So BikeStyle Tours (Oz) have released their L’Etape du Tour tours. This year we have two options:
- Etape-only: AUD$450, no support, this is bare bones entry only
- Guided tour: AUD$2350, 20 people only, 5 days/4 nights, Etape transfers, Etape support (see the rest below)
The guided tour is going to include some riding, but I think this is quite costly considering you need to get to Lourdes or Pau. Check the inclusions below. For those who want absolutely nothing to worry about, then this could be a good option.
- Transport throughout by private luxury minibus with custom bike trailer
- Entry into the 2010 Etape du Tour
- Start and finish transfers during Etape du Tour
- Services of 3 experienced tour guides and our coach driver.
- Transfer on 16 July from Toulouse airport and Lourdes rail station to hotel.
- Transfer on 26 July from hotel to Lourdes rail station and Toulouse airport
- 7 night’s accommodation in comfortable traditional hotel with private facilities.
- Buffet breakfast daily
- Delicious 3 course meal on 5 nights.
- Mechanical assistance with your bike
- Sightseeing as listed
- Maps and Bikestyle guide to the Tour de France
If however, you’re like me and want to spend the cash touring and buying cool stuff, you can easily do this yourself.
We are going to get ourselves to Lourdes or Toulouse then have car hire waiting. From there we’ll be parked up in Pau or nearby for 10 days. If you look at the Parcours, you can park up in Pau for 10 days and see 7 stages (Stages 13-19) very easily. You can also therefore pop down into the north of Spain very easily. North of Spain? = Delightful!
Our major issue will be a transfer from the Tourmalet to Pau. I am considering getting our car there the day before and riding back. I’ll have a 1400m and 1000m climb over 174km – not too crazy by any standards. Other option is drive there two days before and ride back giving me a day to recover. After this year’s (Etape 2009) debacle of me doing Ventoux 3 times in 3 days and therefore having no legs for the actual L’Etape (coming 1200th instead of about 200th), then I’m going to make sure I am FRESH. I want a top 200 spot.
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