NON Cycling - "Alps, Time Trial, Ventoux and Paris"

July 20th to July 27th, 2009

 The crucial final stages of the 2009 Tour de France:

Registrations:
Please email us to receive a registration form our complete reservation procedure: info@customgetaways.com

- July 20th -

Hotel location: Megeve

Our hotel will be home for the first 3 nights of the trip, so we will be able to "settle down" a bit. Megeve is quite centrally located for the upcoming stages in the Alps and the stage on July 22nd actually runs through town.

Once everyone is checked in, we will gather for a welcome toast and dinner.

- July 21st -

Hotel location: Megeve

Tour Stage 16  /   Martigny (CH)  -  Bourg Saint Maurice  /  160km (100 miles)

Petit St Bernard

One stage and three countries; start in Switzerland, ride through Italy and finish in France. All this over "just" 100 miles.

Our first encounter with the Tour de France will take place on one of two locations; either the base of the final climb of the day "Col du Petit Saint Bernard", or at the arrival in Bourg Saint Maurice. This will be determined once more details are released by  the organizers regarding timing of the stage.

This "short" stage should be somewhat reminiscent of the 2008 stage between Cuneo and Jausiers.

- July 22nd -

With 5 categorized climbs this stage is going to create havoc in the peloton. The Col de la Colombiere is usually quite difficult from the North side, but the Tour Organizers have decided to add the col de Romme as the second to last climb. While not as famous as other climbs on the day (Cormet de Roselend, Saisies, Colombiere), this climb will be a great challenge; 8.8km at an average grade of 8.9%!!!

(Alpe d'Huez averages 7.7%)

We will be there to see who crosses the finish line first as we will have passes to access the exclusive VIP Izoard hospitality area located about 50-75 yards from the finish line.

Here hostesses will serve drinks and snacks while you watch the live broadcast on Big Screen TV. After seeing the stage finish from this exclusive viewing area champagne will be served to celebrate the stage winner.
The Izoard bus is among the more exclusive areas at stage finishes and you should expect to see/meet plenty of Tour celebrities.

Once the stage is over, we will make the short drive back to Megeve.
 

- July 23rd -

Hotel location: Annecy

Tour Stage 18  /   Annecy - Annecy  /  Time Trial / 40km (25 miles)

With the Tour de France end nearing, all the stages become more important. Today's individual effort around Lake Annecy will be a great opportunity for the Yellow Jersey contenders to gain time on their rivals.

This time trial also includes a short but steep climb up the col de Buffy which has the potential of creating substantial time losses.

We will be viewing the stage from our private and preferred viewing location. We are currently working on 3 different options and will select the best toward the early part of 2009. We will be directly on the course however and will also have live TV feed to monitor the progress of the stage throughout the afternoon.

cote de Bluffy

- July 24th -

Hotel location: Provence

Tour Stage 19  /   Bourgoin Jallieu  -  Aubenas  /  195km (121 miles)

We will be treated to the "Start Village" in Bougoin J. The village should open around 10:00am or so. There, we will be greeted by a person from ASO who will show us around the area and explain how things work. Thanks to our passes, we will access the rider's area, meet some of the racers, see them warm-up, meet Directeurs Sportif, personalities, possible visit of team bus, etc.

Tour starts are often a favorite part of our trips as the interaction with the riders/teams is unparalleled.

Once the peloton is off, we will drive further south to the base of Mont Ventoux and our next hotel for the 2 upcoming nights.

- July 25th -

Tour Stage 20  /   Montelimar  -  Mont Ventoux  /  167km (104 miles)

This is THE stage! The one everyone is talking about! There are so many scenarios possible on the day. Regardless of who is wearing the Yellow Jersey, it will not be safe until this final climb is completed.

 The last time the Tour de France went up Mont Ventoux was in 2002. At the time, Virenque had won the stage followed by russian Botcharov and Armstrong fished 3rd. Lance Armstrong has always said that he would like to win atop Mont Ventoux. This very well could  be his final opportunity!!!

We will, of course, be in the final climb today to see the stage unfold from our preferred viewing location.

Armstrong in 2002

Ventoux Profile

- July 26th -

Hotel location: Paris, near Champs Elysees

Tour Stage 21  /   Montereau Fault Yonne  -  Paris Champs-Elysees   /  160km (100 miles)

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

Who will be wearing yellow on the Champs Elysees tonight? Will Sastre repeat? Will Contador wear Yellow again? Could it be Lance Armstrong for an 8th title? We will find out today as we watch the arrival from the side of the "World's most beautiful Avenue".

First however; getting to Paris!

We will be using the same transportation mode as the riders themselves, i.e. taking a bullet train from the Provence region to Paris. Then a quick metro ride will have us within a short stroll of our hotel. The timing of today's stage is still something the organizers are working on. Because of the distance between Mont Ventoux and Paris, the stage may be starting/ending later than usual (or the Ventoux stage could be a "Matinee"). Regardless we will be on site to experience it all!

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 sunset dinner-cruise along the Seine river. Great food and unbelievable sight-seeing of Paris by night will end our “sensory overloaded day”!!!

Our hotel is located within walking distance of the Champs Elysees, the Grand stands and the dinner cruise.

Our position as Official Tour Operators for the Tour de France, allows us to offer seating in the Official Grand Stands alongside the Champs-Elysees as an option.

- July 27th -

Departure.