What the heck is Alt D'Huez anyway?

Well... it's an alternative to the usual pace of the worlds most courageous and competitive cyclists the Tour de France offers, but being able to watch it in real life on some of the most iconic stages! This year we're extra lucky, as there's 2 stages based around Alp d'Huez!

Come join us in the French Alps for a long weekend of camping, riding, good food, and slowing things down enough to appreciate the mountains, the people around you and some others who might fly right past you. This is the first edition of an event we've talked about for years, and we're really excited to finally bring it to life.

We'll ride iconic roads, explore quieter gravel routes, watch the Tour, share meals, hang out late into the evening (if you want!), and enjoy one of the best cycling regions in the world at our own pace.

Event Details

Dates
Thursday July 23 – Sunday July 26

Price
350€ — includes 3 nights / 4 days camping

Capacity
50 tickets available

Included

• Camping access for the full event
• Storage for bikes and gear
• Free breakfast buffet
• Tea and filter coffee
• Daily pasta buffet
• BBQ and evening events (Free evening meal)
• Barn and outdoor bar access (Drinks not included)
• Tour de France viewing
• Route recommendations and ride support

Rides

We're still confirming the routes, but will be finalized in the next week, or so.

Group rides are informal and open-paced. Ride as hard or as slow as you'd like.

Additional road, gravel, and mountain bike routes will be available throughout the weekend.

Guests & Extras

• Path Less Pedaled will be joining us
• Live-stream podcast episode during the event
• SimWorks giveaway prizes

Path Less Pedaled are Russ and Laura — good friends of ours and one of our favourite cycling media brands out there. Their whole thing is that there's more to bikes than racing, which is pretty much why we started La Chouette in the first place. In 2009 they sold everything and traveled by bike across the US and New Zealand, and have been making cycling content ever since. They call it "Party Pace" — riding for fun, travel, and good company rather than podiums. You can find them on YouTube, their podcast, and at pathlesspedaled.com. We're stoked to have them join us in the Alps.

Event merchandise available:

• T-shirts (Free with ticket, just select your size)
• Tote bags
• Koozies
• Some other surprises!

The Alps Are the Thing

We're not just here because the Tour is. We're here because this corner of the French Alps is genuinely one of the finest places in Europe to ride a bike — and most people only see it at 40km/h surrounded by camper vans.

Vénosc sits at the foot of Les Deux Alpes in the Vénéon Valley, right on the edge of Écrins National Park. Around it: Alpe d'Huez, the Col du Lautaret, (and from there, Galibier if you still have the legs for it!), Col de la Croix de Fer, Col d'Ornon, and dozens of quieter passes and gravel tracks that don't make it onto the highlight reels. Road riders, gravel riders, mountain bikers — there's more here than any one weekend can hold.

The glacier-fed Vénéon River runs through the valley and the surrounding area opens up into something well beyond cycling. Nearby Lac du Chambon is perfect for a post-ride swim or a slow morning by the water. The river offers rafting, kayaking, and canyoning for those who need more than pedalling. There's hiking and trail running deep into the Écrins, and in summer the Les Deux Alpes lift system runs for downhill and enduro riding if that's your thing.

Between the legendary climbs, the national park trails, the lakes, the rivers, and an authentic Alpine village that hasn't been ironed flat for tourism — Vénosc is the kind of place you end up wanting to extend your stay. We've planned four days. You might want more.

Getting There

Train + Bus

The easiest low-stress option is taking a train to Grenoble, the main regional TGV hub.

From Grenoble station, regional buses run to Bourg-d'Oisans and Les Deux Alpes via the T73 line. Many buses accept bikes using rear bike racks.

From Bourg-d'Oisans you can:

• Ride to Vénosc (~8 km)
• Take the local shuttle bus

Ideal for riders travelling from Paris, Lyon, Geneva, or elsewhere in Europe without a car.

Car / Van

Drive via Grenoble → Bourg-d'Oisans → RD1091.

Approximate driving times:

• Grenoble → Vénosc: 1h30
• Lyon → Vénosc: 2h
• Geneva → Vénosc: 3h

Best option for groups, support vehicles, camping gear, or multiple bikes.

Riding In

For those turning the trip into a larger riding adventure, Vénosc is also accessible by bike.

Popular approaches include:

• Grenoble → Bourg-d'Oisans
• Bourg-d'Oisans → Vénosc

Nearby climbs and routes include:

• Alpe d'Huez
• Col du Lautaret
• Les Deux Alpes climb

The Vénosc télécabine also connects the village directly to Les Deux Alpes resort.

Refund Information

Cancellations made before July 1st are eligible for a full refund. After that date, tickets are non-refundable. Get in touch and we'll sort it out.

FAQ

Getting There & Logistics

+ Do I need a car?

Not at all. Take a train to Grenoble, then the T73 bus to Bourg-d'Oisans — many buses have rear bike racks. From there it's an easy 8km ride or a local shuttle to Vénosc.

+ Can I ride to the venue?

Yes! Common approaches are via Grenoble through Bourg-d'Oisans. Alpe d'Huez, Col du Lautaret and the Les Deux Alpes climb are all nearby entry points if you want to make the journey part of the adventure.

The Riding

+ What level of rider is this for?

Everyone is welcome, but keep in mind — we're in the Alps. The region has some serious climbing and we'll be suggesting routes to match. You don't need to be a racer, but being reasonably comfortable on a bike will help you get the most out of it.

+ What kind of bike do I need?

A road or touring bike works perfectly. The shop crew will be rolling up on steel — Rivendell, Crust, Colnago, Soma, Bassi, and Wilde. Come on whatever you love riding.

+ Are the rides guided?

Group rides are informal and open-paced — no one gets dropped. Additional road, gravel, and mountain bike routes will be available for self-guided riding throughout the weekend.

Camping & Accommodation

+ Do I need to bring my own tent?

Yes — bring your tent and everything you need to sleep comfortably. Showers and toilets are available on site.

+ Is there secure bike storage?

Yes, bike storage is included for the full event.

Food & Drink

+ What's included food-wise?

Daily breakfast buffet, pasta buffet, and a BBQ evening meal are all included. Bar access is included but drinks are purchased separately.

+ I have dietary restrictions beyond vegetarian — can you help?

Get in touch with us directly and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

The Event

+ Do I have to watch the Tour de France?

Not at all! Tour viewing is available but totally optional — everything else runs alongside it.

+ Will there be a daily schedule?

Yes, a full schedule will be shared with all ticket holders ahead of the event.

+ Is it family/kid friendly?

Kids are more than welcome! That said, the suggested rides are in the Alps and aren't the easiest. There's plenty to do in the surrounding area for families — the Vénéon valley, Lac du Chambon, hiking, rafting — but activities on site are riding-focused.

You coming with us?

Grab your ticket here ↑