Since we began 12 years ago, we've had
the privilege of hosting some incredible people and athletes from
all walks of life We would like to share some of their feedback
with you:
"By
the time you read this, we should already be in Paris. We
cannot believe that we have won such a great prize for which
you have been so generous to offer. Tomorrow will be our 10th
Anniversary. What a way for us to celebrate! Again, thank
you so very much for offering such a great sweepstakes. We
will never forget how you have changed our lives. I
wish much health and happiness to you and greater success
for your wonderful company!"
Liz and Bill Bradley,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
2007 Tour de France
Paris Weekend Sweepstakes Winners |
"This
was the most memorable vacation I've ever had and the memories
keep on coming!"
Jeff Root, Berkeley,
California
2006 Etape du Tour
/ Alps to Provence Guest |
"Velo
Echappe' went over the top with their VIP Tour de France trip.
From the moment I was picked-up in Avignon to the final days
in Annecy, it was simply the best vacation I have ever had!...
However, the friendships you make with everybody are the finest
part. You learn about the human spirit and what pushes all
the different people who do this. If you get the chance to
do the VIP tour with Velo Echappe', do it! WOW!!!"
John Grimenstein,
Fair Oaks, California
2006 VIP Tour de
France Guest |
"Wow,
what another truly amazing week!!!"
Dick and Connie
Stewart, Castle Rock, Colorado
2-time Guests
2007 Pyrenees to Paris / 2006 Etape
du Tour Finisher |
| "Many
thanks for a fabulous time in Italy! The Dolomite area is
spectacular and we so enjoyed the scenery and the wonderful
cycling. What a special place that is! We appreciate all that
you did - and will cherish the memories from an unforgettable
week. We had a great time hanging out with you guys!"
Mike and Amy Rosenbaum, Golden, Colorado
2- time Guests
2007 Dolomites / Maratona and 2004
Tour de France Pyrenees |
| "Your
in-depth planning paved the way for great roads, scenic terrain,
and a unique exposure to the Tour. The small group allowed
each of us to get to know each other and develop true friendships. Your
choice of hotels, chateaus, TGV transportation, and meals
exceeded my expectations. My first reply to those that have
asked about my trip is "I'm going again!"
Dr. Bill Dery, Midlands,
Michigan
2007 Pyrenees to
Paris |
"Once again
a great job by you and the entire Velo Echappe team! Everything
was superbly organized and executed from the hotel to the
transportation. I especially appreciated the private rest
stops which helped me achieve by far my best Etape result
out of my three tries. More importantly I was, once again,
very impressed with the attitude and spirit of your crew
which made the whole experience that much more special.I
look forward to participating in another Velo Echappe event
again in the near future. Please feel free to use my comments
in any of your promotional materials. After three years,
I know how good and consistent you are."
Chris Duffy, New
York City and Tokyo, Japan
3- time Guest
2005, 2006, 2007
Etape du Tour and Finisher
|
| "It
was truly a magical trip. A 50 year old fantasy come true!
Plus, it was even better than the fantasy ever was!"
Robert Lamar, San
Francisco, California
2006 VIP Tour de France Guest |
| "I
just wanted to send you a quick thank you note for the wonderful
Paris trip. We really enjoyed the first class accommodations,
the Velo Echappe team and the rest of the cycling enthusiasts."
Ray Jebsen, Chicago,
Illinois
2006 Paris Tour
de France Weekend Guest
|
| "I wanted
to let you know how much I enjoyed the Etape Du Tour and what
an unforgettable experience it was! Velo Echappe put on a fantastic
tour with excellent accommodations. With Velo Echappe taking
care of all the arrangements, transfers, etc. it was easy to
relax and enjoy the French countryside.I would also like to
thank all the staff who were all helpful, friendly and made
the trip so enjoyable. I have traveled quite extensively, and
I must say that this trip was certainly one of the finest I
have experienced. Thank you again!" Andrew
Salas, San Clemente, California
2-time guest
2006 and 2007 Etape
du Tour
|
| Mary
Anne and I want to thank you for a great trip! You and your
team were excellent and made us very comfortable right from
the start. Your organization and attention to details were
fantastic. Mary Anne is an event producer / meeting planner
of 23+ years, and she knows how tough the job can be. It's
obvious you know your stuff! Thanks again for a lifetime experience!"
Kevin and Mary Anne
Hays, Cambridge, Massachusetts
2-time Guests
2006 and 2007 Etape du Tour |
"I
thought the trip was spectacular and now aspire to do a European
ride each year. Life is too short not to. Thanks
for the experience."
