go to home page how to contact us our referral program our favorite links

 


 

Custom Getaways is appointed Official Tour Operator by the Tour Organizers... more

 

Email us

 

 

RIDE THE ENTIRE TOUR

June 5th - June 27th, 2009

 

We have run this similar trip in 2006 and 2007 and for the cycling enthusiast, it is an experience second to none. In a nutshell; the trip consists on riding the entire Tour. Slight modifications are made as required for safety reasons. Most notably, large Urban areas which are simply too congested to ride safely may be avoided, or multi-lane roads (which won't be closed when we ride) are replaced with alternate itineraries. Other than that, you will be riding the same stages daily and we will provide support on these rides. The number of participants is purposely limited to 6 participants to keep things manageable. A second trip will run concurrent should the number of participants grow past this limit. The most grueling mountain stages may be split in two ride days.

 

You can expect beautiful sites and scenery and great food, but the entire emphasis of the trip is on the ride itself. This should be considered as a Challenge trip more than a scenic or relaxing vacation. Hotels are mostly for one nights, however whenever possible we have scheduled multiple night stays.

 

Two staff members will handle the logistics and will be on the bike to encourage you and provide assistance if/when needed.

 

In 2007, many city officials accepted to sign, have pictures taken or otherwise recognize the efforts of our riders and we will be contacting the cities to setup a similar personal log book which you will keep as a precious witness to this great accomplishment.

 

New in 2009;

Garmin Edge 705 units will be provided for the length of the trip.

  

Please read below for:  daily itinerary - what's included.

 

 Email us

ITINERARY

RIDE THE ENTIRE TOUR 2009

Rate: Discounted rate of $9850.00 if paid by check or wire transfer. Regular rate is $10250

23 nights, 24 days  -  June 5th to June 28th

Pick-up in Nice on June 5th / Drop-off in Paris CDG airport on June 4th
Highlights: Ride the entire 2009 Tour

OPTIONS: Trip insurance

 

 Email us

ITINERARY

 

