This
trip is meant to jump start the cycling season. Of course;
this is Costa Rica, and it can just as well be a nice week
long getaway! We will be spending the entire week at a
beachside resort with morning rides ranging from 2 to 5
hours and difficulty level increasing as we get further
into the week. The hardest rides will include steep
gradients and while this is still not the Alps or the
Pyrenees, we still recommend a 39 X 25 and since the
season is still early a 37 X 27 won't be out of the
question either.
The Cape Argus Pick'n Pay Cycle Tour is an
extraordinary event. The road is completely closed to
traffic. The circuit first of all uses 25 kilometres of
motorway, before running along the Atlantic Ocean towards
the Cape of Good Hope then coming back to the centre of
Cape Town. Riding together with more than 40,000
participants is a really unique experience that one must
experience to truly appreciate it.
The Tour of Flanders is without doubt one of the biggest
sporting events in Belgium. The day before the
professional event, every amateur cyclist can also
experience the special atmosphere of this legendary race.
The ultimate challenge is to ride the 257 km that the
professionals will follow the next day. However, the 140
and 74 km circuits will already give everyone the chance
to put their calf muscles to this arduous test. With a
very hilly profile, the Tour of Flanders is also open to
Mountain Bikers. The 25,50 and 75 km circuits have been
planned out by specialists and fully meet the expectations
of all bikers, whatever their level.
Triathlon and Cycling
camps are located in the Costa Brava region of Spain which
offers great weather, beautiful scenery, terrific training
conditions and opportunities to visit and relax: a perfect
combination!
The Tour version Amstel Gold Race is the largest cycling
event in The Netherlands taking place the day before
professionals ride the Amstel Gold Race. Six different
distances make it possible for every cyclist to face their
greatest contest. Unique about this race is the beautiful
setting; Limburg is a paradise for the cycling enthusiast.
The rural environment, the often very steep, short rises
and the great differences in altitude within just a few
km, make the Limburg hills a real challenge
We
have setup two trips, which will allow you to experience
all the race action live from the best viewing places over
the final half of the Giro. As expected, climbers will be
favored to win the Maglia Rosa.
Very nice
and challenging race. Mont Ventoux of course, almost
twice... the second time, you stop at Chalet Reynard and
head back down. 3 distances from 75km to 170km and up to
3500m (11,500'). Another great event of cycling. This trip
includes the climb of Mont Ventoux the next day (rested).
21km straight up hill.
It is
hard to find such a unanimously acclaimed Cyclo. This in
only the 3rd edition yet the word is out... it is the next
big one. The Organization is second to none and Time is a
great sponsor of the event. 3 distances from 80km to 150km
and elevation up to 3535m (11,600'). This is a perfect
preparatory race for a July big event (Etape du Tour,
Maratona dles Dolomites or Marmotte for example).
The trip consists on riding nearly the entire Tour. There
will be slight modifications as required for safety
reasons. Most notably, large Urban areas which are simply
too congested to ride safely may be avoided. Other than
that, you will be riding the same stages daily and we will
provide support on these rides. The number of participants
is purposely limited to keep things manageable. The most
grueling mountain stages may be split in two ride days. 24
days and up to 3547km (2217 miles)
An
incredible road deserved an incredible trip. We are happy
to offer the Route des Grandes Alpes again in 2007! From
660km (412miles) and up to 865km (540miles) will link Lake
Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea. On the way, the bigger
part of the Alps. This trip crosses the French Alps from
North to South. From the banks of Lake Geneva to the
Mediterranean Sea. Along the way... many of the climbs you
have come used to knowing by name; Col des Aravis, Cormet
de Roselend, col de l'Iseran, col du Telegraphe, col du
Galibier, col du Lautaret, Alpe d'Huez, col d'Izoard and
many more.
June
17th, 2006 - Quebrantahuesos (****) - UCI Golden Bike event
- Official Tour Operator
“La Magia del Pirineo” Since the beginning of this
adventure, we, the people of Quebrantahuesos, have tried
to remain faithful to a certain way of acting, based on
these four principles: respect of the environment,
continual innovation, attention to participants’ requests
and the quality and safety of the circuit. The wonderful
scenery of the colossal Pyrenees like the Marie-Blanque
pass and the hospitality of volunteers are some of the
elements which give Quebrantahuesos a special charm, which
will most certainly appeal to participants. This race will
be part of our ride Across the Pyrenees trip.
At the crossing of the Ariège valleys, the cyclosportive «
l’Ariégeoise » proposes a course essentially in a mountain
area. In 2006, the riders will cross 4 mountain passes :
the Port de Lers (1517 m), the Agnes Pass (1570 m), the
Latrape Pass (1111 m), and the Port Pass (1249 m).
L’ARIEGEOISE… you have to earn it !!!
Quite
possibly THE major event in Italy, it's success
parallels that of the Etape du Tour. Just as for the
Etape, the race is limited to 9000 participants and
there will be twice as many turned down. 3 Distances
from 55km to 138km and up to 4190m (13,750') in
elevation gain
The
largest, most important cycling race on the calendar
and the largest annual sporting event in the World. As
Official Tour Operator we are in a position to offer
many different trips to suit everyone. Can't find
something you like; we also design custom trips. Our
VIP Premium and VIP Access trips also offer a behind
the scene experience unheard of.