Rick Sanders, Omaha,
Nebraska
2006 Etape du Tour
/ Alps to Provence Guest
|
| "Velo
Echappe' did an outstanding job of providing me and the other
folks on our tour with an unforgettable "Up Close and
Personal" Tour de France experience. Thanks especially
to Brian Rounds and his staff for making our trip so enjoyable.
From the moment they arrived to pick us up at the train station
in the Velo Echappe' tour bus until the time they dropped
us back off at the conclusion of the tour, we truly felt as
though we were in the friendly hands of seasoned professionals!
Thanks for the experience of a lifetime!"
Jason Danner, Wilmington,
Delaware
2006 VIP Tour de France Guest |
| "This
was an experience of a lifetime for me...as an avid TdF junkie,
I will remember the ride (and suffering) for a lifetime.
The staff at Velo Echappe made the trip...I can not imagine
finding a group of more caring individuals committed to the
folks on the trip. See you next year!"
Bill and Joan Rieders,
Wellesley, Massachusetts
2-time Guests
2006 and 2007 Etape
du Tour |
| "The
Velo Echappe staff was fantastic - from airport pickup to
dropoff. I felt like I was a guest in my best friend's
house. The staff was cordial, helpful, friendly, funny, and
was willing to do whatever it took to ensure everyone had
a great vacation. Having traveled extensively with an
opportunity to do a lot of different things, I could not give
a higher rating."
Chris Winalski,
Greenwich, Connecticut
2006 Etape du Tour |
| "I
would definitely travel with you again and I definitely got
my money's worth! It was a dream trip for me!"
Steve Hunt, Salt
Lake City, Utah
2006 Etape du Tour
/ Alps to Provence Guest |
| "Brian
at Velo Echappe' has taken the time to find places to ride
in France so special that even the French don't know them.
Its less like a tour and more like riding with a dozen of
your best friends."
Spencer Aronfeld,
Coral Gables, Florida
2006 Etape du Tour
/ Alps to Provence Guest |
"You and your
group had an amazing impact on me that will live with me
forever! I will forever be indebted to Velo Echappe', and
most of all to Brian, for your great efforts that I will
never forget!"
Glenn P. Christiansen,
Oklahoma
2006 VIP Tour
de France Guest
|
| L'Etape
du Tour was truly the ride of a lifetime and would never have
been possible without Velo Echappe's help, assistance
and guidance throughout. Thank you to the entire Velo Echappe
staff -- you have made me into a "real" cyclist!! Overall
great job... thank you for making my summer of 2006!
Perry Karsen. Summit,
New Jersey
2006 Etape du Tour
Guest |
| "I've
told my family and friends that participating in L'Etape was a
lifetime experience. I want to thank Velo Echappe for
the opportunity and your contributions to this very memorable
experience. I don't know if I will ever have the opportunity
to do another L'Etape. However, there is absolutely no question
that I would like to return to France to ride more of the
famous Tour routes and climbs and I would definitely do it
with Velo Echappe again."
Tom Gilmore, Knoxville,
Tennesee
2006 Etape du Tour
Guest |
"Trip was fantastic! It's definitely
in my all-time top 5. Thanks for everything."
Bill Strickland, Editor-in-Chief, Bicycling Magazine,
Emmaus, Pennsylvania
2005 Etape du Tour and Tour des Pyrenees Guest |
"Just wanted to send a very belated--but
extremely heartfelt--THANKS for a wonderful Etape and Pyrenees
climbing adventure. Bill and I had an incredible time, and
are still blabbing and bragging about it to everyone we meet.
Our week with you guys was truly a dream for us. To be able
to ride up Luz Ardiden, Tourmalet, Hautacam, Aubisque, etc.
was an incredible thrill. And riding a stage of the Tour is
something I truly believe EVERY cycling enthusiast should
do; it really gives you a sense of what the Tour can be like."
Beth Strickland - Emmaus, Pennsylvania
2005 Etape du Tour and Tour des Pyrenees Guest |
"First of all thanks for a great
trip. It was a dream come true for me to do a stage of the
tour! I have been in love with the tour since I was a boy,
so it was quite a special day. Your team was so helpful and
really made us feel like part of the Velo Echappe' family!"
Charles Alger - Surrey, United Kingdom
2005 Etape du Tour Guest |
"As a first time doing the Etape,
the experience was fantastic - from my arrival at the hotel
to my departure a few days later, I found the staff helpful
and friendly. This added to my overall experience and enjoyment
of the trip. Thanks again!"
Stephen Cox - Whitechurch, Cardiff, UK
2005 Etape du Tour Guest |
"I rate Velo Echappe' highly across
all categories. Really was an amazing trip, very well organized,
and properly staffed with friendly, knowledgeable individuals.