Date Ride / Activity Daily Ride Km Daily Ride Mi.
5-Jun-09 We will pick up at Nice airport early as we are planning on starting the ride today! If you wish to arrive the night prior to be onsite already, we can assist with accommodations. Ride stage #1 (15km) + the first 80km of stage #2: Monaco - Brignols. Evening near Fayence 95 59
6-Jun-09 Ride the final 100km of Stage#2 + 75km of stage #3. A short portion stage #3 (Marseille - Grande Motte) will be bypassed to avoid very congested traffic in and around Marseille, however we will still start from within Marseille city limits for the photo opp. and to legitimately have visited each of the stage cities. Evening near Arles and its Roman Amphitheater 175 109
7-Jun-09 Ride final 100km of Stage#3 + 25km (optional) to Montpellier + Team Time Trial (38km). Night in Montpellier. 163 102
8-Jun-09 Ride Stage#5: Cap d'Agde to Perpignan. Evening in Girona 197 123
9-Jun-09 Ride Stage#6: Girona to Barcelona. An all Spanish stage finishing near the Olympic stadium in Barcelona. Evening in Girona 175 109
10-Jun-09 Ride Stage#7: Barcelona to Andorra Arcalis. We'll skip the first 30km or so to avoid the traffica around Barcelona. This is the first of the mountain stages and our 4 country in just 6 days! Evening in Andorra 194 121
11-Jun-09 Ride first 115km of Stage #8 to Massat. More mountains and we're pacing ourselves for the long-haul! Evening near Massat 115 72
12-Jun-09 Ride the final 60km of Stage #8 + 40km (optional) to go to St Gaudens. Evening in near St Gaudens 100 63
13-Jun-09 Ride stage #9. Saint Gaudens to Tarbes. The ride includes the classic climbs of col d'Aspin and col du Tourmalet. We'll start our ride early in order to make some of the road toward Limoges 160 100
14-Jun-09 Ride first 75km of Stage #10. Limoges - Issoundun. Evening in Gueret 75 47
15-Jun-09 Ride the final 120kms of Stage #10 + 20km to get to Vatan (optional) 140 88
16-Jun-09 Ride Stage #11. Vatan to Saint Fargeau. Evening in World famous Chablis. 192 120
17-Jun-09 Ride Stage #12. Tonnerre to Vittel. Vittel is home to the water of the same name which is a major sponsor of the Tour de France. This is also our longest ride of the trip. Evening in Vittel 200 125
18-Jun-09 Ride the first 120km for Stage #13. After the past 4 days with longer distances, we wanted to split up the next few rides which are not only long, but mountainous as well. Evening near Munster 120 75
19-Jun-09 Ride final 80km of stage #13 to Colmar + first 100km of stage #14. Colmar to Besancon. Evening near Montbeliard. 180 113
20-Jun-09 Ride final 100km of Stage #14 to Besancon + 30km to Pontarlier (optional) +  First 37km of Stage #15. Evening in Yverdon (CH). 167 104
21-Jun-09 Ride the final 170km of stage #15 to Verbier. Night in Martigny (CH) 170 106
22-Jun-09 Ride Stage #16. Evening in Bourg St Maurice 160 100
23-Jun-09 Ride first 130km of Stage #17. With 5 categorized climbs stage #17 is certainly one of the most difficult stages and on our 20th day of riding, we thought it would be appropriate to split up the difficulty. Evening in Cluses 130 81
24-Jun-09 We'll finish riding Stage #1; 40km but 2 substantial climbs + 30km to get to Annecy (optional) + ride the 40km Time Trial course of stage# 18. Evening in Bourgoin Jalieu 110 69
25-Jun-09 Ride Stage #19. Bourgoin Jalieu to Aubenas. Evening in Montelimar 195 122
26-Jun-09 Ride Stage #20. Montelimar to Mont Ventoux. This is the final true ride. Final mountain stage and we'll want to get an early start to have time to tackle the Geant de Provence. We'll travel by train to spend the final evening in Paris. 167 104
27-Jun-09 We've planned this final ride for a Saturday in order to minimize traffic. Still; how to get from Mont Ventoux to the small village of Montereau Fault Yonne early enough to ride 75km and arrive in Paris before traffic builds-up? The answer riding the stage backward! We'll start with an early ride of one of the finish loops in Paris before heading out of Paris to Montereau Fault-Yonne. A bit of a necessary twist in the TDF itinerary in order to link all of the 2009 stage hosting cities. Evening in Paris 75 47
28-Jun-09 Departure.    
  TOTAL RIDE DISTANCE.  The total ride distance is within 10km of the official distance announced in October (3445km). The distances mentioned above as optional are not part of the TDF course itself, but added in to make up for parts of stages which must be bypassed because of congestion, safety or logistics. The total of this "make-up" distance is only 145km (90 miles), so you will be riding 3300km of the 3345km that make up the 2009 Tour de France and will visit every stage host city. Safe to say that this qualifies as RIDING THE ENTIRE TOUR 3455 2159

 

Email us

 

 

 

 WHAT IS INCLUDED?

- Transportation throughout
- Hotel room based on double occupancy. Hotels are 2 and 3 stars with convenience being the priority after cleanliness and private baths. Whenever possible (especially in the mountains) we use hotels we visit regularly.
- All breakfasts at the hotels - All but four Dinners
- Use of Garmin Edge 705 units with each stage mapped out.
- Deluxe Minibus with a/c, ample room for luggage and bikes
- Support vehicle with water and snacks
- Bi-lingual group Leader / Bike Guide
- Excellent support to guest ratio of about 1:3
- Tour de France Road Book (not available to the general public) showing full details of stages, profiles etc etc (print time may delay the attribution of the books to the end of the Trip).
- Cycling Jerseys (2) + Bibs (2)
- Detailed cue-cards, directions, maps, profile of stages, daily.
- Great flexibility in accommodating the group
- A Log book with daily mileage, notes, etc and a place for City/Town/Village officials to sign
- Memories to last a lifetime!
 
 

 

©Custom Getaways, Inc.   |   Home   |   Contact   |   Guiding Opportunities