"Polka Dot Pyrenees" Package

July 12th to July 17th

The Tour de France will tackle the Pyrenees as its second mountain range in 2008. The peloton will come to the high mountains having ridden only a short 29km trial and no Prologue. This means that the "Climbers" won't be several minutes back and that they will be in a position to fight for the Polka-dot jersey, stage wins but Yellow Jersey as well! These mountain stages should be quite animated!

As an official Tour Operator for the Tour de France, we are in a position to offer you behind the scenes access you never thought possible.

This trip will allow you to see the Tour from the inside.

When we mean VIP access, we mean visit of the Press rooms, Technical Zones, visits guided by a representative of the Tour de France organization, visit of the Riders Zone, meeting personalities that have marked the Tour (former Tour winners, personalities, etc...).

In addition to having VIP access to a stage start and finish, you will also be able to ride the final part of stage #11 on July 16th, shortly before the Yellow Jersey and the peloton. This experience will include sag-wagon by our accredited, on-course vans, being escorted by an official Tour de France vehicle over the final few kms, crossing of the finish line and pictures of yourself on the official Podium.

Of course other daily rides and activities / Tour viewing are planned as well. Can you stand not to be part of it?

Please read below for day by day description of the trip.

This trip is open to cyclist as well as those who prefer not to ride and restricted to 20 people to preserve its exclusive character.

- July 12th -

Hotel location: Toulouse

Tour Stage 8  /   Figeac  - Toulouse  /  174km (109 miles)

Our first hotel is ideally located in Toulouse, so we will be in the heart of the action. We are planning on an early pick-up and thus, will be able to see the stage arrival today as well.

Those riding will assemble the bikes and our mechanic will be on hand to lend a hand if needed.

It will then be time to get together over a welcome toast, do proper introductions and go over the next few day's fun and action... all this over a nice dinner of course!

- July 13th -

Hotel location: Luchon

Tour Stage 9  /   Toulouse - Bagneres de Bigorre  /  222km (139 miles)

This is our first day on the Tour, and we kick things off in a terrific way as we will be treated to the "start Village" in Toulouse. This village should open around 10:00am or so, and since we are on sight, we'll be able to walk over to the start. Our cycling will be scheduled for after the stage departure..

Once the stage is off, we will want to hurry to try to beat the peloton to a feedzone or intermediate Sprint along the way. We will see the race go by there once again and will then ride the stage's itinerary to our hotel in Luchon.

The hotel is one of very few 4 star properties in the Pyrenees. Certainly the nicest hotel in the region.

Luchon is a small Spa Town located near the border with Spain and at the foot of several famous climbs; Col de Peyresourde, col du Portillon, Port de Bales, Col de Mente...

- July 14th -

Tour Stage 10  /  Pau - Hautacam  /  154km (96 miles)

Profile

This is THE stage in the Pyrenees this year as it features the mountain top finish in Hautacam, and the Tourmalet as an appetizer! This stage is also relatively short, with a rest day coming after, so all the ingredients are there for an explosive stage.

We will be there to see who crosses the finish line first as we will have passes to access the exclusive VIP Izoard hospitality area overlooking the finish line.

Here hostesses will serve drinks and snacks while watching the live broadcast on Big Screen and TV. After seeing the stage finish from this exclusive viewing area champagne will be served to celebrate the stage winner.
The Izoard bus is among the more exclusive areas at stage finishes and you should expect to see/meet plenty of Tour celebrities.

Those riding, will also be able to ride part of the course today!

Of course this is Bastille day, so we'll plan an outing to this evening to take part in the local festivities!

Col du Portillon

In the afternoon, several options will be possible. If weather allows, our #1 destination would be the Pic du Midi which is an exceptional tourist destination. The site offers an astronomical museum and an altitude gourmet restaurant, open year round. Access is by cable car from La Mongie, near Tourmalet Pass.

The Pic du Midi de Bigorre has been listed since 2003 as a national natural site for the beauty of its scenery. From the summit you can see the entire Pyrenean mountain chain, the plains of southern France and the first foothills of the Massif Central. The horizon gives you an unhindered views of more than 300 kilometres of Pyrenean summits. A panorama you can enjoy from the 600 m² terrace

Col de Peyresourde

Ever dreamed of riding a Tour de France stage along roads filled with spectators and raise your arms to the sky as you cross the finish-line? Today is the day it comes true!

Those who wish to ride on this trip will be able to ride up to 130km today. If ever there was an opportunity to ride almost an entire mountain stage on the same day as the pros, this would be it, as it is "medium" mountain and the total stage is "only" 166km!

Of course, we will be dropping off a bit further down the way those who wish to keep the ride distance lower. Custom Getaways vehicle(s) with on-course accreditation will be accompanying you and providing an extra lift if necessary, and an official Tour de France vehicle will escort us over the final few kms of the course and you will cross the finish line on closed roads.

You will then climb the official Tour podium to have your picture taken.

Those not riding will be driven over the final kms, will enjoy the excitement of the climb, climb the podium, etc.

For the peloton's arrival, we will be directly overlooking the finish line to see how the pros stack up as we will have special access to the "Bulle Mangeas". Daniel Mangeas is the French commentator for the Tour de France ("La voix du Tour").

Once the stage is over we will make our way to Toulouse for a final evening and celebratory dinner!

Col de la Crouzette

Col de Portel

- July 17th -

Departure and transfer to Toulouse airport!