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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 November 2008,
we were awarded the coveted Editor's Choice
from Bicycling Magazine for our "France's
Pro Tour" programs.
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."
(Note: Following the 2006 season, we did not renew this
license due to the Floyd Landis and Puerto doping scandals).
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!
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