Thursday 05 to Sunday 08 October

4 days of riding and racing on the Côte d’Azur aimed at road racers participating in Category 3/4 races and above.

ORRL stands for Oxfordshire Road Race League, which comprises 10 races between May and September, each race organised by an Oxfordshire-based cycling club.

The trip is not exclusive to ORRL-club members.

4 days of social riding with 1 or 2 competitive stages each day

Each day we will ride the quietest roads and best climbs to showcase what the Riviera has to offer, with informal racing on specific segments of the ride. The format of the rides will be similar to car rallies:

 

-“liaison” stages are untimed and everyone can take at their own pace in groups, arriving at the designated coffee or lunch stop at the given time.
– “race” stages are timed (Strava), and will typically start at the bottom of a climb and finish at the top. Massed start where road conditions allow, otherwise handicap format.
– separate leaderboards for men, women and clubs

 

Col d'EzeCol d’Eze

 

road racing hilly

Racing up the Col St Martin

 

NB: There is no supporting vehicle on the rides – everyone must be self-sufficient in terms of clothing, nutrition, puncture repairs and mechanicals.

 

The stages are not official races. There is no marshalling on the route, no race convoy or anything of that kind. We’re out to enjoy the riding, with some set parts of the route designated as competitive where people can stretch their legs if they wish, but it’s entirely optional. People ride at their own risk.

Test yourself on the same roads as the professionals!

Combining breathtakingly beautiful coastal roads with testing Alpine climbs, this part of the South of France is home and training ground for many of the world’s greatest cyclists including Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas, Philippe Gilbert, Richie Porte and many more.

Each day will include legendary climbs, including:

– Col de la Madone (13km, 900m) – best known as the climb on which Lance would test his form, and now used by the current crop of pro cyclists living in the area
– Col d’Eze (10km, 500m) – featured every year in Paris-Nice, steep / flat / steep and harder than it looks on paper
– Col de Braus (10km, 650m) – included in the Tour de France 21 times
– Col du Turini (25km, 1250m) – best known for its annual inclusion in the Monte Carlo rally, but it has also featured in the Tour on 3 occasions
col de turini stacked hairpinsStacked hairpins on the Col du Turini

The 4* Hotel Carlton, Beaulieu-sur-mer

Accommodation is provided on a bed & breakfast basis at the 4* Hotel Carlton in Beaulieu-sur-mer.

After racing on the Sunday, people will be able to shower and change before leaving for the airport.

 

hotel carlton

 

We eat lunch out on the road, and people are free to eat where they choose in the evening at one of the excellent local restaurants although we will make recommendations each evening.

Plenty to do off the bike, or for non-cycling partners to enjoy

– Beach
– Sightseeing
– Spa
– Sailing, windsurfing
– Trail running
– Diving
– Walking, hiking
– Monaco and Nice are just 10 minutes away by train

Villefranche sur merVillefranche-sur-mer

 

The essentials

Costs per person:

£290 – sharing

£340 – single occupancy

Individuals have the option of a single room, or we can pair you up with another solo of the same gender at no extra cost.

 

ORRL prizes – win money off the 2017 ORRL Abroad trip!

 

Azur Cycle Tours is offering prizes for each round of the ORRL:

 

1st place  £30 off

2nd place  £20 off

3rd place  £10 off

…for each of the men’s, and the women’s, races in 2017.

 

Overall League winners (male and female) – a FREE place on the ORRL Abroad trip

 

These prizes are non-transferable, and valid ONLY on the 2017 ORRL Abroad trip.

 

What’s included:

– Airport transfers
– 3 nights’ accommodation
– 4 days’ riding and racing
– Breakfast
– Ride briefing and rides each day
– Informal race “stages” each day
– GPX files for each ride
What’s not included:
– Flights
– Lunch, dinner, drinks
– Bike hire if required (£95)
– Travel insurance

 

Bike hire

Bring your own bike, or hire a Trek Domane 4.3 with Shimano 105 groupset at a special rate of £95 (normally £125)

 

Places strictly limited, so reserve your place now!

 

Contact Justin at AzurCycleTours@gmail.com or +44 7767 390 035.

Book your place now, claiming any ORRL prize-discounts due. Any prizes won in the yet-to-be-held final round will be refunded.

Flights

Arrive Nice – Thursday 05 October

Depart Nice – Sunday 08 October

We will provide complimentary transfers for the following flights:

 

Thursday: BA 342 departs LHR 07:50 arrives Nice T1 10:55

 

People arriving on other flights can still join the transfer, so long as they get to T1 arrivals hall by 11:00.

 

Sunday: leaving Beaulieu for flight departures of 20:30 or later

 

(An Uber transfer costs around €35)

 

Riding and racing

 

The first stage starts at 14:30 on Thursday

The last stage finishes at 15:30 on Sunday