An
epic itinerary. Leaving from Bourg d'Oisans, the ride
takes you over, the col del a Croix de Fer, Telegraph,
Galibier and Alpe d'Huez to polish things off. 175km
and 5000m of elevation gain (16,400'). This is one of
the big events of the season and one that you must
ride at some time or another.
What's to say that hasn't been said already. The race
that everyone wants to be a part of. It is necessary
to sign up very early (we have registrations for 2008
already). The race goes over one of the mountain
stages of the same years' Tour de France.
The stage chosen in 2007 will be the grueling stage
#15, linking Foix to Loudenvielle! This challenging
"Etape" will feature a new climb to the Tour; the Port
de Bales! Until a few weeks ago there was no road
linking the port de Bales and the col de Peyresourde
and one was just poured for the 2007 Tour. All of our
trips include guaranteed entries and accompanying
spouses and other non-participants are catered to as
well.
August 2007
July
29th
to August 5th, 2007 - Climbs of the Pyrenees (*** to ****)
This
trip takes place in just one hotel so no need to pack and
unpack. Most rides start and end at the hotel. 1 week of
pure riding joy.
August 20th to August 24th, 2007 - Paris Brest Paris
(****)
It's
2007 which means this is a Paris-Brest-Paris year. While
we cannot get you into the event we have setup a support
trip to assist those participating.
August
26th, 2006 - the Pascal Richard (**) -
UCI Golden Bike event -
Official Tour Operator
The Pascal Richard is supposed to be a meeting
of friends of cycling. As proof of that the number of
participants taking part is increasing year by year. The
Pascal Richard is also a big cycling party, for 4 to 77
year olds which everyone can enjoy. For the fittest ones,
the wonderful panorama which can be seen on the Sunday
race, including Gruyères, Château d'Oex, les Diablerets,
Gstaad and the mythical Jaun pass, will leave each and
everyone with wonderful memories. The more relaxed
participants will experience a warm atmosphere on the 45
km circuit, without any real difficulties, which has a
magnificent panorama and goes around Gruyères Lake.
Whatever category, the Pascal Richard event will take you
into another world. In a nutshell, plenty of reasons not
to miss this opportunity to visit Bulle, the land of
cheese.
September 2007
September 2nd, 2007 - l'Alpigap (***)
You'll
have guessed by its name where the race takes place, and
flat terrain can't be much expected in the area. 3
distances of 75km to 160km and elevation gains of up to
3300m (10,825'). This race is very well organized and one
of the final good opportunities to ride the big mountains
for the season.
September
9th, 2007 - les Routes du Ventoux (***)
Another
Cyclo + climb of Ventoux on a second day. The Cyclo offers
101km and 150km and positive elevations gains of up to
2950m (9,680'). The race goes up Mont ventoux as the name
indicates. On the day before the race, there is a time
trial up Mont Ventoux as well.
September 21st, 2007 - Riederman (**) -
UCI Golden Bike event -
Official Tour Operator
The Rothaus RiderMan is a road cycling event
for all, which is taking place in Bad Dürrheim – Black
Forest / Germany for non professionals. It offers its
participants a time trial (20,4 km), a road race with
options to ride 1-6 laps (25-150 km) and a kids race. With
roads completely closed and an individual time keeping the
Rothaus RiderMan is also accompanied by a cycling trade
fair, a Pasta Party, an awards ceremony and lots of
entertainment.
This
new Cyclosport is put together by the same people who
organize the Etape du Tour, and will certainly be another
big hit!
While
the Etape du Tour goes over a stage of the current year
Tour de France, this new annual event will go over a
memorable one of a past Tour. For its first edition, the
Etape de Legende will cover the 1967 stage Strasbourg -
Ballon d'Alsace
September 26th to September 30th 2007 - World
Championships in Stuttgart.
We are
offering trips to the World Championships as part of our
Etape de Legende trips.
A Cyclo Sportive (aka "Cyclo")
is a timed mass cycling events. Being timed these events naturally turn
into semi-competitive races.
The most famous of the events
is the Etape du Tour. Organized yearly by ASO (the Organizers of the
Tour de France), this Cyclo takes place over a stage of the current year
Tour de France, just a few days before the Pros.
These events are growing in
popularity and we have positioned ourselves to be among the leaders if not
THE leader is this field of travel. Our efforts have lead us to associate
with:
- ASO for the Etape du Tour
(we are official partners on this famous event)
- The UCI on their 8 Golden
Bike events
- The Maratona dles Dolomites
Challenges which regroup
several of these races also add to the experience by offering a ranking
best on performance on these races - an Amateur version of the Pro
rankings if you will - The UCI Golden Bike is the largest. 78,000 cyclists
take part in the 8 events combined.
(*) = easy
(**) = average
(***) = difficult
(****) = very difficult
If your big cycling challenge
comes in July, and is one of the big mountain races, it is highly advised
to participate in a prior event. Specialized magazines will actually
recommend participating in 2 to 3 events a month in the months leading to
your goal race. While this might be a bit extreme and geared toward the
"very-serious" enthusiast (ok... half-pro!), participating in a few events
prior to "the big one" is a good idea. You will be able to familiarize
yourself with race conditions ; your Sunday ride probably doesn't include
several thousand participants and experience in riding in such a large
group will certainly be beneficial. If you would like us to help choosing
your goal-race and preparation races, we will be happy to do so.
