1. When does my VIP Etape du Tour Alps and L'Alpe d'Huez Vacation begin?

Your VIP Etape du Tour Alps Cycling Vacation will begin when we meet you at the Geneva International Airport on July 6th before 12 noon. From here, we will transfer you to our VIP hotel in the center of Albertville, the host city for the 2012 Etape du Tour.

AAA Travel Assistance: If you need any assistance with purchasing transatlantic airline tickets, train tickets, personal rental car, or additional nights at hotels, please contact our AAA Travel Rep , Shelley Lulow, at slulow@aaane.com or by calling 1.800.854.5044 ext. 272 on Monday - Thursday from 12 noon - 6 pm CST. Thanks!

2. How do I prepare for the Etape du Tour?
The old-school answer from Euro veterans who still wear wool tights and detest hard shell helmets is "Ride, ride, ride your bike." The new-school answer is to prepare for the ride of your life and, if you need a coach, get one to help you out as the expense and guidance will be worth it. If you don't want to go that route, please note that we will send you a mileage-based training program in December / January that has worked for many clients in the past. Whatever option you choose, you will want to come prepared.

3. What kind of bike should I bring and what gears should I plan on using?
As regards gearing, unless you are a Category I or II rider, put a triple on the front and we also recommend that you have a minimum of a 27 - 29 gear on the rear and don't be afraid to put a 31 or 32-tooth cog on the back. The reason for this is that the climbs in France are steep and long, particularly the Col de la Madeleine and the Col de la Croix de Fer! Again, this won't be like a nice Century ride here in the States. You are going to want every possible gear imaginable to help you get up the climbs. Our advice is to put a granny gear on the rear cassette (depending on your fitness) and then add one more. Believe us, you will use it!

To quote Bill Strickland, the Executive Editor of Bicycling Magazine, who joined us in July 2005: " Take a triple or compact-chainring bike, and go big with the cassette. Euro roads are rough." And whatever you do, don't let your local bike mechanic talk you out of putting a triple or a compact on your bike for reasons of ego. As you'll find out on the first climb, your pride won't help your legs spin up a climb.

4. Do you provide full sag support on the vacation?
Yes, we will provide full sag support during your entire vacation. For the days preceding the Etape du Tour, our vans will be stationed at key turns on the cycling routes and will be stocked with bottled water, French pastries, fruit, and cookies. Each day's itinerary and the location of the sag support vans will be discussed each prior evening during a brief group meeting before dinner.

For the Etape du Tour, we will be providing two private feed zones in addition to the three that the organizers provide. Please bring your own drink powders, energy bars, gels, and salts with you. You will be able to access them at our private feed stops. Come fully prepared with your nutrition and plan to succeed!

5. What kind of weather should we expect in the French Alps in July?
You will want to be prepared for everything - sun, rain, hot, cold, and even snow. Last year, it snowed atop the Col de Galibier two days before the France Pro Tour came through and, fortunately, it wasn't on the day of the Etape or the Race. However, it can happen. You will definitely want to come prepared for all seasons!

6. What is included in my package for the Etape du Tour?

• Guaranteed Etape du Tour Entry.
• 2 private feed zones on the day of the Etape along with the three official feed zones.
• Accommodations and breakfast in Velo Echappe' selected properties.
• All transfers.
• All breakfasts and group dinners as outlined on the itinerary.
• All gratuities, taxes, and fees for all hotels, meals, and porter services.
• Daily cycling on either selected routes detailing the best roads of each region or on official race routes from the past and present that are simply legendary!
• All daily transfers, luggage transfers, and on-road sag support in either our autobus or our Thule-equipped vans.
• All daily transfers of bicycles in our custom-fitted bike truck so your bike won't get scratched or damaged.
• All daily prepared routes with maps and cue sheets detailing each days route with each turn and its corresponding mileage. This is all outlined for you in advance.
• Professional mechanics who will build your bike up for you, do the daily maintenance if needed, and repack your bicycle for you when the tour is finished.
• Professional staff with a ratio of 1:6 so everyone gets the needed attention during the tour.
• Professional Velo Echappe Cycling Jersey.
• Daily supply of bottled water, fruit, cookies and other goodies to keep you fueled on the road!
• Cell phone communications
• Pre-Tour Information Packet that will be sent out to you in advance detailing each day's program, hotel info, sponsor info, what to bring, how to pack, etc. so you're fully prepared before you leave home.
  

7. What's not included in the price of my Etape du Tour vacation?

Airfare to-and-from Geneva, lodging before and after the vacation, lunches, any gratuities for Velo Echappe' staff, drinks with meals, and other hotel incidentals such as phone, laundry, room service, etc.

8. What documents do I need to have with me when I arrive into France for the Etape du Tour?
When you arrive into France, you will need to have a valid U.S. Passport, your Etape du Tour Bib Number and Entry Confirmation, and completed Medical Certificate. We also highly recommend that you make two copies of your Passport, Etape papers, and identification materials before you leave. Please leave one copy with your loved ones before you leave and bring one copy with you but keep it separate from your baggage. The reason for doing this is to have backup copies in case your belongings and identification papers are stolen or lost.

To obtain a new passport, or replace an outdated, lost, or stolen passport, please contact the U.S. State Department online.

9. How do I transport my bike on my flight?
We recommend the Thule 699 Round Trip Travel Case. Please call us at 402.345.7445 for special discounted pricing if you are signed up for one of our cycling vacations. If you would like to ship your bike over to France in advance, please contact us for special shipping information. Thanks!

10. What should I bring on the vacation?
Off the bike, Velo Echappe's programs are casual. Informal polo shirts, jeans, khakis, shorts, and slacks are all very appropriate. You do not need to bring coats and ties, dresses, etc.

For your cycling, you should bring your bike, cycling shoes, plenty of cycling socks, extra cleats, padded cycling shorts or bibs, cycling jerseys, arm and leg warmers, rain jacket, cycling gloves, enclosed gloves in case it rains, 1 long sleeve cycling jersey, poly-pro under garments for layering, waterproof booties in case it rains, cool weather jacket, fleece pullover, 3-4 bike tubes, sunglasses, water bottles, drink mix, preferred gels and energy bars, and sunscreen.We will send you a detailed list in our Pre-Tour Info Packet that will be sent out to you when we receive your final payment.

11. What does "Etape du Tour" stand for?
The name of this great event, "L'Etape du Tour," translates into "Stage of the Tour."

12. How many years has the Etape du Tour been in existence?
2012 will mark the 20th year for the "Etape du Tour."