Your team did a great job....also adds to the memory that
our entire team finished the race! Hope to participate again."
Brett Tejpaul - London, England
2005 Etape du Tour Guest |
"This was the best vacation I have
ever had that did not involve my wife or family. It was an
experience of a lifetime. I would use Velo Echappe again without
reservation. Thanks again for an unforgettable experience.
Mike Grant - Marshfield, Wisconsin
2005 Pyrenees to Paris Guest |
"Thanks! I thoroughly
enjoyed the experience. The trip was more demanding
physically than I had expected. I had told my wife before
I went that I wanted to do a trip like this before I got too
old. When I got home I told her I had done the trip
in the nick of time. I certainly would do the trip
with Velo Echappe if I ever do such a trip again.
I have already recommended you to several of my cycling friends."
Jim Curtis - El Paso, Texas
2005 Pyrenees to Paris Guest |
"As a UK-based Etape entrant, registering
via Velo Echappe in the US, you would have thought that the
process would be complex and time consuming. However, the
Velo Echappe team in the US were exceptionally efficient.
Responses to questions were always courteous and timely, and
I was always kept up to date with the necessary information
needed to make the trip a great success"
Simon Glassman - London, England
2005 Etape du Tour Guest |
"Thanks for the great experience!
I will remember it for life!"
Dan Sheldon - Bend, Oregon
2005 Etape du Tour and Pyrenees to Paris Guest |
"With out a doubt , I would have to
say that the whole process was wonderful. From the
get go, the information, registration and over all communication
was easy to follow, straight forward, and timely. Though
I and my traveling buddies were only with you folks for the
three day self-guided tour , I can confidently say that the
experience was great! Ken, Lance and Lisa were great hosts
. They made sure that everyone was as informed to the
best of their ability, their personalities complimented not
only Velo Echappe' and High Gear but the trip as a whole.
My over all experience was a 10! Great job!"
Bob Rose - Boston, Massachusetts
2005 Etape du Tour Guest |
"I thoroughly enjoyed the trip,
especially the riding, the two major climbs of Mont Ventoux
and L'Alpe d'Huez, and most of all, the fine day you set up
on Ax 3 Domaines where we had a perfect place to see Armstrong,
Basso and Ulrich go up the climb. Never having been
to the Tour before, this one day was enough to make the whole
trip. Everything else was a bonus."
Sandy Atkinson - Toronto, Canada
2005 Pyrenees to Paris Guest |
"I wish I had you guys on all my rides...Thanks
again!"
John Platero - Ventura, California
2005 Etape du Tour and Pyrenees to Paris Guest |
"Thanks for the great trip! I
haven't yet returned to normal levels of adrenaline!"
Pete Stock - London, England
2005 Etape du Tour Guest |
"Thanks! It was a blast! I would definitely
use Velo Echappe' again!"
Henry Weisburg - New York, New York
2005 Etape du Tour Guest |
"Very good mechanical support...Velo
Echappe' is my choice"
Thomas Hardy - London, England
2005 Etape du Tour Guest |
"It was a superb trip, exactly what
I was looking for. You and the "boys" did such a
terrific job that despite the fact that I hadn't slept for
10 days and had ridden three times the distance I normally
do in a week in twice the humidity, I was genuinely sorry
to see it come to an end. The only thing lacking was a lap
or two up the Champs Elysees in advance of the peloton; with
that you might have achieved perfection."
Chris Powers - El Paso, Texas
2005 Pyrenees to Paris Guest |
| Thanks for a great and
memorable trip! I thought everything was very well organized
and executed and your people were fantastic. My only regret
is that I didn't stay for the rest of the week to ride up
some of those other cols."
Chris Duffy - New York, New York
2005 Etape du Tour Guest |
"While still in France, I called my
wife to get her blessing to go back in 2006. The Etape
was one of the most fun things I have ever done; parts
of the ride were grueling, but I know I had a big smile on
my face the whole time. The rest of the trip was fun
as well, and the Velo Echappe' staff and their camaraderie
contributed greatly to this enjoyment."
Steve Klosiewski - Anchorage, Alaska
2005 Etape du Tour Guest |
"Our trip with Velo Echappe to follow
the third week of the 2004 Tour de France was the best vacation
of our lives! The company and staff delivered everything as
promised. The rides were beautiful and well supported. Each
day was so well organized, including managing around the logistics
of the Tour, that we were continually having fun riding our
bikes, watching the races, meeting our fellow tour participants,
enjoying good food or taking in the sights. Thank you for a
wonderful adventure!"
Amy & Richard Wharton - Dallas, Texas
2004 Tour de France guest |
"The entire experience met and exceeded
all of our expectations! Your staff was so upbeat and helpful.
