Every adventure has a start. The start of this adventure began as I stepped out of Amsterdam’s airport on a cold December night. My phoned buzzed to indicate a message. The message was from Zwift. I read it and I was instantly engrossed, the next few moments were a blur as I walked to the hotel, deep in thought trying to digest what I had read and nearly getting knocked over by a cyclist in the process – this was Amsterdam after all, the mecca for cyclists.
The email from Zwift was announcing their new partnership with Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) who host the Tour de France and the L’Étape du Tour de France. Zwift were informing me that they were going to be working with the ASO to host a series of virtual events, enabling people to experience the climbs from L’Etape du Tour.
The L’Étape du Tour is one of the most prestigious sportives in cycling that takes place on closed roads, and replicates a stage from the Tour de France. This edition, the 32nd is going to be held on 7th July 2024, on a 138km route, identical to the 20th stage of the 2024 Tour de France, and includes 4,600 meters of climbing, taking place between Nice and the Col de la Couilolle.
My mind was sprinting as I realised that I could train for this event on Zwift, learning the climbs, being fully prepared for the event. I thought about all the Mountain Massif members who may also like the opportunity to participate in this event which would provide a unique opportunity for members to connect in the real world, an evolution from the virtual space that we spend so many hours riding in. The issue was logistics, how could this be achieved?
The solution was simple. Only several months earlier, I had visited the UCI World Championships in Glasgow, which had been seamlessly organised by Sportive Breaks. Sportive Breaks are part of Destination Sport Experiences Group which offers tours, travel packages and guaranteed entry to marathon and cyclosportives. I had an excellent experience, so I reached out to see if they could help.
And they could.
Partnership
Mountain Massif is pleased to announce that it is partnering with Sportive Breaks who are able to provide entry and travel packages for the L’Étape du Tour, helping Mountain Massif transcend from the virtual cycling world, into the real, where we can ride the event and reach new heights!
Mountain Massif together with Sportive Breaks will provide you with the opportunity to train for and participate in this iconic event, at a discounted price. By booking with Sportive Breaks,you will have the chance to undertake a trip of lifetime without the added stresses of arranging the logistics, which come with such an undertaking.
With Zwift’s upcoming L’Etape du Tour trainings events, it means is that we will be able to train on Zwift helping prepare for the real-life ride.
Entry for this event has long sold out, but through our partnership we have been able to secure entry tickets, and for those that are interested and want to enjoy the experience hassle free, Sportive Breaks have travel packages available.
Packages
Sportive Breaks are offering 3 packages.
Option 1: Stay at the Finish (Hotels in Valberg and Beuill)
Included with this option is the following:
- 3 nights at a choice of hotels near the finish in Valberg and Beuill
- The services of our local expert guides and bike mechanics
- Race day transfer to the start of the L’Étape du Tour in Nice (including your bike)
- Entry delivered to your accommodation
- Team activities
- Guided warm up rides
- L’Étape du Tour race briefing
- Mechanic service
- Additional private feed stations on the route
- Detailed itinerary
- ABTA protected
Package excludes entry fee for the L’Étape du Tour de France, which is an additional price, £149 which needs to be added at point of sale.
Things to consider for this option:
- Early start on L’Étape du Tour day, followed by 2-hour transfer to the start.
- Finish the L’Étape du Tour and relax!
- Two-hour airport transfer required each way
Sportif Breaks also offer the following to add onto the above package:
- Ridley Fenix SLIC Shimano Ultegra Di2 12 speed disc Bike Hire
- Visit the L’Étape du Tour du Tour expo on Saturday
- Return Nice Airport Transfers for you and your bike, at the following times:
Arrival: 12:30, 14:30, 16:30, 18:30 (Please allow 1 hour from landing for your booked transfer time)
Departure: 06:00, 07:00, 09:00, 11:00 (Please allow for 2.5-hour transfer and 2-hour check in time)
Booking link: here
Option 2: Stay at the Start in Nice
Included with this option is the following:
- 3 nights at hotel Crowne Plaza Nice Arenas
- Bike storage at the hotel
- The services of our local expert guides and bike mechanics
- Daily breakfasts including an early breakfast on L’Étape day
- Guided warm up ride on Saturday
- L’Étape du Tour race briefing
- Additional private feed stations on the route
- Detailed itinerary
- ABTA protected
Package excludes entry fee for the L’Étape du Tour de France, which is an additional price, £149 which needs to be added at point of sale.
Things to consider for this option:
- Visit the L’Étape du Tour expo in person and collect your entry
- No early start to the day
- Ride to the L’Étape du Tour start
- Transport required to get back to your hotel after you finish the L’Étape du Tour
- Potential of a very late finish after the L’Étape du Tour
- Easy, short, airport transfers
Boking link: here
Sportif Breaks also offer the following to add onto the above package:
- Ridley Fenix SLIC Shimano Ultegra Di2 12 speed disc Bike Hire
- Drive to the finish area on Saturday, leave your car and transfer back to Nice
- Valberg to Nice: Post L’Étape du Tour transfer
Option 3: Ticket only
Included with this option is the following:
- Event Entry Only – £149
Booking and recommendation
Once you have decided on what package you are going to book, please enter the code MOUNTAINMASSIFETAPE24, this will give you the 5% discount and allow Sportive Breaks to track the Mountain Massif members.
Mountain Massif will be hosting a “Welcome Meeting” on Friday 5th July in one of the hotels in Valberg and Beuill to provide the opportunity for people to meet up and connect.
Those who book to stay at the finish and need to travel to the start, we will look to travel together to via the coach provided (we would book the required seats) and in addition, we can take advantage of the group ride which Sportive Breaks is facilitating on the Saturday, which is part of the package and takes place, after breakfast.
Mountain Massif can confirm that a discount code will be provided to purchase your very own Mountain Massif kit, via the Mountain Massif club shop, which is operated by Nopinz, with the Superlight jersey being the recommended purchase because it most closely mirrors that in Zwift.
In this a guided tour?
This is not a guided tour, but there is nothing stopping fellow Mountain Massif members cycling and enjoying this unique experience together, after all, events such as these are often more gratifying when shared.
Summing up
Connect with fellow Mountain Massif members and ride beyond your perceived limits, reaching new heights as you tackle the L’Étape du Tour de France, booked via Sportive Breaks.
