Customer feedback received for our Road bike holidays based in Bourg d’Oisans – riding the Col du Galibier, Col de la Croix de Fer, Alpe d’Huez etc….
Tags: 21 bends, Alpe d'Huez, Bourg d'Oisans, Classic tour de france climbs, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Galibier, French Alpes, Tour de France
September 29, 2008 at 9:04 pm |
Have spent 2 great weeks at the Tour D’Oisans house this year. First week, we caught le Tour stage to l’Alpe d’Huez – a fabulous day on the mountain, capping a great, relaxing week in Bourg D’Oisans. Spending some time there makes you realise just what an idea location Bourg is for cycling. Within a very short distance are the cols that cycling dreams are made of…. Galibier, Alpe D’Huez, Croix de Fer, Lauteret etc.
In fact it was so good, I returned in September with my bike and spent a great week (great weather too!) climbing the cols with some company and local knowledge from Phil on a couple of days.
I’d recommend EnjoyOisans for a great holiday and I’ll be back in the future. Phil and Helen are very friendly and great hosts. And when they tell you that the local pool only lets you wear Speedos (not baggy shorts), believe them. It’s true. But the mountain scenery surrounding the open air pool makes it a great alternative to cycling on a rest day!
October 1, 2008 at 10:28 am |
We have just had a great week with Phil and Helen. Normally we would visit this area in July time, but having now been at this time of year can strongly recommend it. The weather was perfect for getting some big miles in on the bike.
The house itself is in a fantastic position, right in the middle of town. Everything you could want is provided, from the well equipped workshop to a library of DVD’s (road racing/MTB/films) and a supply of magazines for relaxing with a post ride beer.
We knew we had landed on our feet, when our arrival was greeted with a couple of beers and some bread and cheese. What more can you ask for?
Having had a number of visits to this area over the last few years, I can safely say that this was my most enjoyable. The quality of the cycling around Bourg d’Oisans is second to none, and the warmth of the welcome and the hospitality was on a par with this.
I would have no hesitation recommending Tour d’Oisans, and will without doubt be making a return visit.
Thanks again.
October 20, 2008 at 2:47 pm |
Just returned from a weekend getaway to Bourg d’Oisans. Phil and Helen were extremely helpful and made it an easy, stress-free escape into some of the most amazing cycling anywhere. My only regret is that it was for only a weekend… I plan to return for a full week next time. There is simply too much riding to get done in two days.
I definitely recommend a trip to Bourg d’Oisans, and if you need a bike to rent, place to stay, and/or a guide to take you around, Phil and Helen will take good care of you. Highly recommended.
Nick
October 29, 2008 at 4:29 pm |
Just got back from a surprise 40th birthday trip to France courtesy of my husband. The trip included a fantastic day with Phil and Helen and a “once in a lifetime” journey with Phil up Alp d’Huez.
What can I say but: Absolute Magic !!!!
Phil and Helen were wonderful…so warm and welcoming, and so attentive to all our needs. The ride itself was, quite simply, the greatest day of my cycling life. Next time, we will come for a whole week.
All serious cyclists need to make this trip !!!
Katie Curran
Austin, TX – USA
10/28/08
May 22, 2009 at 10:03 am |
High quality riding and high quality porridge (thanks Helen!).
Phil put together three days of rides that were challenging as well as tailored to the abilities of the riders. We hit a couple of classics (Alpe d’Huez, Col de la Croix de Fer), but also some lesser-known cols that had spectacular views, quiet roads, and great grinding grades. I don’t know how Phil manages to juggle all the different desires and constraints of the riders against the potential of the landscape, but he does it–with aplomb!
Support to and from the airport, as well as on site, was excellent. Be sure to take advantage of the Crepizza at the bottom of their driveway.
DM
May 23, 2009 at 1:26 pm |
Cycling paradise!
I ventured to bourg d’Oisan by myself for a three day adventure with Phil and Helen at the end of May, 2009. I had an incredible three days of riding! The weather was fantastic and we were able to get a solid ride (or two) in each day. I was happy to wake up in the morning to a hearty cyclist’s breakfast of oatmeal and then off to Alpe d’Huez I went! Phil led the rides that I was on, and he did a fabulous job. He successfully juggled different riding abilities and kept everyone smiling. I plan to go back and stay with them again in the future.
For anyone who enjoys cycling a trip to Enjoy Oisan is a real treat! Phil and Helen were happy to help me to and from the Grenoble train station, making my trip a breeze from start to finish. Though the rides are all relatively challenging, there’s an excellent restaurant next door specializing in “carbo loading” meals.
I wish Helen and Phil the best of luck and I hope to return in the future!
-RW
June 14, 2009 at 7:53 pm |
Just returned from La Marmotte Prep Week 2009. I could only ride the first three days due to annual leave restrictions but wish that I could have stayed for the remainder of the week.
As somebody who has only been cycling for a few months, I nonetheless found that under the tutorship of Phil that all of the Cols were within my grasp.
