1. How do I prepare for a vacation to the greatest race in France?
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. There are so many to choose from nowadays, both local and national, that you shouldn't have any problem. If you need some guidance, please contact us and we'd be more than happy to steer you in the right direction. For this vacation, you should be able to ride 3-5 hours per day over rolling and mountainous terrain.

2. 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 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, long, and hot! You are going to want every possible gear imaginable to help you spin up the climbs, particularly the Col du Tourmalet and the Col d'Aubisque. 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 climb, your pride won't help your legs spin up a climb.

3. 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, 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!

4. What kind of weather should we expect?
Normally, July days are full of sunshine with temperatures that range from the mid-70's - low 90's. In addition, it always rains each year, particularly in the mountains. Thus, you will want to bring your rain gear with you. The evenings are quite pleasant and a bit cooler so you will want to make sure you have a pullover, sweater or fleece jacket with you so you don't get a summer chill.

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

• 7 nights of accommodations and breakfast in Velo Echappe' approved hotels.
• All transfers.
• All breakfasts and 6 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.
  

6. What is not included in the price of my vacation?
Airfare to and from France, train tickets, lodging before and after the vacation, lunches, any gratuities for Velo Echappe' staff, and any incidentals.

7. What documents do I need to have with me when I arrive into France for the Tour de France?
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 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 .

8. 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 would like to ship your bike over to France in advance, please contact us for special shipping information. Thanks!

9. 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.

10. If I am arriving early or staying for an extra day, what hotel do you recommend?

It's a good idea to arrive at least one day early in case of any travel or luggage delays (very common in the summertime since it's peak season) and to give yourself some time to get some needed rest following such a long trip. For the area around Toulouse Blagnac Airport, please give us a call at 402.345.7445 or via email at info@veloechappe.com for the best hotels.