In 1996, the world was first introduced to Velo Echappe' in the March issue of Bicycling Magazine when they wrote an article about our "Spring Classics Hell of the North" cycling vacation, the first of it's kind. Since then, we've appeared and been featured in Bicycling Magazine four additional times where our programs appeared on the cover and were listed as "one of the 50 best trips on our planet" and awarded the coveted Editor's Choice. Also, beginning in 1998, we enjoyed the unique privilege of partnering annually with Performance Bicycles, America's largest cycling retailer, on the largest national Tour de France Sweepstakes in the United States that ran consecutively for the next 9 years! Because of the world-class quality of our Tour de France vacations, we were the only company to hold this unique postion!

In addition, back in 1997, Velo Echappe' started the “fantasy” trend of featuring the world's greatest cycling and triathlon legends” full-time on our vacations. When we select a "Legend" to feature on our programs, we don't pick athletes who are simply making the "rounds" with various companies but rather those "Legends" who have transcended their sport. Since then, we have been privileged to have featured the following personalities and/or organizations on our programs:

• Eddy Merckx - the "Greatest Cyclist of all-time!"
• Lance Armstrong Foundation (now Livestrong) - 7-time Tour de France Champion and former World Champion.
• Phil Anderson - 14 year Tour de France veteran and first Australian rider to wear the Yellow Jersey.
• Sean Kelly - "King of the Classics" and World's #1 from 1983 - 1988 (seen above winning the 1984 Paris-Roubaix).
• Mark Allen - 6-time Ironman World Champion and 10-time Nice Long Distance World Champion.
• Dave Scott - First 6-time Ironman World Champion and first inductee into the Triathlon Hall of Fame.
  
  

Because of the originality and quality of our cycling promotions and vacations, we've also been featured on www.lancearmstrong.com, SI.com, Performancebike.com, Active.com, MartinDugard.com, Nabisco Fig Newtons, The Versus Network (4 episodes), VeloNews (2 times), The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Seattle Times. In October 2005, our "Etape du Tour" cycling vacation was the subject of a 10-page feature/photo article by Bicycling Magazine's Executive Editor, Bill Strickland. Other highlights of our company history include being the first company to create a fund-raising cycling tour with the Lance Armstrong Foundation in the Texas Hill Country to raise money for cancer survivors (2001, 2002). However, the greatest recognition we've ever received was in December 2005 when we were selected after three rounds of interviews by the Amaury Sports Organization (ASO), the organizers of the Tour de France, to be one of only five companies worldwide to be awarded the distinguished honor of being selected as an "Officially Licensed Tour de France Company."

To live one’s cycling dream, it takes support of all kinds. From travel agents to mechanics, everything is key. As past guests will tell you, this is where we specialize on a very personal level as our staff takes very good care of each and every guest. The reason behind this is that our staff consists of former pro team bike mechanics, masseuses, and world-class athletes who understand and appreciate what the word “support” means. It’s because of their experience at the highest-level that ensures every vacation we do runs as smoothly as the leading cycling teams in the world. Our history as a pioneer and leader in the business proves it!