Alsace

France, Switzerland Road Bike Tour

Alsace is in the Germanic region in the northeast of France. It is a region lying on the west bank of the river Rhine, between the Rhine and the Vosges mountains. To the north and east it shares a border with Germany; to the south with German-speaking Switzerland. There will be times that you will wonder where you are. Are you indeed in France or are you in Germany? In architectural terms, Alsace is definitely Germanic. With its villages of brightly painted and steep-roofed houses, Alsace stands apart from any other region of France. Your starting point is Strasbourg. With its monumental cathedral featuring carvings as delicate as any piece of lacework, it is one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Thanks to its rich history, the entire town center has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will want to spend some extra time here to discover its history, its cuisine, and its unique atmosphere.

The town of Colmar, considered the wine capital of Alsace, is perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe! All of your senses will be saturated during this tour. Sight, sound, smell... neat timber framed houses, narrow canals, medieval towns, and castles, the Vosges, the wine route, and the French vineyards, the wine and cuisine. You will be more than satiated with this land of art and culture.

Skill Level

There are two options with this tour: Level 2 or Level 3. You can also combine the two and have a very individualized tour. During the Level 2 tour, you will cycle 50-56 miles per day (80-90 km) and conquer 656-1968’ (200-600 m) difference in altitude. A basic level of fitness is required. This is a self guided tour and therefore a self paced tour. During the Level 3 (advanced itinerary), you will cycle approximately 69-81 miles (110-130 km) with 6561’ (2000 m) difference in altitude. This option requires a high level of fitness and strong confidence in your cycling ability.

Where You’ll Stay

Category 1: 3 & 4-star hotels and B&Bs.
Category 2: 2 & 3-star hotels and B&Bs.

What’s Included

• 7 or 5 nights in 3 star hotels or B&Bs
• Breakfast buffets
• Luggage transportation
• Detailed roadbook, includes descriptions of cultural highlights
• Service hot line 7 days a week
• GPS (no map function)
• GPS (with map function) with rental fee
• Racing bike

Tour Dates

• Daily from April 1 to October 10, 2012.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Basic level tour:

1. Arrival in Strasbourg
2. Strasbourg - Obernai: 50 miles (80 km) 1148' difference in altitude
3. Obernai - Northern Alsace: 50 miles (80 km), 1706' difference in altitude
4. Obernai - Riquewihr: 50 miles (80 km), 2100' difference in altitude
5. Riquewihr, round trip through mid Alsace: 57 miles (90 km), 919' difference in altitude
6. Riquewihr - Mulhouse: 57 miles (90 km), 1804' difference in altitude
7. Mulhouse - Basel: 32 miles (50 km), 492' difference in altitude
8. Departure from Basel

(All distances are approximate)

DAY 1: Arrival in Strasbourg
Strasbourg, situated on the Ill river in the Rhine valley, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. An interesting way to explore the city is to take a boat trip on the Ill canal. The city is chiefly known for its sandstone Gothic Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. You will love its medieval cityscape of black and white timber-framed buildings, particularly in the Petite-France district alongside the Ill. You will love to explore the streets and squares surrounding the cathedral and the renowned Maison Kammerzell. This is one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in Strasbourg.

DAY 2: Strasbourg - Obernai: 50 miles (80 km)
Having left Strasbourg, you cycle on a fabulous route through the Alsatian hill land.  The profile of the terrain is slightly undulating and therefor ideal to accommodate to your cycle and saddle. The picturesque villages with their typical half timbered housed create a wonderful racing atmosphere. Destination is Obernai.  Tucked into the foot of the Vosges mountains and Mont Sainte Odile, Obernai is truly enchanting. This historic town was one of the Imperial towns which made up the Decapole and offers  a harmonious balance between the urban town center and the rural surroundings  which positively invites you to relax and enjoy your tranquil surroundings.   This Alsatian town’s charm is built on its ramparts, its traditional, half-timbered houses, many of which are painted in the resplendent colors typical of Alsace, its Belfry and its town center, all steeped in history. You will be enchanted by its many aspects: it is a town of culture, sport, business, cuisine, history and flowers. Obernai is actually one of the “Most Beautiful Detours of France”.

DAY 3: Oberanai -Northern alsace: 50 miles (80 km)
Today you pass the vineyards of the Alsatian Wine Trail to the north, hitting more demanding when youreach the Vosges. The terrific veiw and the wonderful final passage to your destination compensates you for the effort of the climb to the village of Wangenbourg.

DAY 4: Obernai - Riquewihr: 50 miles (80 km)
Starting your day in the vineyards, you will climb to Col du Bonhomme and the beginning of the legendary military Route des Cretes. As you take a well deserved break, enjoy the amazing view over the valleys and mountains. You finish with an afternoon descent into Riquewihr, another of the beautiful wine producing villages of the Alsatian wine route.

DAY 5: Riquewihr, roundtrip through Mid Alsace: 57 miles (90 km)
Today you will cycle towards the Rhine and the beautiful town of Colmar, home town of the sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi, who designed the Statue of Liberty. The city is renowned for its well preserved old town, its numerous architectural landmarks and its museums.

DAY 6: Riquewihr - Mulhouse: 57 miles (90 km)
The route will take you along the French wine route to Guebwiller with its outstanding cathedral, Église St. Leger. This 12th century church was built with magnificent pink sandstone and marks the transition from roman to gothic. There are two ancient ladders inside the chapel. Their presence there is explained by the following course of events that took place in 1445: Hords of barbarians were ravaging the countryside and although Guebwiller was protected by its fortified center, the enemies tricked the inhabitants. During a break in surveillance, the enemies placed their ladders on the wall. However, a woman named Brigitte Shick was secretly watching and sounded the alarm. The assailants panicked and abandoned their ladders. The ladders were saved and remain in the church to give homage to Our Lady who protected the city. Then, you will cycle on to Thann, and the finish of the wine route.

DAY 7: Mulhouse - Basel: 32 miles (50 km)
Not too long of a day awaiting as you cycle along the Rhine to get to Basel in Switzerland. The city borders both Germany and France and is actually Switzerland's most populous city.

Advanced level tour:

1. Arrival in Strasbourg
2. Strasbourg - Obernai: 75 miles (120 km), 1968' difference in altitude
3. Obernai - Northern Alsace, 79 miles (125 km), 3937' difference in altitude
4. Obernai - Riquewihr: 79 miles (125 km), 6889 difference in altitude
   In contrast to the basic level tour, there is a definite increase in difficulty this day.
5. Riquewihr, round trip through Mid - Alsace: 69 miles (110km), 820' difference in altitude
6. Riquewihr - Mulhouse: 79 miles (125 km), 5741' difference in altitude
   The rough mountainous landscape of the southern foothills of the Vosges is impressive. You will cycle on the Route de Crêtes (Road of Crests) a road with the most spectacular views in all of Europe. It is high enough to rise above the forest and runs along several ridges with views to the valley and lakes below.
7. Mulhouse - Basel: 47  miles (75 km), 1640' difference in altitude
   After a short stage through the hilly Sundgau region, bounded in the south by the Swiss border and the foothills of the Jura, there will be plenty of time to explore the Swiss town of Basel. It might be tempting to stay longer and explore the town.
8. Departure.

(All distances are approximate)

Option 2: 6 days/5 nights (The same tour as Advance level but without the Day 5, round trip, which some opt to use as a rest day)

DAY 1: Strasbourg, arrival
DAY 2: Strasbourg - Obernai
DAY 3: Obernai - Riquewihr
DAY 4: Riquewihr - Mulhouse
DAY 5: Mulhouse - Basel
DAY 6: Departure

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