A Wander Through the Alps

Distance: 225 miles

Riding time: 4hrs 40 mins approx

 The start of the adventure 

This is a deliberately easy first day.  After crossing the channel we leave Calais behind and head south through gentle landscapes of Northern France, gradually leaving the coast behind as the scenery opens up into the Champagne region.

Rather than rushing to our destination, we'll use quieter roads where possible, passing through small French towns and villages along the way. It's a chance to settle into riding on the right, get comfortable riding as a group and start getting into the rhythm of the tour.

Our destination is Châlons-en-Champagne, a beautiful town known for its canals, waterways and relaxed atmosphere — the perfect place to spend our first evening together.

The first day isn’t about proving anything its about getting comfortable on your holiday.

Distance: 184 miles

Riding time: 4hrs 15 mins approx

From Champagne to Burgundy

Today the landscape begins to change as we head further south towards Burgundy.

The Champagne vineyards gradually give way to rolling farmland, woodland and the quieter roads of rural France. This is classic French touring territory — villages with stone houses, church spires appearing above the trees and roads that invite you to settle into a comfortable rhythm rather than chase the clock.

Our destination is Chalon-sur-Saône, sitting on the River Saône in the heart of Burgundy. There’s time to leave the bikes behind, wander into the old town and enjoy an evening by the river.

It’s another deliberately manageable day, giving us plenty of opportunity to stop, take photographs and enjoy the journey rather than simply ticking off the miles.

Distance: 208 miles

Riding time: 5hrs 30 mins approx

The mountains begin

This is where the character of the tour starts to change.

Leaving Burgundy behind, we’ll gradually climb south and east towards the French Alps. The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as the landscape changes from vineyards and rolling countryside to forests, valleys and mountains.

Rather than heading straight for Briançon on the quickest possible route, we’ll take roads that allow us to enjoy that transition — watching the Alps grow on the horizon before we finally arrive among them.

Briançon sits high in the mountains and is one of the highest towns in France, with its historic fortified old town forming part of the Vauban fortifications recognised by UNESCO.

Tonight, we settle in for two nights, meaning there’s no need to pack everything back onto the bikes tomorrow.

“This is it. You’ve made it to the Alps.”

 A day to explore the Alps

No packing. No checking out. No need to be back at the hotel by a particular time.

Today is about enjoying the mountains.

We’ll head out from Briançon for a day of Alpine riding, taking in some of the spectacular roads and scenery around the area. Depending on conditions and the final route, this is where we’ll experience the kind of mountain roads that make riding in the Alps so special — sweeping bends, high valleys, dramatic peaks and views that demand a photograph or two.

We’ll build plenty of opportunities to stop and take it all in rather than treating the passes as something to conquer.

And if you’ve never ridden mountain roads before, don’t worry. We’re not here to race from one hairpin to the next. The aim is to enjoy the road, the scenery and the experience.

Distance: 130 miles

Riding time: 4hrs approx

Across the French Alps

Today is one of the big riding days of the tour — and one you’ll remember.

Leaving Briançon behind, we’ll continue through the French Alps, travelling between mountain valleys and high passes as we make our way towards Chamonix.

The landscape changes constantly: forests give way to open mountain slopes, rocky peaks appear around the next bend and the roads become increasingly spectacular.

There will be plenty of reasons to stop along the way, whether that’s for a photograph, a coffee or simply to stand for a moment and take in where we are.

By the time we reach Chamonix, Mont Blanc provides an impressive backdrop to our evening.

Distance: 127 miles

Riding time: 4hrs approx

 From France into Switzerland

Today we cross the border into Switzerland and head towards Andermatt, one of the great mountain-road hubs of the Swiss Alps.

The riding becomes increasingly spectacular as we travel deeper into the mountains, with high valleys, alpine meadows, dramatic peaks and those beautifully maintained Swiss roads.

Andermatt is surrounded by some of Switzerland’s most famous Alpine passes, making it a perfect base for our next two nights. The area is particularly well known for roads including the Oberalp, Furka, Susten and Grimsel passes. 

And, once again, we don’t need to pack the bikes tomorrow.

A day in the heart of the Swiss Alps

This is the day for the riders who have been dreaming about Switzerland.

With Andermatt as our base, we’ll head out into the surrounding mountains and enjoy some of the most spectacular riding of the entire tour.

The area is surrounded by eight Alpine passes, with landscapes ranging from green meadows and forests to huge rock faces, glaciers and high mountain valleys. 

We’ll take our time, stopping regularly for photographs, refreshments and those inevitable moments when everyone simply wants to pull over and say, “Look at that.”

And because we’re staying in Andermatt for a second night, there’s no pressure to make the most of every minute. At the end of the day, the bikes go back to the accommodation and the evening is yours to enjoy.

 Distance: 159 miles

Riding time: 4hrs 20 mins approx

From the Alps to Alsace

Today brings another dramatic change in scenery.

We’ll leave the high mountains behind and gradually descend towards the French border, watching the landscape soften as Alpine valleys give way to forests, vineyards and the villages of Alsace.

After several days surrounded by mountains, arriving in Colmar feels like entering another world. The town is famous for its beautifully preserved historic centre, canals, colourful traditional buildings and its position at the heart of the Alsace wine region. 

Once the bikes are parked, you’ll have time to explore on foot, find somewhere for dinner and soak up the atmosphere of one of France’s prettiest towns.

Distance: 88 miles 

Riding time: 2hrs approx

Through the vineyards and into Lorraine

Leaving Alsace behind, we’ll head west through the rolling countryside of eastern France.

The mountains are behind us now, but the riding remains scenic and varied, with quiet roads, woodland, farmland and the villages of Lorraine providing plenty to look at along the way.

Our destination is Nancy, the historic capital of Lorraine and home to the spectacular Place Stanislas, part of a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble. 

After parking the bikes, there’s time to explore the old town, admire the architecture and find a café or restaurant for the evening.

And if you’re interested in architecture, keep an eye out for Nancy’s famous Art Nouveau heritage too — the city became one of the movement’s major centres around the turn of the twentieth century.  

Distance: 135 miles

Riding time: 2hrs 40 mins approx

Back towards Champagne

Our final full riding day takes us north-west through the gentle landscapes of Lorraine and back into the Champagne region.

After the drama of the Alps and the character of Alsace and Lorraine, this is deliberately a more relaxed way to finish the riding part of our adventure.

The roads become increasingly familiar in character — open countryside, villages, fields and vineyards — as we make our way towards Reims.

And there’s a rather fitting destination waiting for us.

Reims is the heart of Champagne, famous not only for its magnificent cathedral but also for its historic Champagne houses and extensive underground chalk cellars. 

Tonight is about celebrating the journey we’ve just completed.

Distance: 193 hrs

Riding time: 4hrs approx

The final miles

Sadly, all good adventures have to end.

Our final ride takes us north from Reims towards Calais, bringing us full circle after almost two weeks on the road.

It’s a relatively straightforward final day, giving us time to enjoy some last kilometres of French countryside before arriving back at the Channel crossing.

But by now, something has changed.

What seemed daunting before we left — riding on the right, navigating another country, tackling mountain roads, crossing borders and travelling somewhere completely unfamiliar — is now something you’ve actually done.

You’ve ridden across Europe.

And hopefully, you’re already wondering where you could go next.