Bike Adventure The Grand Tour - Bicycle Touring Travels

The Grand Tour

All the highlights of the Grand Tour in Le déchaîné. »»

See Bruno Beauregard's video (Cogeco Saint-Hyacinthe)

In the wake of Champlain... Experience a historic Grand Tour!
This year’s Grand Tour achieves a delicate balance between the exciting and the memorable. The excitement of cycling a new route, more often than not on the smoothest pavement. The pleasure of spending some time in Lake George the day before cycling your first kilometre. The chance to travel back in time, to follow in the footsteps of Samuel de Champlain by exploring the valley that bears his name—an exploit that can be hard on the legs, but that is never less than easy on the eyes. A great opportunity to size up the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain, and to follow their natural extension in the Richelieu Valley, as you make your way to Saint-Hyacinthe. And how pleasant it will be to stop, relax and enjoy the good things in life at the many comfortable sites along the way: in Ticonderoga and Bluff Point (Plattsburgh), promontories that provide a vantage point on the majestic beauty of the valley, or on the campus of Fort Saint-Jean, on the banks of the Richelieu. To cycle this Grand Tour is to pedal toward an unforgettable paradise. As Samuel himself might have said, “I love it!”

Three days of the Grand Tour
Take advantage of our Grand Tour Weekend package to get a taste of the event, even if you don't have a whole week to spare. Consult the package.

A one-of-a-kind bicycle vacation!
All you need to know about this summer’s Grand Tour »»

Read Canadian Cyclist's article »» Biking Bis »»

August 8 to 10, 2010 - Week-end • Price (taxes included) : $445
August 8 to 13, 2010 - Under the Stars • Price (taxes included) : $745
August 8 to 13, 2010 - Under the Covers • Price (taxes included) : $1,150
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UNDER THE STARS PACKAGE (Reserve now!)
The Grand Tour, August 8 to 13
Price (taxes included)¹: $745 through June 4; $825 after June 4
17 years and under $525
¹The "Under the Stars" package includes: 5 or 6 nights at campsite; 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 evening meals; Saint-Hyacinthe/Glens Falls shuttle.

Grand Tour Weekend, August 8 to 10
Price (taxes included)²$445 $ through June 4; $495 after June 54
17 years and under $315
²The "Under the Stars Grand Tour Weekend" package includes: 2 or 3 nights at campsite; 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches et 3 evening meals; Saint-Hyacinthe/Glens Falls and Plattsburgh/Saint-Hyacinthe shuttles.

UNDER THE COVERS PACKAGE (Reservation as of March 9)
Under the Covers³ $1150
³The "Under the Covers" package includes: 5 nights in two-to three-star motels and hotels, double occupancy; 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches; Saint-Hyacinthe/Glens Falls shuttle.

Under the Covers plus⁴$1275
⁴The "Under the Covers plus" package includes: all of the services comprising the "Under the Covers" package plus the 5 evening meals at the campsite.

Option of one extra night on Saturday, August 7⁵$115 extra
⁵The option for one extra night includes: 1 night in three-star hotel, double occupancy; 1 breakfast.

The Grand Tour is an event that brings together 2,000 cyclists as well as 350 employees and volunteers, including 90 bicycle escorts.

Start/Finish: Saint-Hyacinthe.

Registration and departure for Glens Falls
On Saturday, August 7, all cyclists and their bicycles will be registered in Saint-Hyacinthe. And on that same day, cyclists will have the option of beginning their stay in New York State, by boarding a shuttle to Glens Falls (near Lake George), where they can stay at a campsite set up just for them. Another shuttle will depart on the morning of Sunday, August 8. And no matter when they arrive in Glens Falls, all participants can pick up their bicycles on Sunday morning.

Optional shuttles, for an additional fee
To make it easier for you to take part in the Grand Tour, optional shuttle buses to transport you and your bicycle will leave from Saint-Lambert (on the South Shore of Montreal). Reserve by July 10.

