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RIDE THE ENTIRE TOUR
June 5th - June 27th, 2011
We have run this similar
trip in 2006, 2007 and 2009 and for the cycling enthusiast, it is an
experience second to none. In a nutshell; the trip consists on riding the entire Tour.
Slight modifications are made as required for
safety reasons. Most notably, large Urban areas which are simply too
congested to ride safely may be avoided, or multi-lane roads (which
won't be closed when we ride) are replaced with alternate itineraries.
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 6 participants to keep things manageable. A
second trip will run concurrent should the number of participants grow
past this limit. The most grueling
mountain stages may be split in two ride days.
You can expect beautiful
sites and scenery and great food, but the entire emphasis of the trip
is on the ride itself. This should be considered as a Challenge trip
more than a scenic or relaxing vacation. Hotels are mostly for one
nights, however whenever possible we have scheduled multiple night
stays.
Two staff members will
handle the logistics and will be on the bike to encourage you
and provide assistance if/when needed.
In 2007 and 2009, many city officials accepted to sign, have pictures
taken or otherwise recognize the efforts of our riders and we will be
contacting the cities to setup a similar personal log book which
you will keep as a precious witness to this great accomplishment.
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New in 2011;
Garmin Edge units
will be provided for the length of the trip.
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Please read below for:
daily itinerary -
what's included.
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ITINERARY
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RIDE THE ENTIRE TOUR 2011
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Rate: Discounted rate of $9995.00 if paid by check or
wire transfer. Regular rate is $10475
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23 nights, 24 days - June
4th to June
27th
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Pick-up in Nantes on June 4th / Drop-off in Paris CDG airport on June
27th
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Highlights: Ride the entire 2011 Tour |
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OPTIONS:
Trip insurance
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ITINERARY
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Date |
Day |
KMs |
Miles |
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1 |
4-Jun |
We will pick-up at Nantes TGV train station at 1pm and go
straight to our first hotel where bikes will be built up. We
won't waste much time as we will then ride the final 110km of
stage 1 and the 23km of the Team Time Trial. Night in
Bourgneuf en Retz |
135 |
84.4 |
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2 |
5-Jun |
Our timing is critical as we will ride over the passage du
Gois today and cycle the 80km of stage 1 we did not ride
yesterday. This will place us very near the start location of
stage 3 and we will ride the first 70km of that stage. Night
in Bourgneuf en Retz |
150 |
93.8 |
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3 |
6-Jun |
We are finishing stage 3 today. A slightly shorter distance as
the next few days will include some of the longer stages.
Night in Pontivy |
130 |
81.3 |
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4 |
7-Jun |
We will be riding stage 4 and get a head start on the lengthy
stage 5 by riding the initial 40km. Pontivy |
170 |
106.3 |
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5 |
8-Jun |
We will ride stage 5 entirely + the first 40km of stage 6 as
it is quite long and there is a fair distance to travel to get
to the start of stage 7. Near Mont St Michel |
200 |
125.0 |
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6 |
9-Jun |
Ride the remaining 186km of stage 6. Night in Lisieux |
185 |
115.6 |
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7 |
10-Jun |
We'll start the day with a transfer to LeMans and ride stage 7
entirely. This is the longest leg of the trip (in distance).