On the first day our group and Phil ascended two less well known but nonetheless challenging Cols and in the afternoon, Alpe d’Huez. On the second day, Glandon and its descent followed by Telegraph with Phil following in the van. Due to a mechanical failure, I spent part of the mornign riding shotgun with Phil in the van but with his help managed to get the descent of Glandon and ascent of Telegraph. On the third (and my final) day, we – including Phil – tackled Galibier, the descent to Bourg and straight up Alpe d’Huez. However, as Phil and the rest of the group will attest to and thanks to the cunning of Phil, I somehow managed to be the first person in history unintentionally ascent Alpe d’Huez.
As regards the accommodation and package, both Phil and Helen are to be commended. The location is ideal, right in the centre of Bourg and the building is in excellent condition and very well maintained. A good breakfast is served every morning by Helen (porridge AND scrambled eggs if you want them) and a pasta dish prepared in the afternoon.
I found both Phil and Helen to be very helpful and good humoured and thoroughly enjoyed the climbs. I also found the van / support service. Bourg itself is ground zero for serious cycling enthusiasts and near to all of the famous cols – Galibier, Alpe d’Huez, Les Deux Alpes, Glandon, Izoard etc.
Irrespective of whether I undertake La Marmotte next year, I think I will make another trip to Bourg. I would also question whether a cyclist can truly call themselves ’serious’ or ‘experienced’ without having sampled a package similar to that offered by Phil.
June 17, 2009 at 6:36 pm |
Thank you Phil and Helen for providing a great place to stay, tasty meals, and fantastic support for an amazing week of cycling. We stayed in the apartment next to the bed and breakfast house during the La Marmotte prep week, making new friends, and enjoying every minute of our stay. Phil did an incredible job supporting everyone’s needs during our cycling journeys and he even got a few kilometers in himself. Helen’s food was fantastic and was very very welcome after a long day of cycling through the beautiful and challenging routes. We cycled up many famous climbs and cols, and not so famous climbs too. Each were amazing and beautiful! We only wish we could have stayed longer…much longer! It was an absolutely fantastic vacation of a lifetime, and we would highly highly recommend a stay with Phil and Helen. Best of luck, and we hope to come back soon!
Rich S. and Matthew K.,
Dallas, Texas, USA
June 22, 2009 at 4:33 pm |
I can honestly say that was a trip of a lifetime…one that I will be doing again and the sooner the better. In my 3 days with Helen and Phil I covered all of my must do Col’s.
First up was Alpe d’Huez and with Phil’s patient encouragement “Pantani has just finished” followed a couple of minutes later “Lance has just crossed the line!” all when I was about halfway up finished very hot and satisfied in 1h21… In the afternoon Phil took me up alocal and very pretty climb the Col D’ornon. This rounded day one of nicely as did Helen’s post ride pasta! The next day was the Croix de Fer, WOW 30k’s all uphill what is there anywhere that can prepare you for that. It was stunning. It is rude not to quickly bag the Glandon (50yds away) on the way up. The descent goes on forever and it is not until you descend that you realise how far you have climbed.
Day 3 saw us take in the Lauteret on the way up to the mighty 2645m Galibier. Still snow in June! Phil took the van part way so that we could start from 8km down the Lauteret. He took photos and then at the base of the Galibier hopped on his bike and supported all of us (as we were now a group of four riders) up and back down the slopes of the mighty Galibier. Having a rider who knows the slopes as well as Phil means you can really enjoy the riding.
To round off then, great cycling country, classic climbs but this is cemented in to a great holiday by Helen and Phil’s desire to make your holiday special…little details like post ride pasta, a card when I had finished with my stats on, photos emailed to me, supported and guided rides together with very nice accomodation and hospitality makes for a great trip…I will be back at Enjoy Oisans!!
June 29, 2009 at 4:32 pm |
Helen and Phil have everything a cyclist will need for a holiday in the Alpes. I had 6 days riding and copped all the legendary cols as well as Alpe d`Huez twice, the descent is brilliant even for a cautious person like me. Rode with Phil to La Berarde on my last day which was probably my favourite, tasty veg soup at the cafe.
Helen`s breakfasts and afternoon pasta are fantastic. The beds are comfy. Good company and decent eateries in town. The discount at La Crepizza helps keep costs down too.
Phil`s photos are geat to look at when you get home. I could be mistaken for a cyclist in some of them!
If you want good food, good company and great cycling, Enjoy Oisans is the place to be.
July 8, 2009 at 8:58 pm |
Just back from a fantastic week with Enjoy Oisans in Bourg. Fantastic house in a brilliant location, especially for the Marmotte which starts less than 100 metres from the front door! Phil and Helen are friendly and welcoming, the breakfast is great and the Phil’s knowledge of the local area and his ride leading are spot on. There can be no better area for cycling; stunning scenery and some of the most famous cols in the world. I’d definitely reccommend Enjoy Oisans to anyone looking for a cycling holiday in this area.