From day to day

Saturday, August 7
Starting at 8:30 a.m., all cyclists and their bicycles will be registered in Saint-Hyacinthe. On that same day, cyclists will have the option to begin their trip in New York State by boarding a shuttle to Glens Falls (near Lake George), where they can stay at a campsite set up just for them.
Saint-Hyacinthe/Glens Falls shuttle schedule: continual departures from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Sunday, August 8
Shuttle departure from Saint-Hyacinthe to Glens Falls at 6:30 a.m. Please note that no bicycles will be registered on Sunday morning. And no matter when they arrive in Glens Falls, all participants can pick up their bicycles on Sunday morning.

Short route: 378 km • Long route: 689 km

Day 1 - Glens Falls, Queensbury, Kingsbury, Hartford, Fort Ann, Granville, Whitehall, Dresden, Putnam, Ticonderoga (86 to 109 km).
Day 2 - Free day or looped route via Hague, Horicon, Chester, Schroon (101 to 112 km).
Day 3 - Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Moriah, Westport, Essex, Willsboro, Chesterfield, Peru, Plattsburgh. Optional route: via Lewis (113 to 130 km).
Day 4 - Free day or looped route via Schuyler Falls, Peru, Ausable, Keeseville. Optional route: via Chesterfield (39 to 94 km).
Day 5 - Plattsburgh, Beekmantown, Chazy, Champlain, Rouses Point, Lacolle, Saint-Valentin, Saint-Blaise-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Optional route: via Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Hemmingford (96 to 147 km).
Day 6 - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Richelieu, Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Saint-Damase, Saint-Pie, Saint-Hyacinthe. Optional route: via Saint-Dominique (83 to 97 km).

Itinerary subject to change.

MAJOR CYCLING TRIPS PACKAGE

Our major cycling trips have become must-attend events! The routes change from year to year, but the pleasure remains the same. Collective and contagious. Thousands of people combine cycling, camaraderie, exploration, celebration and camping. At the end of each stage of these bicycle-tourism outings, the participants arrive at a daily “village” with numerous activities and services, where a genuine joie de vivre reigns supreme. The extraordinary support services, developed over many years of experience, allow you to remain as independent as possible, while enjoying the many comforts and advantages of group travel. What we offer are real vacations!

The Petite Aventure is three beautiful days of bicycle bliss. Attracting 1,700 participants of all ages, this trip is always extremely popular.

The Grand Tour, which has become a veritable bicycle-tourism institution in Quebec, brings together an impressive pack of 2,000 cyclists, who cover approximately 600 km at their own pace over six days.

More details

ON THE ROAD
All the routes are clearly marked. Just admire the countryside and follow the directions. One less thing to worry about! A definite advantage for absent-minded, contemplative or athletic cyclists, and for those who have no sense of direction whatsoever.

You will obviously embark on your cycling vacation with a bicycle that it is in perfect condition and suitable for the activity, but if minor mechanical problems crop up, our cycling escorts will come to your assistance. Unless a major repair is required, all basic services are free (parts extra). The relief vehicle can also come to the rescue of mechanics (or cyclists) who are too tired to go on!

AT THE VILLAGE
The tent villages that the cyclists set up every day are generally located on the grounds of an educational institution and are equipped with complete washroom facilities. In addition to the “Festi-showers”—a trailer equipped with showers supplied with hot water—the site boasts a massage therapy service, Internet access, a bicycle repair shop and, in the case of the Petite Aventure and the Grand Tour, a lively bistro!

Cyclists know better than anyone how a day of pedalling can whet the appetite for culinary delights! And Vélo Québec Voyages has long been renowned for the brilliance of its caterers, who expertly concoct generous meals and menus that are sure to please. If you’re a vegetarian, indicate your preference on the reservation form: meatless menus, which may include fish, eggs and dairy products, will be prepared for you.

A TYPICAL DAY
Breakfast (between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.), lunch (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) and supper (between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.). As for the rest, it’s up to you! Take part in the various activities on offer at the village (between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m.). Take a stroll, have some fun or just relax. It’s your vacation!

The major cycling trips include:
• meals (excluding alcoholic beverages);
• baggage transportation;
• support on the road;
• mechanical assistance;
• relief vehicles;
• activities at the village;
• a participant’s booklet with daily routes and tourist information.

• The prices include taxes and the $3.50 contribution per $1,000 of services purchased to the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents.
• Personal equipment (tent, bicycle, etc.) is not included.

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