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France Cycling Tour
The most exciting bicycle event in 2009
The Big Race in France is one of the three Grand Tours on the calendar of the UCI-Pro Tours. UCI is the governing body for international cycling. The other two Grand Tours are Italy's Giro and Spain's Vuelta. The French Grand Tour starts in Monaco, July 4th, and finishes as usual in Paris, July 26th, click here for 2009 TOUR ROUTE.
The 2009 Tour coincides again with the EuroCycler Alps program, an area that we know inside out after so many year, guaranteeing you superbe guiding. So we are not following the professional riders, but they come to us. In any case, we start Thursday July 16th based in Annecy in the Alps and already the following day you will experience spectacular mountain riding on current and former race courses such as Col de la Madeleine, Col de la Croix de Fer, Cormet de Roseland and of course the famed Alpe d'Huez where we organize an individual time trial for our guests. And let us warn you, you will be in quite some pain here and there...
On Friday July 24, the EuroCycler show is over and we assist you with your future travel plans to Paris, or maybe you go back home, or cyclcle a few more days in the Alps with your newly made friends. View the detailed itinerary here.
Take in the excitement at your own pace
Of course, the most exciting aspect of EuroCycler's 2009 cycling trip in France is the chance to ride the same historic roads as bicycling's top competitors. But that doesn't mean you need to be an elite rider yourself to come along.
Depending on your skill and speed level, you will be assigned to one of our ride groups. Each will be led by an English-speaking guide who keeps the desired pace and carries a mobile phone to stay in contact with the van and other group leaders. Some mornings we will set out on our bikes right from the hotel, others we will ride a few miles in a van to a predetermined drop off point. The more leisure-focused group will cover about 40 miles each day at a brisk but recreational pace. The more performance-minded will cover up to 70 miles a day at an aggressive pace.
 As
you cruise along many of the same roads that were tackled by bicycling's
most elite competitors, you'll be shadowed by a nearby support van
ready to provide food, drinks, simple repairs or a change of clothes
when needed. And, if you find the day's ride a bit too challenging,
you can just throw your bike on the trailer and hop in.
After gathering at predetermined points for a pick-nick lunch, we will either continue the bicycle ride at our pace
or re-board the van for a ride back to the hotel, no
doubt sharing stories of the day's adventures every mile of the
way.
Ride like the competitors. Live like the
competitors.
Throughout your unforgettable journey, you'll enjoy comfortable accommodations in well-appointed three- and some four star hotels. All locations were selected for their comfort and easy access to our rides in order to provide as much riding time - without having to change the hotel.
We'll begin each day with a hearty bicyclist's breakfast to fuel our day's riding. And we'll enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of trees along the way. Our one concession to luxury will be to cap several days with a sumptuous meal of fine French cuisine in a renowned local restaurant, where we will also regale each other with stories of the day's adventures. At the same time, you will have plenty of opportunities to explore the villages and cities where we will be staying on your own - or just relax by the pool or often even a lake.
Of course, even as exciting as you'll find the cycling in France, you may also wish to take time off from athletic action to explore one of the country's many other famous attractions by joining our "non-riding" group for a day.
Preparing yourself, your bike and a few other notes of interest.
 Our cycling groups include guests of many riding abilities. However, unlike many tour companies, we do not expect stronger riders to wait for weaker ones or want to push guests beyond their abilities. Depending on your riding skills, you will initially be assigned to one of our ride groups. If you choose (and the Ride Group Leaders approve), you can change ride groups each day should you wish to back off the pace or challenge yourself to ride at a higher level. Throughout the day's ride, your group's leader will provide helpful instruction if needed to help you improve your cycling.
To get the most out your EuroCycler sport cycling vacation in France, however, we do ask that you come prepared to handle the rigors of bicycling's most challenging event. Although you might not have the opportunity to train on 10-mile climbs with endless switchbacks you should be comfortable with your bike handling and group riding skills. You should also be able to ride at least 40 miles on flat terrain at an average speed of 16 miles per hour. And we strongly recommend doing hill repeats and turning up the resistance on your spinning bike to prepare for the considerable climbing you will face as part of this trip. For those who are close but not entirely up to the fitness challenge, we also offer pre-departure coaching to tune you up for your EuroCycler sport vacation. The right mix of cycling skills and preparation maximizes each of our guest's experience on the trip. For pre-departure coaching information please click here.
Of course, should you need to throw in the towel, the ride groups will always be shadowed by a support vehicle with a bicycle trailer onto which you can load your bike completely assembled.
In addition to preparing yourself for the challenges of the Tour, you should also prepare your bike should you choose to bring your own. Even if you are a strong rider we recommend you equip your bike with a 39/25 or even a 38/27. You'll thank us for it later. We also ask that you remove your aerobar. Tri-frames are not allowed on EuroCycler trips.
Guests choosing to use the rental bike included with our package can expect a top-quality road bicycle equipped with Shimano Ultegra components, a triple chainring, drop-handle bar, brake lever shifters and a racing saddle. No family trucksters with luggage racks and dirt guards. Details can be found here.
Upon your arrival, our mechanics will assist you in setting up your bike to your specifications. If you choose to bring your own bike, they will also inspect all equipment to ensure its safe and proper function. Our mechanics will also have a mobile bike shop at their disposal to assist you with most typical repairs and maintenance throughout the trip (material for repairs on personal bikes will be completed at the owner's cost.)
Helmets are required while riding at all times.
Non-Riding Tourist Program
For our Alps 2009 trip, we'll be able to accommodate a limited group of non-riding guests. This "spectator" group will enjoy the same accommodations and meals as the rest of our guests, but will enjoy their own race-viewing and sightseeing itinerary. Led by a guide/hostess assigned specifically to this group, non-riders will often travel in a separate mini-bus to advance ahead to viewpoints and to enjoy sightseeing and shopping at villages and cities along or near the cycling route. Among the many sightseeing highlights non-riders can enjoy are the medieval castles and villages in the surrounding area of Chambery and Grenoble, museums, markets and mountain spas of the French Alps, and the opportunity to go hiking in the mountains. Or the group can simply opt to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in a streetside café while awaiting the arrival of the riders at a village along the desined route. Our French speaking hostess will offer many suggestions, allowing the group to choose their favorite option for each day. When possible, the group will also rendezvous with the riding guests for lunch or to catch an exciting view of the cyclists as they pass. Of course, no matter what the group decides to do each day, we'll all re-group in the evening to enjoy a magnificent dinner and share stories of the day's adventures. As an example from previous trips, click here to view the spectator program of the 2005 Alps program. |
