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 "It's
the maddeningly best kept secret in cycling. You and I - with our
absolutely average VO2 maxes and recreational-rider-watt-per-pound
power ratios - can race the Tour de France. Just one stage, but
that's like an astronaut lamenting that he has walked on the moon
only a single time....It kicked my ass..and I loved it!"
- Bill Strickland, Executive Editor, Bicycling Magazine.
2005 Velo Echappe' Guest and Etape du Tour Finisher
Welcome to our 2010
L'Etape du Tour or "Stage of the Tour" cycling vacation
where you can live the dream of being a professional cyclist in
the Tour de France for one day! During the Etape, you'll
ride on closed roads through picturesque French villages in the
heart of the Pyrenees and over some of the Tour's greatest climbs
such as the Col du Tourmalet where you'll be cheered as though you
were wearing the Yellow Jersey. In addition to all the world-class
cycling, you'll refuel at official feed zones while Mavic provides
the on-road support. Finally, you'll feel the elation at the "Arrivee"
when you cross the finish line, knowing that you have lived the
ultimate cycling dream of having been a part of the Tour's great
history as a cyclist....and not a spectator!
For 2010, we are joining
hands with our Etape du Tour partners at HighGear Travel who, in
addition to being on our award-winning staff in past years, they
have been hosting trips to the Etape since 2001. Our vacation program
will be a Self-Guided Format, which allows for more independance
for each guest.
What's
Included for on our Velo Echappe' / High Gear Travel Self-Guided
Etape du Tour Program:
- Stay four nights at the 3-star Laurent Fignon Cycling
Center near Bagneres di Bigorre. This cycling hotel,
owned and operated by 2-time Tour de France Champion Laurent Fignon
(seen above in 1984) has all the amenities a cyclist could hope
for - a relaxing hotel, cycling specific restaurant, bike workshop,
and more! In addition, all rooms have air conditioning. Space
is limited so please reserve your space as soon as possible.
- Guaranteed Etape du Tour Entry.
- 2 private feed zones in addition to the three official
feed zones along the course.
- Breakfast and Dinner daily.
- On-site mechanics and on-site bilingual staff (French and English)
that have over 8 years of riding the Etape du Tour and are annually
among the top finishers.
- Etape du Tour Caravaning and Registration Assistance in Pau.
- Coach transfer to "Grand Depart" on the day of the
Etape du Tour.
- Etape du Tour training and preparation guide prepared by USA
Cycling Certified Coach and 7-time Etape du Tour finisher, Kent
McNeill, who was one of the top American finishers in 2009.
- Pre-Etape logistics package with detailed route descriptions,
pre-Etape ride info, packing list, etc.
What's not included:
- Airfare to / from France
- Rental Car, other ground transport
- Lunches
- Drinks with meals and other hotel incidentals (phone, laundry,
room service, etc.)
Read
the National Stories from past Velo Echappe' Etape du Tour VIP's:
Since we started hosting
the Etape du Tour event five year's ago, no one else in the business
has received as much international press as Velo Echappe'. We're
very grateful for this and we would like to share the personal accounts
below from past VIP guests who have successfully made the pilgrimage
to the Etape. It will give you a good idea of what's in store.
After reading these first-hand
accounts, you will realize that the Etape du Tour is nothing
like a Century ride near your home. This is one day inside the biggest
and baddest bike race on the planet with all of it's beauty and
severity...and when you finish, you will have a new legend to call
your own!
For
the Record:
Over the past four years,
here is the percent of our guests who have finished the Etape
du Tour by following our training program and trip schedules:
- 2005 - 100%
- 2006 - 25% (main reason for low completion
rate was due to official feed zones running out of water early
on when the temperature exceeded 95 degrees in the Alps)
- 2007 - 99%
- 2008 - 99%
- 2009 - 82%
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