Le Tour 2009 - Its here!

What; world economic collapse? Stocks down the drain? College & retirement funds worth half? Well, no fear, the 2009 Tour route has been announced and is the perfect reason to NOT watch the news! Official Website of Le Tour

Many of you who subscribe to this feed are looking for tours to follow this race, "The French Grand Tour". We are working on them! We had a few surprises with the announcement today, but had it mostly correct. Here are some teasers about what we will announce:

4 Open Tours for Booking:

Group 1: start in Nice/Monte Carlo to watch the Opening, then move on to Provence and base ourselves on the beach near Montpellier and watch the various stages and enjoy life in the southern Provencal coast with some rides and race ambiance! This trip will be a combination of moderate and challenging rides - so good for some people who aren't as strong as their spouses!

Group 2: Spain Bebe! Meet in Barcelona, start on the coast and take in the early stages of Barcelona and Girona. We'll ride into the Pyrenees and up to the Vallter - about 2000 meters in elevation. Return to Girona. Challenging cycling!

Group 3: Alpes + Ventoux - get started with Alpe d'Huez and the Galibier before we move on to Annecy area for the stages in Grand Bornand and Annecy. Then we'll get south for the famous Mont Ventoux and the extraordinary "final race day" of the tour.

Group 4: Like Group 3 above, except with the French Pyrenees and then Mont Ventoux.

Details are coming...

But, what about this 2009 route that was released today??!! I think its GREAT ! Why? First, I love the fact that the first week isn't in the rainy and cold north. The French Riviera, Provence and then Spain - perfecto! What is shocking is the very little coverage for the French Pyrenees and the traditional routes of the Alpes. I don't know when Pau was left off a TDF! The next few days after the Pyrenees could be a little less interesting as the route moves north, but it will get fun again as it turns south. There is no Alpe d'Huez this year, no Galibier, and some of the other 'usual suspects' of the Oisans area. That too is schocking, but there is the Tourmalet! Then, the agent of change Mr Prudhomme, has put in the grand daddy Mont Ventoux as the final stage before TGV back to Paris and the ceremonial final stage. WOW!

I like the fact that the team time trial is back, and also a prologue TT that is a bit more than ceremonial at 15 km. The Tour will really be decided on July 23 and July 25: Annecy time trial and then Mont Ventoux. Can a time trialist put in enough time at Annecy to hold off a climber? Or can a climber put in a good enough TT to be in position for the Ventoux?? I have no idea who this favors, but I would think Contador is a favorite given his performances this year and last.

Finally, lets hope Team Astana is not overlooked. ASO can deliver a very dramatic and FUN 2009 tour if they invite Astana. If they don't, well, sorry to the rest of the peloton, but it just wouldn't be that serious and the victor could hardly be considered the best of the best.

L

Etape du Tour & Cyclosportives

What is Etape du Tour? First, perhaps I should discuss the 'cyclosportive'. Wikipedia actually has a great description/definition and then lots of links. See the link below. (photo: yours truly at the 2007 Etape)

Etape du Tour and La Marmotte are among the most popular cyclosportives. They are both mass start cycling events that travel over closed roads with timing chips, water and food stations as well as limited technical support. They are great events, professionally organized, and extremely well attended. Etape du Tour draws about 8000 participants. Both the Marmotte and Etape take place in July. La Marmotte is always the same course in the Alpes from Bourg d'Oisans around the big climbs of Croix de Fer, Galibier and finishes up at Alpe d'Huez. L'Etape is always a stage of the Tour de France (stage = etape in French). So, its 'stage of the tour'. Therefore it changes every year. Its usually a well kept secret what the route will be until about the same time as the Tour de France route is released. The official website of the Etape is this:

http://www.letapedutour.com/

For 2009 we are running trips for several private groups at Etape du Tour and depending on final numbers we may have some extra places available. We plan to coordinate the Etape experience with some cycling to also catch the 'French Grand Tour' (as we call it). To see updated info about La Marmotte in 2009, see below. Depending on dates and how it may lay out for a combination with L'Etape, we may have programs available to do both.

We do currently have some educated and informed guesses about the Etape route and we are making plans. We will announce programs after the official release later this month.

Links:

http://www.sportcommunication.com/ - click on Epreuves to find La Marmotte

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclosportive

http://www.discoverfrance-adventures.com/2007_07_01_archive.html - an archive recount of the 2007 Etape

http://www.discoverfrance-adventures.com/2006_07_01_archive.html - an archive recount of the 2006 Etape

L

Mont Ventoux and Truffle Hunting

We've had some late season inquiries recently; so here is a unique adventure idea for this November and December:

Truffle Hunting and Cycling In the Mont Ventoux area of the Vaucluse! The Chateau de Mazan is organizing some truffle hunting excursions at the end of November and into December. We can add on some cycling routes if you are hardy enough to endure the possible cold, windy, and potentially wet weather!

As the Chateau de Mazan is a luxury chateau hotel, you will have plenty of comfort to come back to after a nice autumn ride. Dinners are gastronomic affairs and are sure to make you warm and comfortable.

Truffles - you aren't sure? Well, yes, they are mushrooms, but not just any mushroom. Sometimes called black diamonds, they are worth about as much as real diamonds. They are rare, hard to find, and delicious! The truffle hunter who leads the hunt brings along his dog to sniff out the diamonds!

Contact us for info! info@cyclingclassics.com