"The Alps and Arrival" Package

July 17th to July 24th

This trip is packed with exciting features, such as premier viewing location at Alpe d'Huez (the best anywhere!), Helicopter transfer, the final (decisive?) time trial, our famous viewing suites in Paris, etc...

We will be in the heart of the action throughout this grueling final week! Please read below for more details.

Because France uses the metric system and all the markings will be in km, we too, use the metric system when referring to distances.

- July 17th -

Pick-up in Lyon Airport or Grenoble or Chambery train stations. In addition to having an international airport with easy connections from the US, Lyon airport also has a train station which can be easily accessed via bullet train directly from Paris (Chambery and Grenoble have bullet train stations as well).

Beloki, Armstrong, Mayo, Hamilton (2003)

The serious Alpine stages start today for the racers. On the menu today ; col d'Izoard - col du Lautaret and Alpe d'Huez.

This is an exciting day and we have planned exciting things... Starting with the ride, which will take us from the hotel and over the famous col de la Croix de Fer and then back up to Oz en Oisans to end the ride.

From there we will get to the resort of Alpe d'Huez and make our way to our Chalet located on switchback #2 (second to last switchback). The views from this location are second to none anywhere on the climb to Alpe d'Huez. We will be able to see from the Village of Huez up to our location.  We will also have lunch at the Chalet.

Finally, when the stage is over, we will take a Helicopter ride back down to Saint Jean de Maurienne where we will spend the evening.

Col du Glandon

There are a number of ride options today. Those most eager to get some serious riding in will be able to ride the final 80km of the day's stage. This includes, col de la Croix de Fer (via Glandon), Col du Mollard and the climb to La Toussuire!

A shorter version of the ride would bypass the first few climbs and leave "only" the climb to La Toussuire.

Once the stage is over, we will make our way North to the Haute-Savoie region

Col du Mollard

La Toussuire

- July 20th -

Col des Aravis

Once again we'll be able to leave from the hotel and ride a portion of the race itinerary. Some will ride the col des Aravis and col de la Colombiere, while others will bypass the col des Aravis.

We'll view the race go by on the col de la Colombiere where we will have lunch and watch the race on satellite TV.

Col de la Colombiere

- July 21st -

Hotel location: Beaune

Short ride: 50km (31 mi.) - Long ride: 85km (53 mi.)

Tour Stage 18  /   Morzine  -  Macon  /  193km (120.5 miles)

While the Tour heads out of the Alps, we'll take this opportunity to spin out and ride some flatter terrain.

We'll be leaving the Alpes ourselves relatively early to work our way to the heart of the Burgundy region ; Beaune. Beaune is one of France's most interesting cities: its famous basilica, hospice, bell tower and ramparts are part of its heritage. We will be able to cycle through the wine region and those who are so inclined will be able to visit one of the area's great wine producing Chateau and taste the local product!

Our 4 Star hotel this evening is located in the town center. Once a private residence, it features a magnificent tower and a most beautiful stone staircase. An ancient artesian well and Renaissance medallions sculpted into rock can be found in the hotel square.

Once in Beaune will will break down the bikes.

- July 22nd -

Individual Time Trial

Tour Stage 19  /  Le Creusot   -  Montceau les Mines  /  56km (35 miles)

Our bikes, will be boxed and brought up to our hotel in Paris while we enjoy the time trial.

The evening will be spent in Beaune so we will have some more time to enjoy this wonderful town.

- July 23rd -

Hotel location: Paris

Tour Stage 21  /   Anthony  - Paris Champs-Elysees   /  152km (95 miles)

This is what every professional cyclist aspires to; the arrival of the Tour de France on the Champs-Elysees!

Who will succeed to lance Armstrong? Will it be one of the favorites - Ullrich, Basso, Vinokourov, etc, or will someone else have the honor? We will find out today. But first, a morning bullet train will take us from Dijon to Paris.

Once in Paris, we will go to the Champs Elysees to watch the arrival from our viewing suites overlooking the avenue. We will be able to watch the start of the race on TV as it enters Paris while celebrating and catching the mood of the immense crowd below.

Once the Tour festivities are over, we will get ready for a great dining experience. This year again we will be renting an entire boat for our dinner-cruise along the Seine river. Great food and unbelievable sight-seeing of Paris by night will end our “sensory overloaded day”!!!

Our 4 Star hotel is located within walking distance of the Champs Elysees, our viewing suites and the dinner cruise.

- July 24th -

Tour...  not until next year!

Goodbyes or....... Option to Visit Paris for a few days (read about this option below)