1. When does my France Pro Tour Provence and Alps Cycling Vacation begin?

Your vacation will begin when we meet you at the Avignon TGV Train Station on July 7th. From here, we will transfer you to the 5-star Hostellerie de Crillon le Brave where you will check-in for the next two nights. While our professional mechanics build up your bike, you will be able to enjoy a dip in the heated outdoor pool or visit the nearby village of Bedoin before our "Welcome Meeting and Dinner" that evening.

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 a cycling vacation to France?
The daily mileage on this trip ranges between 30 - 70 miles per day over rolling  to mountainous terrain. Our program features some of the greatest climbs in France such as Mont Ventoux. L'Alpe d'Huez, the Col de Glandon and many others. You will want to arrive fit so you can ride these legendary roads to the best of your ability. Thus, you should be able to ride 3 - 5 hours per day over rolling hills and mountainous terrain to be ready for this tour. If you need a cycling coach to help you and don't know where to start, please contact us for guidance. Thanks!

3. What kind of bike should I bring and what gears should I plan on using?
As regards gearing, we recommend that you have a minimum of a 25 - 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 on the major Tour climbs can be very steep in places with gradients ranging from 10% - 13%. To quote Bill Strickland, the Executive Editor in Chief 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 day, 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. Our vans will be stationed at key turns on the cycling routes and are 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. It is highly recommended, however, that you please bring your own drink powders and energy bars with you. The reason for this is that everyone has different tastes, sensitivities, and responses to various sports drinks and bars. Thus, you should bring what works best for you. Thanks!

5. What kind of weather should we expect in France in July?
Since we will be in the Alps for the first part of the trip, you will need to prepare for every type of weather imaginable. It could be sunny and hot or it could be rainy and cold. You just never know so come prepared. When we are in Provence, the days are normally full of sunshine with temperatures that range from the mid-70's - mid 90's. As a reminder, please be sure to pack your rain gear since there is always the chance we will get wet somewhere along the tour.

6. What is included in the price of the vacation?

• Live viewing of two stages of the 2012 France Pro Tour.
• All accommodations in 3-star to 5-star hotels.
• All transfers.
• All breakfasts and 4 group dinners as outlined on the itinerary.
• All gratuities, taxes, and fees for all hotels, meals, and porter services.
• Daily cycling on selected routes detailing the best roads of each region.
• All daily transfers, luggage transfers, and on-road sag support in either our autobus or our Thule-equipped vans.
• 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 guides 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 is not included in the price of my vacation?
Airfare to and from France, train tickets, lodging before and after the vacation, lunches, 2 dinners, any gratuities for Velo Echappe' staff, and any incidentals.

8. What documents do I need to have with me when I arrive into Italy for the tour?
When you arrive into France, you will need to have a valid U.S. Passport. We also highly recommend that you make 2 copies of your Passport, visa, and identification materials before you leave. Please leave one copy with your loved ones at home 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. To obtain a new passport, or replace an outdated, lost, or stolen passport, please contact the U.S. State Department .

9. How do I transport my bike on my flight?
We recommend the Thule 699 Round Trip Case. All guests who register for a trip with us will receive special pricing on these cases. Please call us at 402.345.7445 for special discounted pricing info. 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 similar list in our Pre-Tour Info Packet that will be sent out to you when we receive your final payment.