"Signature Series 1 - Alps through Arrival" Package

July 18th to July 27th

Possibly our best trip to the Tour de France ever!

If ever a trip was to be described in superlatives, this would be it. Incredible Tour Experience with behind the scenes access, the Alps, France, Switzerland, the final Time Trial, Mont Ventoux Arrival in Paris, the best hotels in each region and great staff to guest ratio, only begin to describe our most popular Tour experience for 2008. Pre-registrations have been numerous and availability is limited!

This trip will allow you to see the Tour from the inside.

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...). On the rest day we will visit with one of the teams.

Of course this trip includes the stage on Mont Ventoux, so 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 Izoard VIP pavilion located just 50 yards from the Finish line.

We will evacuate the top of Mont Ventoux by helicopter to get to our hotel for the evening.

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.

Garmin Edge 705 GPS units will be provided for use on this trip.

ITINERARY   -   What is included?   -   Options

- July 18th -

Hotel location: Montreux

Our first hotel is set on the Swiss Riviera in Montreux and will be "home" for the first 3 nights of this trip.

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 gourmet dinner will follow!

- July 19th -

Hotel location: Montreux

Tour Stage 15  /   Pontarlier  -  Verbier (CH)  /  207km (129 miles)

Our first day visiting the Tour de France and first stage through the Alps, takes the peloton from France to Switzerland.

We'll be riding directly from our hotel and link up with the stage course which we will ride all the way to the mountain top of Verbier.

While often used on the Tour of Switzerland, Verbier will be hosting its first Tour de France stage.

The exact ride distance will be based on where exactly the stage itinerary takes the peloton as we will be following the same route. We anticipate the longer distance to be in the neighborhood of 70-75km including the climb to Verbier. A shorter option will be available and will start about 35-40km from the stage finish.

Hotel location: Montreux

Today marks the second and final rest day on the 2009 Tour de France.

The teams in the Tour de France will be staying around Martigny and we will join one of these teams to get a closer look at how they operate, see the team mechanics in action and if possible go for a ride with some of the team riders.

This is also a very good day to experience some of Swiss Riviera;

-  the wine region of Lavaux (UNESCO world heritage)

- the medieval town of Gruyere (which gave it's name to Swiss Cheese)

- the banks of Lake Geneva

Riding will be based upon the team's availability. Our tentative plan is to ride from Montreux to famous Gstaad, Chateau d'Oex and end in Gruyere which is a stunning 100km ride. A shorter ride will be available of course.

Today's stage is the first in a series of very important stages and we've got great things planned.

We'll be leaving Switzerland today and the peloton as well. Before we do so, however, we will be treated to the "start Village" in Martigny. This village should open around 10:00am or so, so we will have a bit of time before driving over this morning.

In Martigny, 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 do our own ride and rally our next - chalet style - hotel located in the wonderful ski resort of Megeve. The longer ride distance is about 80km (including the col de la Forclaz). We should arrive in time to catch the arrival on TV, but if not, we will catch the arrival on TV en-route to the hotel!

Col de la Forclaz

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%)

 Who will be able to create a sizeable time difference? Will it be one of the main GC contenders or will a "pure climber" be able to create enough time difference to have a chance at Yellow in Paris? Who will be first to cross the finish line today?

The answer is... YOU!!!

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.!

Our hotel is perfectly located, on course, so we will be riding out from the hotel. Those who wish to ride the longer distance/difficulty on this trip will be able to ride the final 100km on course today going over the final 3 climbs:

Arâches - 6,3 km climb @ 7 % avg
Romme - 8,8 km climb @ 8,9 % avg
Colombière - 7,5 km climb @ 8,5 % avg

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").

In the evening we will make our way back to Megeve for a celebratory dinner!

- 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.

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.

In order to get to Annecy, we will ride from our hotel going over the famous col des Aravis. The total distance today is only 55km. Because this is a time trial the stage will be ongoing throughout the entire afternoon and it will be necessary to arrive in Annecy early. Those who wish to have a longer ride (85km), might prefer to go over the col de la Forclaz and enjoy the beautiful views overlooking Lake Annecy.

We will be spending our final evening in the Alps in a hotel in Grenoble which the USPS and Lance Armstrong have used several times in the past.

cote de Bluffy

- July 24th -

Hotel location: Gordes - 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 just between two of the most beautiful villages of France; Gordes and Roussillon.

We will drive out from Grenoble and make our way south to near Sisteron. From there we will ride to our hotel, going through picturesque scenery and colorful lavender fields.

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

Chef Matthieu will prepare a wonderful meal for us, this evening in his restaurant distinguished by a star at the famous Michelin Guide (THE reference in France).

- 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.

The ride from our hotel to the top of Mont Ventoux is 65km and will go over some wonderful scenery. The climb up Mont Ventoux is 22.7km at an average of 7.1%

Once the stage is over, we will evacuate the top of the mountain by Helicopter to get to back to our hotel.

This is an incredible day on the Tour and one that we are already looking forward to!

Armstrong in 2002

Ventoux Profile

- July 26th -

Hotel location: Paris

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? We will find out today as we watch the arrival from our preferred location setup alongside the Champs Elysees.

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 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 and the dinner cruise.

- July 27th -

Tour...  not until next year!

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