Tour Type
Tour de France REK
Riding Level
Avid
Location
France
Duration
7 nights | 8 days | 6 stages
Length
1,053 km
Climb
17,350 m
The Tour de France is not just a cycling race; it is THE premier sporting event on the global calendar. The Ride Every Kilometre tour is the ultimate way to experience it, designed for serious riders committed to conquering Week 2 through the lesser known roads of central and northern France on the official route of the 2026 Tour de France the day before the professional peloton.
Your monumental journey begins in Aurillac and follows a route through the dynamic flat and hilly stages of the mysterious volcanic region of the Massif Central and central France. The journey continues north through the southern end of Burgundy before heading into a challenging block in the northern Vosges, known for its steep, forest-lined ascents and raw, unpredictable terrain, culminating in the giant Le Markstein. A mid-race transfer takes you to the pearl of the Jura, Champagnole for a spectacular final stage of Week 2 in finishing on steep climbs to the tough Plateau de Solaison.
Your Professional Experience: This commitment is matched by unparalleled rewards. You will ride every single kilometre of the official course the day before the professional peloton – this provides access to routes that may otherwise be closed, you still experience the exuberant support of TDF fans on the big climbs, and experience the inner workings of the Tour de France, all while being supported by the expert GTP Team of former pro riders and dedicated crew.
You don’t need to be an elite athlete to take on this challenge – BUT you do need to be a strong cyclist. Our REK tours are about the journey, not the race. Each day, we’ll ride the full stage of the Tour de France route, just 24 hours before the pros, leaving time for lunch breaks, photo stops, and to soak up the atmosphere.
Choose one week, two weeks, or all 21 stages – as close to the pro experience as it gets.
We are a global cycling business, welcoming guests from all over the world, offering a diverse community and the chance to forge new friendships. We are also proud supporters of women’s cycling and consistently welcome a growing proportion of female guests.
This is the definitive Tour de France experience – demanding, exhilarating, and unforgettable. Are you ready to ride every kilometre?
Shorter Option
Bienvenue en France! The GTP team will meet you at Clermont-Ferrand TGV Station and transfer you directly to the team hotel, strategically located near Aurillac. The afternoon will include a bike assembly session or rental fit, followed by a short ride to stretch the legs and test the bikes. The day culminates with pre-dinner drinks, where the team will present your Grand Tours Project cycling kit and provide a detailed logistics briefing for the stages ahead.
A baptism of fire for the start of the second week – immediately plunging riders into a significant mountain challenge – the Massif Central. Beginning in Aurillac, the route is defined by the steep, unpredictable climbs and descents of the Cantal’s volcanic landscape, a region that demands constant concentration. With nearly 4,000 metres of vertical ascent, this stage is a true test of endurance, featuring multiple categorised climbs culminating in the spectacular finish at the ski resort of Le Lioran. This tough, medium-mountain day serves as a perfect reintroduction to high-intensity climbing before the Tour heads north.
Following the brutal climbing in the Cantal, this day offers a scenic and fast transition north. Starting in the famed spa town of Vichy, the route travels across the rolling plains and through classic French countryside. While not flat, the 1,400 metres of ascent are spread out, making this one of the quickest stages on the calendar and a chance to truly test your speed and recovery. This stage is strategically positioned to conserve energy ahead of the tough climbs later this week. The route concludes in Nevers, a key city in central France.
This stage starts at or near the famed Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, before heading out onto the open road. The day is characterised by constant, rolling terrain as the Tour begins its journey east toward Burgundy. The climbing is spread across numerous short, sharp hills, demanding constant effort with small descents of respite. This demanding, yet scenic, ride through the central French countryside eventually brings the peloton to the historic city of Chalon-sur-Saône, and home to several famous Burgundy vineyards.
This is the longest stage of the tour’s second week, a demanding day that transitions riders from the agricultural plains into the formidable hills of the Jura and Vosges mountains. Starting in Dole, the hometown of scientist Louis Pasteur, the route steadily moves eastward, characterised by constantly undulating roads. The ascent total is collected across numerous significant climbs in the heart of the Jura mountains, demanding consistent effort. The long distance combined with the sustained climbing makes this a decisive endurance test before reaching the historic finish city of Belfort at the foot of the mountainous terrain ahead.
A decisive day in the Vosges, offering a stunning array of classic climbs and high mountain views. Starting in Mulhouse, the TDF route immediately heads into the relentless, green mountains of the Vosges, collecting almost 4,000 metres of vertical gain over its 155 km length. The stage features a succession of short, incredibly steep climbs that characterise this mountain range, including the famous Col du Grand Ballon and several other major ascents. The day culminates with the demanding final push to the finish line at Le Markstein, a major skiing and cycling resort nestled high on the ridge. This is a day demanding power and endurance, marking the final major climbing challenge before the tour transfers.
The final day for the Week 2 short tour is a genuine monument: a relentless, 184 km transition and climb from the Jura to the high French Alps. Starting in Champagnole, the route immediately challenges riders with sustained climbing as it tracks southeast, accumulating almost 4,000 metres of ascent. The day’s climax is the terrifying final ascent to the Plateau de Solaison. This massive, isolated climb is notorious for its brutal gradients and unforgiving ramps, serving as a spectacular, decisive summit finish. Conquering the Solaison guarantees a high-altitude victory and a defining memory for all REK riders during Week 2.
Day 18 marks the successful conclusion of the Ride Every Kilometre Week 2. Following a final group breakfast, and farewells to riders following the All Stages tour, the GTP team will provide transfers to Geneva Airport for your onward journey. You will depart armed with the unforgettable memories of central France, the famous wine regions and of course the Jura, Vosges and northern end of the Haute-Savoie climbs.The team will bid you farewell as you travel home, having secured your own personal victory over the six stages of the 2026 Tour de France.
The Grand Tours Project: Ride Every Kilometre of the Tour de France – whether experienced over one week or the full three weeks – is an ultimate cycling achievement of a lifetime, a memory that will endure forever.
If this appeals to your sense of adventure, a desire for a real challenge, don’t hesitate to contact us.
The “Ride Every Kilometre” tours give you the opportunity to ride the entire journey – every single kilometre – with your friends. You can choose to ride 3, 6, 9, or even all 21 stages of the race. You and your companions will need to be strong cyclists to achieve this challenge, but you don’t need to be a pro athlete — ours is a journey, not a race, and we’ll leave enough time each day to enjoy lunch breaks and photo stops. This tour is designed to ride 24 hours prior to the official stage.
Tour de France REK
Tour de France 2026: Grand Départ & Week 1 “Ride Every Kilometre” – Catalunya & Pyrenees
Tour de France REK
Tour de France 2026: Week 3 “Ride Every Kilometre” – Alpe d’Huez, French Alps & Paris
Tour de France REK
Tour de France 2026: All 21 Stages “Ride Every Kilometre” – The Ultimate Cycling Challenge