From the first night we met everyone in Toulouse, we knew we
would be well taken care of! I don't think my bike has EVER
run as smoothly as after being reassembled by Velo Echappe mechanics!!
I wish they were my mechanics year-round! The routes and climbs
we did were outstanding! You can't beat the Pyrenees for beautiful
French countryside! Our accommodations and meals were terrific.
It was just the vacation of a lifetime! Many thanks!"
Don, Carol and Meghan Welsh - Portsmouth, New Hampshire
2004 Tour de France guest |
"Thanks for a great trip. It was
all I had anticipated and more! Thanks for the great cycling
experience!"
Roger Epstein - New Castle, New Hampshire
2004 Tour de France guest |
"I wanted a trip that would allow me
to do other rides and not just follow every day of this year's
Tour de France. Velo Echappe' offered all that I wanted and
more. Superb planning and logistics, excellent support during
our long rides, and a staff that is fun and client-oriented...these
are the things that separate Velo Echappe' from other companies.
Thanks for a trip that I'll never forget! "
Bert Clark-Atlanta, Georgia
2004 Tour de France guest |
"I wanted to say how impressed we
were with your organization this year, and especially with the
quality of the staff you assembled. There was not a bad apple
in the bunch; in fact all were exceptional individuals which
is incredibly rare....the difference is in the attention you
and your staff pay to treating clients right. I have already
recommended your web site to others here who have heard my review,
and I suspect you will never have trouble filling slots in your
trips because of your efforts. I for one will ride with you
any time, pardner! You just keep finding these great places
to go, and I'll keep signing up..."
Rick Chandler - East Falmouth, Massachusetts
3-time guest of Velo Echappe' |
"Velo Echappe' is a professionally run
company with an emphasis on customer satisfaction. You will
come home with lifetime memories and unforgettable experiences,
not to mention the friendships that you'll forge riding some
of the most famous, scenic and demanding mountain stages of
the Tour de France."
Mike Slack - Austin, Texas
2004 Tour de France guest |
"The best vacation we've ever had!
A perfect way to see the Tour live and
ride the legendary climbs. It was enjoyed by both the riders
and
non-riders in our group. Thanks to all the staff at Velo Echappe
for a
trip we will never forget."
Greg and Molly Farrar- Columbia, Tennessee
2004 Tour de France guest |
"Again, thanks for so much...your
gang is remarkable in their devotion and
willingness to please...you don't see that very often today...please
let
them know how much I enjoyed their friendship and help....take
care
Amigo..you guys made my trip of a lifetime incredible, the
memories will last forever."
Doug Remington - Los Angeles, California
2004 Tour de France guest |
"Once again, thanks for a wonderful
summer vacation at Le Tour! I was able to reach some of my cycling
goals, meet some awesome people and relax in luxury. Thanks
for the amazing rooms. I'm already looking ahead to my next
adventure."
Eddie Church - Austin, Texas
2003 & 2004 Tour de France guest |
"Can't say enough good things about
the management and staff of Velo Echappe for the Les Alpes
Tour TDF03. The transportation, hotels, bike maintenance support,
water when you need it, directions, timing, and coordination
made this trip a once in a lifetime experience. I feel very
lucky to have picked Velo Echappe when I made the decision
to watch Lance go for 5."
Mark Armstrong
2003 Tour de France guest |
"We have spent many years traveling
through Europe, but our week spent with you, your staff, and
the other guests ranks as one of our best. One of the features
that we enjoyed the most is that there was something coordinated
for both riders and non-riders for every day of the tour. Thanks
again for a truly outstanding trip and we wish you success in
the future."
- David and Cher Poehlein - El Paso, Texas
2003 Tour de France guest |
"Congratulations for a job well done.
You really kept us going with a great itinerary of well-orchestrated
activities and places to be from Lourdes to the Pyrenees. We'd
recommend Velo Echappe to anyone who wants to see the Tour and
do some riding.
Howard and Katrina Dolinsky - Los Angeles, Califoria
2003 Tour de France guest |
"I can't thank you enough for the
time of my life. I was completely serious that my expectations
were met and exceeded...I am still on cloud 9 and have told
every one I know it was "THE GREATEST TRIP OF MY LIFE".
You gotta love riding and people and seeing the tour and I love
them all! Your staff was another awesome aspect of the tour
too. What a great group of people and so helpful, friendly and
ready for action they all were! They made each days' events
fun and exciting and yet were always ready to do their job of
loading and lugging our bikes, loading and unloading our luggage
and answering the same questions over and over by all of us
with a smile and a warm answer like it was the first time the
question had been asked!"
Rosey Murphy-Carbondale, Colorado
2003 Tour de France guest |
