Some years ago we (Topbike) stopped ‘chasing’ the tour, however the October announcement of Le Tour (TDF) route is always a highly anticipated event. Even more exciting for us this year as our much loved (and hated!) Alpe d’Huez (where we lived at the base of in 2024) features not once but twice. Having finished at the summit the day prior, the penultimate stage follows (more or less) the Marmotte route, with a nasty addition of the Col De Sarenne approach, the East side.

Our planned 2026 Fixed location French Alps tour covers the same ground, albeit across different days, so come and join us so that you can yell at the telly ‘I rode that climb on holiday’…

Grenoble pick-up and drop off. One location Le Bourg d’oisans.

Eat out at our favourite local restaurants every night.
This tour is for people who wear Lycra and like to climb mountains…

(See some Tour highlights from our past French Alps Tours  in the French Alps Tours Highlights & Photogallery)

Dave and Annabelle are running a Tuscan Tour in May 2026.

Pick-up Pistoia, Drop off Florence.

In contrast to the French Alps, the hills are rolling; each day the undulations will cover around 70km.

3 different locations with a true Tuscan feel to the dining and accommodation. One day will involve a ride in the Chianti region of ‘Strade Bianche’ or ‘white roads’ of Tuscany, often used in the L’Eroica event.

Places are limited due to the small accommodation availability en-route and so contact us if you are interested in this tour.

Some time back I started ordering some XXS jerseys for a few friend’s kids. This morphed into the $5 podium deal ($10 for the top step) – exposure is exposure – right

Recently 8 year old Alexander Moriarty told me (second invoice) I currently owe him $50. He also ‘won’ a new bike racing the Geelong ‘Dirt Squirts’ thanks to Simon Gerrans. Gerro (Hendry Cycles) sponsored the series. Even better, is Gerro himself turned up to present the bike at the race in the You Yangs. A winner of stages in all 3 Grand Tours and Yellow jersey winner TDF, turning up to a wet kids race on a Sunday! Now that’s giving back to the sport – Gerro we reckon you are great!
And Alexander – we will keep sponsoring him while we can afford him!

Cup weekend a group of 14 friends of Naomi Williams (AKA ‘Ren’) got together and rode a gravel tour for 4 days around the Northeast of Tassy. The ride routes and accommodation were organised by a few girls in the group. As a tour organiser it was wonderful to turn up and just ride, with no input into the trip. The gravel routes were through pristine forests, winding to and from untouched coastlines. The rides were interspersed with great dining and accommodation, and it feels like the locals there were excited to welcome tourists from the mainland. Tassy – we will be back, soon I hope.

April 17-24 | 2026
 EHIME – JAPAN #1   |

April 27 – May 4 | 2026
 EHIME – JAPAN #2   | (FULL)

May 8-15 | 2026
 EHIME – JAPAN #3   | (FULL)

May 13-20 | 2026
TOUR OF TUSCANY – CLASSIC TUSCAN  |

May 25 – June 1 | 2026
GIRO D’ITALIA   |

June 19-26 | 2026
AC Pyrenees (SOLD OUT)  |

July 6-13 | 2026
FRENCH ALPS (Climbs!)  | (One location. Loads of climbing)

Sept 6-15 | 2026
CLASSIC ITALIAN CLIMBS    |

Sept 18-25 | 2026
TOUR of TUSCAN APENNINES ‘TOTA’   |

Meanwhile

We are home for a bit with lots of weekend events planned. Betty has taken to setting her alarm to 5.45 and badgering one of us to take her and her friend for a couple of Downhill shuttles prior to school. I have delegated this to Dave so far, when it warms up I might join her but she tells me I will be too slow…

Topbike Dave, Emma and Betty Event Calendar – come say Hi!
* November 22/23 Round 2 Vic DH series – Shepparton
* November 29/30 Dave has a reunion with his lovely 2023 Piemonte Tour group
* December 13th Specialized Sidewinder showdown – Thredbo

…roll into silly season

Emma Colson (AKA MBW)
November 2025

WILIER Hybrid E-bikes available, so get your non-cycling friends along to join you, so they can share in the fun.