1. When does my "Lance in France" Monaco and Provence Deluxe Cycling Vacation begin?
Your vacation will begin on July 1 when we meet you at the "Arrivee" section at the Nice International Airport in Nice, France at 1 pm. Please note that you will need to be ready to go with your bike case by 12 noon. Following our welcome, we will transfer you immediately to our hotel overlooking the Cote d'Azur and the Mediterranean Sea. If you are going to be in the area before, please meet us at the airport at 12 noon. Thanks!

AAA Travel Assistance: To reserve additional hotel rooms in Nice, purchase transatlantic flight tickets, train tickets, or a personal rental car, 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. What kind of bike should I bring and what gears should I plan on using?
It's simple - if you are not a Category 1 pro, please bring a compact or a triple with a 27 - 31 gear on the rear depending your fitness. This trip entails some serious climbing up such heavyweights as the Col de la Madone, Col d'Eze, the Poggio, the Cipressa, and Mont Ventoux. You will definitely want all the gearing you can get on these mythical climbs. As a final note, please leave your pride on the shelf when it comes to selecting your gears. Your legs will thank you later and you'll enjoy the trip a lot more!

3. How many meals are included?
All breakfasts, 5 group dinners and Welcome Cocktail.

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, 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 with you. The reason for this is that everyone has different tastes, sensitivities, and responses to various sports drinks. Thus, you should bring what works best for you. Thanks!

5. What kind of weather should we expect?
Normally, July days in southern France are full of sunshine with temperatures that range from the mid-70's - low 90's.

6. What is the group size for this program?
The group size will be 25 riders maximum. We are keeping the group level small to insure that everyone gets the needed attention during their vacation.

7. How should I train for this vacation?
The best training is to get out and ride! You should be comfortable riding 1.5 -5 hours per day over rolling and mountainous terrain for this vacation. In addition, the vans will always be close by so, if you've had enough riding for the day, we will be more than happy to give you a lift to the hotel. It's your vacation and we want you to enjoy it on your own terms!

8. What is included in the price of the "Lance in France" Monaco and Provence Deluxe Cycling Vacation?

• 3-star accommodations in Velo Echappe' selected hotels for 6 nights.
• All breakfasts and 5 group dinners.
• Welcome Cocktail with wine.
• All gratuities, taxes, and fees for all hotels, meals, and porter services.
• Daily guided challenging cycling through the heart of the French Riviera, Monaco, the Italian Riviera, and Provence.
• 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 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 and Bibs.
• 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.

9. What documents do I need to have with me when I arrive into France?
You will need to have a valid U.S. Passport with you when you arrive. We also highly recommend that you make 2 copies of your Passport 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

10. What is not included in the price of my vacation?
Airfare to and from France, lunches, lodging before and after the vacation, 2 dinners.

11. When does my "Lance in France" Monaco and Provence Deluxe Cycling vacation end?
Your point of departure will be the Avignon Train Station on July 7at 12 noon. From here, you can rent a hotel room, take the TGV to Paris or other parts of Europe, or rent a car and extend your trip. For assistance with your travel plans, please contact our AAA Travel Agent, Shelley Lulow.

12. How do I transport my bike on my flight?
We recommend the Bike Pro Travel Case. You can visit Bike Pro USA online and view their entire selection. After you have found the case that you want, please call us at 402.345.7445 for special discounted pricing. If you would like to ship your bike to Italy, please contact us for the best shipping company in the business. We have been working with them for the past 5 years and they are batting 1000% with bikes delivered on time.

13. What should I bring on the vacation?
Off the bike, Velo Echappe's programs are casual. Informal polo shirts, one sweater, pullover, jeans, khakis, shorts, and slacks are all very appropriate. You do not need to bring coats and ties, dresses, etc. In addition, you should also bring a swimsuit.

For your cycling, you should bring your bike, cycling shoes, plenty of cycling socks, extra cleats, padded cycling shorts or bibs, cycling jerseys, rain jacket, cycling gloves, enclosed gloves in case it rains, 1 long sleeve cycling jersey, poly-pro under garments for layering, 3-4 bike tubes, sunglasses, waterbottles, drink mix, preferred gels and energy bars, and sunscreen. Note: Since we will be on the Riviera, please be sure and bring your SPEEDO! :>)