Crossing the Alpes or Pyrenees

As if cycling up the famous climbs of Oisans area or Mont Ventoux wasn't enough; we are coming out with 2 trips for crossing the entire range of the French Alpes or French Pyrenees!

First, crossing the Pyrenees; this is the site which we support with tour services. We will offer this on a guided basis as well composed uniquely of foreigners in English. The site below also offers some guided dates in French; and the possibility to go self guided.

http://www.routepyrenees.com/groupes.htm

Now, for the Traversee des Alpes; or crossing the Alpes! We are using a known itinerary and organizing one group guided date. See the first bit of info at this link: http://www.cyclingclassics.com/french_alps02.php

These trips are hard. No way around it; you have to like climbing! The scenery and the challenge as well as the reward are incomparable! Stay tuned for more details or if you have an interest; shoot me an email: info@cyclingclassics.com

Armstrong Confirms for Tour de France

USA Today and Velo News are reporting, as is everyone else, that Lance Armstrong has confirmed he will race the Tour de France in 2009. The Astana Website has an announcement: http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/index.html


I particularly liked the story by the LA Times Online for the way it addressed the way this has played out in the press over the last weeks. Its great to have Armstrong finally take a decision on this; who knows what may have been discussed in back channels, but lets get on with it. This announcement is great for all concerned parties, regardless of the result - save one. (no doping allegations or dramas)

Now we can let the anticipation begin, the hype for a really big Tour de France with Contador and Armstrong and a powerful Astana looking for redemption. It should be fun, and I will be there to catch it - will you?? www.cyclingclassics.com/grand_tour.php

L

Tour de France Visits Spain in 2009

The Tour de France is making an important visit to the Spanish region of Cataluyna in 2009 with a stage from Girona to Barcelona and a stage from Barcelona to Andorra. Not only is Barcelona one of the biggest tourist markets in Spain and in Europe, but Girona has become associated with professional cycling for the number of athletes who have called the city home. There are a number of professional races as well in the Cataluyna region that are highly regarded by the pro teams as well, and so now the Tour de France will bring the worldwide attention it generates as well!

Under our brand Pure Adventures, we have been offering and continue to offer cycling tours in the Girona area, mostly along the coast (Costa Brava) but we also offer a "challenging cycling" tour that covers the rolling hill country and goes into the Spanish Pyrenees. This tour is shown on our website at www.cyclingclassics.com/girona.php .

Now, for the Tour's visit in 2009, we have organized a special weeklong trip that combines viewing a few stages of this big event with the challenging cycling routes we offer in our 'challenge' tour. See full details of the new program at http://www.cyclingclassics.com/grand_tour03.php

The New York Times ran a story in 2005 about cycling in Girona and the "buzz" given this town by Lance Armstrong. See the story and our company mention at http://travel.nytimes.com/2005/06/12/travel/12girona.html

French Grand Tour 2009

Want to see the best cyclists duking it out on the most beautiful roads anywhere? We have finally posted our 2009 tours to follow the French Grand Tour, aka Le Tour, across France next July!

In case you missed the release of the route about 2 weeks ago, check it out on the official website at http://www.letour.fr/ Some really great and surprising changes we made for the 2009 edition. This route allows us to offer a number of tours in conjunction, some that will challenge the strongest cyclists and one that will accommodate more moderate cycling.

Our tours are VERY well priced too! We are pretty proud of the fact we are able to offer fully guided trips, quality accommodations, and sell it at the rates we do. Of course, we are supplying services to wholesalers around the world, but in this case you go direct to the source!

We have trips that cover the Alpes, the Pyrenees, Mont Ventoux, Spain, and the French Riviera to Provence. These are truly the best places to ride and take in the race. The Euro has lost value over the last month so that it is more and more affordable. Contact us with questions, the groups are small, and will fill up quickly. First come, first served!

All tours are listed in detail here:

http://www.cyclingclassics.com/grand_tour.php