‘TDF’ Ride-outs in the Southern Alps with Spoon Customs

Early season - into June - you can still find snow on the highest climbs. This is the view from the top of Galibier.

For best part of three summer seasons I lived at the top of Cat 2 climb in the village of Montgenevre, where the Spoon Customs adventure really got started.  Next year, the TDF is coming right through the village, and I want to be there to see it. And, I’d like to extend an invite to you to come too.

As some of you may also know, Nick Saunders (Pro-Ironman and experienced tri-coach) and I used to run Pro-Camps in this region, preparing athletes for Kona, National Team events and even the Commonwealth Games. The camps were laid back, and took in some of the best and most famous climbs in the area.

The pro-peloton tackling Col Du Sarenne. We rode out to Alpe D’Huez that day, but climbed it behind the riders taking part in the Criterium de Dauphine.

The camps take so much organisation to do it properly, but with the regular dates for this year ALMOST coinciding with the TDF coming through the vallee, I don’t want to miss being out there so I’m heading out to Briancon in the Serre Chevalier Vallee, to shoot some bikes, catch up with friends and get some long-overdue mountain riding in. I’d like to extend an invite to you too.

Froome didn’t have time to stop sadly

Anyone with or without a Spoon Customs bike is welcome to come and join me and some friends, as we ride for as many days we can between Thursday 29th June to the 4th July 2024. 

We will lead-out casual rides from Briancon on every day for that period, and I’d love it if some of you could join us for some chilled out days on some of my favourite routes.

Group Photos are mandatory round here. Pic on Col D’Izoard looking back towards Briancon.

This isn’t a formal Camp. Getting there and accommodation will be down to you, but with flights to Turin at as little as £60 and tons of lovely accommodation options in Briancon it’s a doddle to sort yourself. We do know the area very well though so I’m only too happy to point you in the right direction and help out in an informal way.

And, to thank you for coming and give us all an opportunity to meet up without the bicycles, I’ll organise an evening booking or two at some of the best local hangouts, so we can have a few beers and share stories after some epic riding in the mountains. 

Tour De France Stage 3; July 2nd 2024

TDF goes up and over Col Du Montegenevre on the 2nd July. I’ll be riding up ahead of the caravan early in the morning - so assume this is minimal riding with one short and sharp 12k climb - as we’ll treat it like a rest day then hole up in my local pub to wait for the Peloton to come by.

You can then head off and do your own thing, or join me in my local to catch up with friends and have a few beers and pizza in the eve.

The rides on the other days will be almost as informal and it’s completely free to join us. Bear in mind, whilst we’ll start the rides together, and try and stick together for the crack, they’re self supported efforts and you’ll need to take full responsibility for yourself and your safety on the day.

Wherever you ride you’ll find some of the best riding you’ve ever seen in this region.

I’ll share routes and pub stops ahead of time if you want to make your own way or add some riding with us to your own itinerary.

Routes will include some but not all (weather and time dependent) of the following climbs; Alpe D’Huez, Col Du Galibier, Col Du Lauteret, Col Du Granon, Col D’Echelle, Col Du Sarenne, Colle Sestriere, Colle Del Finestre, Col De Risoul, Col Du Vars, and Col De Bonnette and of course, Col D’Izoard.

To book accommodation in the area, including places in Briancon, Les Albert or Montgenevre, and airport transfers to and from Turin Airport, contact www.go-montgenevre.com and www.snow.cab or check booking.com and the usual channels. 

The top of Col Dell’Agnello, or Agnel if you come up from this, the French side.

Flights into Turin are available with British Airways, Ryanair, Easyjet etc. 

For more information about the rides, start points, what to expect or what to bring, email me directly or sign up to our newsletter by visiting the website and adding your details to our mailing list when prompted. 

I hope to see you in the mountains for some epic riding, and good times. 

Andy