Night in Chateauroux |
215 |
134.4 |
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8 |
11-Jun |
Stage 8 is over 200km and ends with an uphill finish, so we'll
break this stage in 2 and ride the initial 150km today. Night
near Clermont Ferrand |
150 |
93.8 |
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9 |
12-Jun |
We'll finish stage 8 (58km) and will also ride the initial
60km of stage 9 which is another difficult +200km stage. Those
who wish to keep the total ride distance closer to the "real
deal" can also ride the 35km between the end of st. 8 and
start of st. 9. Night in St Flour |
155 |
96.9 |
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13-Jun |
with quite a few hills remaining on stage 9, finishing the
stage is "all" that we will attempt today. Night in St Flour |
150 |
93.8 |
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10 |
14-Jun |
Ride a rolling stage 10. Night in Toulouse |
160 |
100.0 |
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11 |
15-Jun |
ride stage 11. Night in Toulouse |
170 |
106.3 |
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12 |
16-Jun |
Stage 12 is broken into 2 distinct part. A longer portion to
get into the Pyrenees followed by 3 climbs including Tourmalet
and Luz Ardidens. We will ride the first portion of the stage
+ the initial climb (Hourquette). Evening will be the 1st of 3
nights in the same hotel at the base of the Tourmalet!!! |
160 |
100.0 |
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13 |
17-Jun |
A short but "hilly" ride as we cover the col du Tourmalet +
Luz Ardidens to finish stage 12 |
75 |
46.9 |
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14 |
18-Jun |
We are riding stage 13. Only one difficulty on the day but a
sizeable one; the col d'Aubisque |
156 |
97.5 |
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15 |
19-Jun |
One more stage in the Pyrenees before giving our legs a short
break from the climbing. We will ride stage 14 finishing on
the Plateau de Beille. Riding back down the from the final
climb will get us closer to the official total. Evening in
beautiful Carcassonne |
183 |
114.4 |
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20-Jun |
We'll get an early start to ride nearly all of stage 15. The
arrival on Montpellier is to congested to complete entire
stage, but we'll have "make up distance". Night in Poulzilhac |
190 |
118.8 |
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16 |
21-Jun |
Riding stage 16 today will take us into the Alps. No major
difficulties just yet, apart from an average climb before the
arrival in Gap. Night in Corps |
163 |
101.9 |
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17 |
22-Jun |
We will ride stage 17 into Italy today. Our only incursion
outside of France and will see our second pass at +2000m
elevation today as well. |
179 |
111.9 |
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18 |
23-Jun |
We've got a series of mountain stages to ccomplish and stage
18 requires breaking up the itinerary. We will ride the first
155km of the stage and visit the col Agnel - highest pass of
this trip at 2744m. Night in St Veran |
120 |
75.0 |
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19 |
24-Jun |
we are finishing stage 18 today. "Just" 90km, but 2 HC climbs
with the col d'Izoard and col du Galibier (via col du Lautaret).
You will also be able to add the 25km downhill to St Michel de
Maurienne to keep the total distance close to the Official
2011 TDF. Night in St Jean de Mauriennee |
115 |
71.9 |
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20 |
25-Jun |
Stage 19 is a "shorty but a goody". The 109km from Modane to
Alpe d'Huez include the col du Telegraphe, Galibier and
finally Alpe d'Huez. This realtively short distance will also
enable us to ride the 41km of the Final Time Trial around
Grenoble. We'll plan a late train to Paris to be on site to
ride the final leg tomorrow morning. Night in Paris |
150 |
93.8 |
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21 |
26-Jun |
We'll get up very eary sto start riding from Creteil at the
first signs of daylight. The ride will be a short 20km, but we
will be done in time to enjoy a copious breakfast. There will
be some time for a bit of R&R and visit of Paris, before a
farewell dinner together this evening. Night in Paris |
20 |
12.5 |
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TOTAL Distance |
3481 |
2176 |
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WHAT IS INCLUDED?
- Transportation throughout
- Hotel room based on double occupancy. Hotels are 2
and 3 stars with convenience being the priority after cleanliness and
private baths. Whenever possible (especially in the mountains) we use
hotels we visit regularly.
- All breakfasts at the hotels
- All but
four Dinners
- Use of Garmin Edge units with each stage mapped
out.
- Deluxe Minibus with a/c, ample room for luggage
and bikes
- Support vehicle with water and snacks
- Bi-lingual group Leader / Bike Guide
- Excellent support to guest ratio of about 1:3
- Tour de France Road Book (not available to the
general public) showing full details of stages, profiles etc etc
(print time may delay the attribution of the books to the end of the
Trip).
- Cycling Jerseys (2)
- Detailed cue
- Cards, directions, maps, profile of stages, daily.
- Great flexibility in accommodating the group
- A Log book with daily mileage, notes, etc and a
place for City/Town/Village officials to sign
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