TOUR INTRODUCTION
If you love bikes – and you’re looking for a memorable holiday that leaves you not just a fitter, but also a smarter cyclist – then this exclusive camp at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland is going to blow you away.
Founded in 2002, the UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) is a training centre for promising athletes from developing nations. With alumni like Chris Froome, it’s no wonder that more than 100 athletes a year, across Road, BMX racing, MTB and Track cycling, live and train at the WCC. This once in a lifetime trip takes you behind-the-scenes of this incredible centre providing unprecedented access to the facility, staff, coaches and riders.
Along with the fully supported road rides, including gravel, you'll also get to jump onto the Velodrome and BMX tracks where you’ll learn new skills and have an absolute blast. Along the way, you’ll get personal coaching and tips from our world-class team. Over dinner, you’ll also hear insider stories from our special UCI guests and riders-in-residence, who will share their dreams of World & Olympic glory.
As impressive as the UCI World Cycling Centre is, our base in the Swiss canton of Vaud might just beat it for jaw-dropping good looks. Located along the Rhone valley, just down from Lake Geneva, we’re surrounded by terraced hillside vineyards, alpine peaks, lush meadows and gorgeous forests.
To top it off, our luxury accommodation at Hotel Les Bains offers a trilogy of relaxation, wellbeing and health with its world class spa and mineral baths.
THIS IS A TRIP FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE SPORT OF CYCLING AND RELISH THE GOOD LIFE.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Hosted by Après Vélo in collaboration with the UCI, you will receive an inspiring and rewarding experience both on and off the bike.
- Switzerland is a paradise for devotees of road cycling from undulating vineyards to high alpine cols.
- Ride on pristine roads and quiet gravel through scenic mountain landscapes in a cycling-friendly environment.
- Fully supported rides with guides, mechanics, tools and support vehicle.
- Unprecedented access to the exclusive UCI World Cycling Centre.
- Become a smarter cyclist and learn from some of the world’s best coaches, including Neal Henderson, who has coached athletes to more than 50 world championships.
- Ride with some of of the most promising athletes from the WCC and meet with UCI executives to learn the inner workings of the sport.
- Learn to ride on a world-class Velodrome and Olympic-level BMX track (bikes and equipment provided).
- Authentic Swiss food and wine at luxury restaurants, guest speakers and vineyard tours.
- In addition to coach Neal Henderson, your guides for the week include Après Vélo Founder Leonard Greis, David McQuillen, Founder of The Sufferfest and Head of Content for Wahoo SYSTM, and Alain Rumpf, the foremost authority in all things Swiss cycling.
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Premium accommodation at the Grand Hotel des Bains which is directly connected to Les Bains Spa and Mineral Baths.
JOIN US ON THIS UNIQUE ONCE IN A LIFETIME CYCLING ADVENTURE.
🚲 RIDE
Ride all the bikes. Or most of them, at least. You’ll be on the road and gravel in one of the most stunning and bike-friendly areas of the world. You’ll also hit the boards of the UCI Velodrome and the slopes of an Olympic-class BMX track (that’s right).
📚 LEARN
Not only are you going to leave this camp fitter, but you’re also going to leave it smarter. With classroom sessions and personal coaching from Neal Henderson and the WCC coaches, as well as insider chats with UCI executives, you’ll learn more about the sport and yourself than you thought possible on this cycling holiday. The benefits of this holiday will stay with you for years to come.
🍴 EAT & DRINK
Surrounded by vineyards and authentic Swiss cuisine, wine and dine in the perfect environment whilst listening to behind-the-scenes stories from our special dinner guests.
🛏 REST
We understand the importance of down time, comfort and peace. Your home for the week will be located in the luxury Hotel Le Bains. This isn’t just any hotel. This one comes complete with its own hot springs complex for you to relax, recover and enjoy!
↻ REPEAT
With full support on all the rides, all you’ll need to focus on is riding, learning and experiencing the inevitable joy that only a unique cycling holiday like this can bring.
LIMITED AVAILIBILITY
ITINERARY
Distance: 45km
Elevation: 100m
Upon arrival in Geneva, you’ll take the train to Lavey, where we’ll pick you up and take you to our accommodation for the week - the gorgeous Hotel Lavey Les Bains (complete with access to the famous hot springs!). For those who arrive early enough, we’ll have a short shake-out ride before a welcome dinner with UCI World Cycling Centre staff.
Accommodation: Hotel Lavey Les Bains
Welcome Dinner: Provided by Après Vélo
Distance: ~30km on road // 2 hrs on Velodrome
Elevation: ~100m
Arrive at the exclusive UCI World Cycling Centre for a behind-the-scenes tour led by none other than the Director, Jacques Landry. After seeing everything from the restaurant to the service course, to the gym and classrooms, you’ll have lunch and an intriguing classroom session. From there – it’s onto the Velodrome for a 2hr orientation session that will have you flying around the boards in no time. An easy ride back to the hotel is followed by dinner at a local restaurant with special guests from the UCI.
