Thursday, February 17, 2011

Goodbye Blog, Hello Newsletter

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, especially to our loyal followers, but this is the last blog entry for Cycling Classics Challenge Tours. We have enjoyed bringing you news about our company, tours, France, the TDF, and other cycling events. We appreciate everyone’s interest in our posts and comments.

Fortunately, every cloud has a silver lining and so do we. Starting in March 2011 we will begin sending a monthly email newsletter with tour highlights, cycling tips and more. This newsletter is geared towards cycling enthusiasts interested in getting their adrenaline pumping while conquering the legendary classic climbs in France and Spain. Make sure you “don’t get dropped” and subscribe today.

Continue to follow us on Discover France’s blog and our facebook page, where we will post, along with our current content, information about Cycling Classics, the tours and the pro Grand Tours. Our Discover France and Pure Adventures monthly newsletters are other great ways to stay involved and keep up with the latest happening in France and Europe.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Carnivals and Cycling in Nice

Springtime in Nice

As the weather begins to warm up, your legs can’t wait to do the same. Why not roll out your winter hibernated legs in Nice? Many professional athletes enjoy the early training in this part of France because it not only is warmer than the rest of the country it also has great hills and mountains in the interior countryside. Our Nice and French Riviera tour is a perfect way to start training as soon as possible.

The Nice area is well known worldwide for the sun and beaches and cycling, especially the off season training that a lot of athletes do here. While Nice is a big city, the hills and mountains in the interior countryside make great training grounds and it is where we go to enjoy some awesome early season rides. These tours are guided and in conjunction with the Paris Nice pro race and Milan-St Remo, unfortunately there is no VIP access like our Tour de France tours.

The 2011 dates for this tour are March 6-13 and March 18-25. What adds to this exciting tour is the option to go a day early and attend the 127th Nice Carnival starting February 18 until March 8. The carnival consists of 20 floats, 30 giant puppets, and 200 entertainers from around the world. On the last night, as tradition has it, King Carnival parades alone, before being burned at the stake. A firework display to music then takes place over the Baie des Anges and the castle mount comes ablaze as if in response. How amazing would it be to get to be there for this spectacular event? We can help make this once in a lifetime dream trip a reality.

Take a look at the Nice and French Riviera tour itinerary and then contact us with any questions or bite the bullet and book this tour.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Why Cycle the Pyrenees?

5 Reasons to Cycle the Pyrenees


Buried within the high mountains in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France there is history to unveil, towns to explore and exquisite meals to try. This region, widely known for its Tour de France appearances, is a treasure for cyclists looking for tough climbs and superb scenery. Less advanced riders will enjoy biking along rivers running through charming towns and enjoy seeing the magnificent architecture dating back centuries. Like all regions in France, the Midi-Pyrenees has more to offer travelers than one could imagine, including these five:

Roots of Tour de France

The Pyrenees cols were introduced in the Tour de France itinerary in 1910 at the insistence of Tour organizer Henri Desgrange’s colleague. These cols have played an influential role in deciding the outcome of the tour in previous years. The most note-worthy of these is the Col de Tourmalet, which has set the record for tour appearances with 75 summit crossings. The road to the peak can be reached from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan on the east or from Luz-Saint-Sauveur on the west. Both difficult routes have been cycled by biking fanatics who relish in seeing the statue of Octave Lapize, first competitor over the summit in 1910, at the top of the Tourmalet.

Toulouse

Toulouse, referred to as Ville Rose (pink city) for its buildings made of pink brick that seem to change color as the day passes, has a great deal to explore and discover.

  • Museums, with one-of-a-kind collections, are in no short supply in this city. A few worth visiting include Contemporary Art Museum featuring works by many of the most famous artists, Musée St Raymond with art and archaeology dating up to the Middle Ages, and Musée du Vieux Toulouse devoted to the history of Toulouse.
  • While visiting be sure to cycle down the banks of the Garonne River lined with trees giving you the perfect opportunity to escape from the city commotion. The river passes by the charming “old Toulouse” where grand houses dating back to the 18th century line the streets.
  • Toulouse is filled with famous sights as well. For example, the Place du Capitole, located in the middle of the city, houses the town hall, an opera theater and tourist center. The Saint-Sernin church, widely recognized by its octagonal five-level tower, has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Canal du Midi.

