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2004 could be a very historic year for the Tour
de France. Lance Armstrong will be racing for his sixth
straight Tour victory, more wins than any of the other great
legends of this epic race. Our Petite Alps tour will also be
very special, as we will be present on one of the final climbs
on the last stage in the Alps, Stage 17, Bourg d’Oisans to Le
Grand Bornand.
Our “Petite Alpes” tour is designed for
intermediate single bike riders and experienced tandem teams. We
will not only ride up the famous Tour de France mountain top
finish of Alpe d’Huez, but we will experience the beauty,
grandeur, and excitement of riding in the French Alps without
having to tackle all the “out of category” climbs and ultra
miles of our more serious Alps tours. True, there are big
mountains and epic climbs in the Alps, but much of the scenic
riding is elsewhere, over the little passes, along the rivers
and valleys, up gorges with towering cliffs, through beautiful
flower decked villages and down roads chiseled into vertical
faces. You'll savor descents through forests on winding lanes,
rolling past lush meadow covered hills, and experience the never
ending delights of cycling in the French countryside.
This tour is not just about riding; when you
climb off your bike, the adventure continues. The abundance of
boulangeries and patisseries will quickly help you forget the
need for power bars and energy drinks. The small restaurants
serving typical French lunches are a gastronomic delight. From
rustic hotels in alpine villages, to country inns famous for
excellent meals, from a four-star lakeside hotel, to a cycling
specific hotel in a cycling oriented village, our choice of
lodging will greatly enhance the French experience. Food and
wine will be plentiful, and of course, very French!
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