Accommodation: Hotel Lavey Les Bains
Dinner: Provided by Après Vélo and w/ special guests from the UCI.
Distance: ~70km
Elevation: ~700m
The climb of the Torgon is a rite-of-passage for any athlete staying at the UCI World Cycling Centre. Today, we will be joined by some WCC athletes, before climbing to the village at the top. There, you will experience a bike handling & descending masterclass before heading back to the WCC. After lunch, learn the basics of bike mechanics from the Service Course team. An easy ride back to the hotel is followed by dinner at a restaurant with special guests from the UCI.
Accommodation: Hotel Lavey Les Bains
Dinner: Provided by Après Vélo and w/ special guests from the UCI.
Distance: ~45km
Elevation: ~500m
After breakfast, head out on a beautiful loop through the vineyards and rolling hills of the Vaud region with spectacular views of the nearby mountain ranges. See if you can count all the cows. After lunch at the WCC, we’re back on the Velodrome for a fun session with the WCC Track Coach where you’ll put into action what you learned earlier in the week. After riding back to the hotel, we’ll head to a local vineyard for wine tasting followed by dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Lavey Les Bains
Dinner: Provided by Après Vélo and w/ special guests from the UCI.
Distance: ~100km
Elevation: ~2,000m
Time to head up into the mountains. Start the day with an epic ride through quiet roads, stunning landscapes and long steady climbs. Once back at the WCC, have lunch and then suit up like gladiators to try your hand at BMX. You’ll amaze yourself as you learn some incredibly useful bike-handling skills, working your way around the track under the watchful eye of the WCC BMX coach. The easy ride home is followed by dinner and perhaps a soak in the hot springs.
Accommodation: Hotel Lavey Les Bains
Dinner: Provided by Après Vélo and w/ special guests from the UCI.
Distance: ~85km
Elevation: ~1,500m
What a way to finish things up – an incredibly beautiful gravel ride through the hills above Lavey, curated by our legendary guide, Alain Rumpf. Alain knows the area like the back of his hand, and you’ll get to experience a side of this region that few people ever see. Soak in the thermal springs before we finish off with our farewell dinner at the historic Aigle castle.
Accommodation: Hotel Lavey Les Bains
Farewell Dinner: Farewell dinner at Aigle Castle and w/ special guests from the UCI.
Saturday 17th June -
With legs full of hills and a head full of learning, it’s time to say goodbye to the incredible UCI World Cycling Centre, our base in Lavey and all new friends. We will arrange an early-morning transfer to the train station for those heading home or onwards to the Après Vélo Italian camp.
The Après Vélo itinerary may be subject to slight route changes, and other modifications subject to circumstances.
START LOCATION & DETAILS
📍 Pick Up Location: Lavey train station
🕐 Pick Up Time: 11th June, 2023. Exact time TBC.
FINISH LOCATION & DETAILS
📍 Drop Off Location: Lavey train station
🕐 Drop Off Time: 17th June, 2023. Exact time TBC.
PRICES & DATES
BOOK NOW whilst you can to reserve your spot.
INCLUSIONS
ACCOMMODATION
Grand Hotel des Bains Lavey
Located at the foot of the Dents du Midi very close to the high peaks, in the heart of the valley, nestles a thermal Eden. . . The Baths of Lavey…your home for the week.
Les Bains de Lavey are part of the Eurothermes group and benefit from extensive experience in hydrotherapy developed in France.
Les Bains de Lavey offer a trilogy of “well-being, relaxation and health” with a very special touch that promotes emotion and escape.
MEALS
- Welcome dinner and drinks
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Alcohol with dinners
- Mid week wine tasting
- Farewell dinner
BEHIND THE SCENES ACCESS TO THE EXCLUSIVE UCI WORLD CYCLING CENTRE
TUITION AND COACHING FROM THE WORLDS BEST
SUPPORT
- Ride support with safety focus and professional local guides. We recognise that no rider is the same and we ensure that no-one is left behind whilst Living the Ride with us in Switzerland.
- Support van providing mechanical assistance if required.
- On road nutrition & hydration support.
TRANSFERS
- Transfer (with luggage & bike) from and to the Lavey Train Station at the designated pick up time on the 11th and 17th June (Times TBA).
- Transfers to and from all meals.
BIKE HIRE
- Track bike
- BMX bike
- Top end road bike hire (Extra cost. Talk to us when booking)
GEAR
- Complimentary Après Vélo and UCI swag.
PHOTOGRAPHY
- Receive a gallery of lifelong memories with incredible images taken on tour.
NOT INCLUDED
- Airfare.
- Travel insurance.
- Mid ride Café stops.
- In-room hotel charges.
- Gratuities.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
See our FAQs page for answers to common questions or contact us via email.
NEED MORE INFO?
See our links below for more information about this tour.