Lourdes

Lourdes is a town of Roman Catholic pilgrimage and alleged miraculous healings. Once reports of the Virgin Mary, referred to as Our Lady of Lourdes, appearing to a young peasant girl numerous times went public, millions of people began migrating to Lourdes in search of a spiritual encounter. For this reason, Lourdes is filled with countless churches and sanctuaries which are worth visiting if not for the holy aspect, than for the sheer beauty. The Basilica of Saint Pius X seats 25,000 people, making it one of the biggest in the world. Le Pic du Jer has a large cross that is accessed by a chair lift providing you with wonderful views of the Midi-Pyrenees region. However, spiritual experiences are not all Lourdes has to offer, many tourists enjoy the mountain biking trails as well as cycling along the lake in the town’s center.

Cassoulet

The Midi-Pyrenees region is known for many things, one of which being their cuisine, particularly their cassoulets. The cassoulet is not only one of the most popular dishes in France, but also one of the oldest dating back to the 100 Years War. Many visitors enjoy finding different variations of cassoulets because the possibilities are endless. Most ingredients include white beans, pure pork sausages, and duck confit. Lamb and goose confit are also well-liked components of this delicious stew. This timeless favorite is a must-try for all food-lovers.

Cordes-Sur-Siel

Located in the Tarn department of the Midi-Pyrenees, this hilltop town emerges from the clouds in the valley below taking your breath away at first sight. The town’s narrow streets offer visitors more than they could imagine. With many local art and craft shops ranging from pictures to sculptures to glasswork, no one will leave empty-handed. This town is a sweet-lover’s paradise with its Museum of the Art of Sugar and Chocolate. Cordes-Sur-Siel festivals like the Medieval Festival of the Grand Fauconnier, the Classical Music Festival and the Jousting Tournament will entertain any traveler.


Millions of travelers journey to the Midi-Pyrenees region every year, for numerous reasons. Some enjoy the unique towns and their history, like Lourdes and Toulouse, while others take pleasure in the views at the top of famous summits, like the Col du Toumalet. No matter what the reason for going, everyone leaves the same way, in awe at everything they experienced.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Cyclosportives No One Should Miss

Over the years, more and more people have wanted to ride the routes of the Grand Tours and feel the exhilaration the pros experience when reaching the top of a 2000 meter col. For this reason, we have been seeing an increase of cyclosportive, which Wikipedia describes as a long distance, organized, mass-participation cycling event typically held annually. One of the most popular is the Etape du Tour, covering a different stage of the Tour de France each year. ASO, Amaury Sport Organization, has added another Etape for 2011, since the number of attendees has been dramatically increasing since the first event in 1993.

The Etape du Tour, though the most popular, is not the only cyclosportive event amateurs can participate in. More are being added every year in different locations.

Paris-Roubaix

April 9, 2011

For the first time in history, amateurs get to ride the famous cobblestones of France in the Paris-Roubaix cyclosportive. This race, nicknamed “A Sunday in Hell,” originally started in Paris and ended in Roubaix, the course has been modified over the years, but one thing that doesn’t change is the strenuous kilometers of cobblestones you must endure to reach the finish. Discover France is offering a VIP Guided Paris-Roubaix Tour for those up to the challenge.

Haute Route

August 21-27, 2011

The Haute Route is the highest and one of the most difficult cyclosportive bike races in Europe, challenging riders over 14 legendary Alpine Cols. This event is stretched out over the course of 7 days, cycling 720 km, including 17,000 meters of climbing. Riders can race it individually, as a pair, or as a team (minimum 4 members, maximum of 9). The course starts in Geneva, Switzerland and finishes in Nice, France. The route will provide beautiful views, exciting rides through Europe, and bragging rights to last a lifetime.

La Roue d’Or des Pyrenees

May 22, 2011

Cycle the Hautes-Pyrenees with legendary champs in your slipstream. Roger Walkowiak, Eddy Merckx - Bernard Thevenet, Bernard Hinault, Pedro Delgado, and Miguel Indurain will be present at the event. The race in Argeles-Gazost will have 3 courses to better serve participants cycling ability. The Torny is 129 km, The Surprising is 86 km, and The Sweet is 52km. The passes include Col des Bordères, Col du Soulor, and Col de Spandelles. Although these climbs are not as renowned as Tourmalet or Alpe d’Huez, their difficulties, environment and landscapes will not leave riders disappointed.