able to achieve a minimum average of 15 mph. Road bikes are best for the Challenge but lightweight mountain bikes with slick tyres will be OK. Teams need to bring a suitable vehicle to carry resting riders’ luggage and personal fuel.

The entry fee of £1200 covers the cost of 3 night’s bed, breakfast and evening meals in France and a special celebration evening on the evening to celebrate our achievements. You must book and pay for your own team travel to Troyes for the start on Thursday 17 September.