"Polka Dot Alps" Package

July 20th to July 26th

The Alps, Time Trial and Mont Ventoux

This trip will cover the stages most meaningful to determine who will win the 2009 Tour de France, and will provide VIP access and preferred viewing on the best days.

When we mean VIP access, we mean visit of the Press rooms, Technical Zones, visits guided by a representative of the Tour de France organization, visit of the Riders Zone, meeting personalities that have marked the Tour (former Tour winners, personalities, etc...).

In addition to having VIP access to a stage start, riding a portion of a stage, crossing the finish line and climbing the official Podium, you will also be in the VIP Izoard VIP pavilion located just 50 yards from the Finish line on Mont Ventoux.

You've dreamed of it; Can you stand not to be part of it?

This trip is open to cyclist as well as those who prefer not to ride and restricted to 22 people to preserve its exclusive character.

ITINERARY   -   What is included?   -   Options

- July 20th -

Hotel location: Montreux

Our first hotel is set on the Swiss Riviera in Montreux.

Montreux is also host to one of the Worlds largest international Jazz festivals every year, which takes place throughout July. The ambiance will therefore be very festive and the town will be animated.

Upon arrival at the Hotel, 

 we will check in and those riding will assemble bikes, our mechanic will be on hand to assist those who need a bit of help. A short ride to make sure everything is in proper working condition will follow.

It will then be time to get together over a welcome toast, do proper introductions and go over the next few day's fun and action... of course a nice dinner will follow!

Today's stage is the first in a series of very important stages and we'll be kicking off things off in grand fashion!

If you've ever had the dream of riding a Tour de France stage along roads filled with spectators and raise your arms to the sky as you cross the finish-line, today is the day it comes true!

The entire stage is 160km (100miles) with 13,000 feet of positive elevation. As it is necessary to cross the finish line by 2:00pm, riding the entire course may not be an option, however, those who wish to ride the most will be able to ride, at the minimum, the final 90km (5500' of elevation). If it is possible to ride more and you would like to do so, we'll do our best to make it happen.

Those who wish to ride a shorter distance will be able to do so as well.

Custom Getaways vehicles with on-course accreditation will be accompanying you and providing an extra lift if necessary, and an official Tour de France vehicle will escort us over the final few kms of the course. You will cross the finish line on closed roads just a couple of hours or so before the Peloton.

Once this ride of a lifetime is complete, you will be invited to climb the official podium where we will take souvenir pictures. Those not riding will be driven over the final kms, will enjoy the excitement of the climb, climb the podium, etc.

We'll be directly overlooking the finish line to see how the pros stack up as we will have special access to the "Bulle Mangeas". Daniel Mangeas is the French commentator for the Tour de France ("La voix du Tour").

Our hotel this evening will be "home" for the next 3 nights and is actually a Chateau.

- July 22nd -

Col des Saisies

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 which presents a great challenge with

8.8km at an average grade of 8.9%!!!

(Alpe d'Huez averages 7.7%)

We will ride out from the hotel and make a detour through the "massif des Bauges" before tackling the Col des Saisies where we will watch the race go by. The ride distance is right at 100km for the longest ride. Those who prefer to ride a shorter distance, will avoid our initial leisurely detour and ride straight to the Col des Saisies (68km). Those who still wish to ride a shorter distance will be dropped off about 40km from the end of the ride. Once the stage has been by, we will catch the stage arrival on TV.

Massif des Bauges

- July 23rd -

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.

In order to get to Annecy, those who wish can ride from our hotel early. There are a few climbs during the ride and the total distance today is only 55km.

In Annecy, we will be greeted by a person from ASO who will show us around the area and explain how things work. Thanks to our VIP 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 and the Time Trials are the best types of villages to have access to as riders warm up 2 or 3 at a time and the interaction lasts so much longer (being up close and personal with some of the "time-machines" isn't all bad either!)

Once the Time Trial is over, we'll head back to our Chateau for a final evening.

cote de Bluffy

- July 24th -

Hotel location: Vaison - Provence

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

After the past few days spent in the Alps, the Tour will head out of the mountain range on a couple of transition stages.

We'll be leaving the Alps ourselves to work our way to the Provence region. Our hotel is located near the base of Mont Ventoux which will prove very convenient tomorrow!

We will drive south from Chambery for a short while and stop en-route to the next hotel. Our ride will take us over some picturesque scenery and colorful lavender fields and we will be riding to our hotel located in Vaison la Romaine.

Those not riding will be able to stop along the way or be taken directly to our hotel in Vaison to have more time in this wonderful little town.

- July 25th -

Hotel location: Gordes - Provence

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!!!

Not only will we be on the (in)famous climb today; we will be witnessing the Tour de France being won or lost from the exclusive VIP Izoard hospitality area located about 50-75 yards from the finish line and overlooking the course.

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.

There will be several ride distances possible today ; all of which include the "Geant de Provence". The climb up Mont Ventoux is 22.7km at an average of 7.1%

Once the stage is over, it will be very easy to simply ride back to the hotel as it is mostly downhill + 10km to get to Vaison la Romaine... return by vehicle will also be possible.

This is an incredible day on the Tour!

Armstrong in 2002

Ventoux Profile

- July 26th -

Departure... or join us in Paris to witness the arrival of the Tour de France!