THE TOUR DE FRANCE 2009 CYCLING ADVENTURE

         

A cycling tour across the French Alps is what many dream about. For some it has come true, and here are the first few impression on what this is all about. While Central and Northern Europe were still recovering from several days of heavy rain, the weather in the French Alps was quite inviting. Lac d'Annecy showed off in his regular beauty and temperatures were very comfortable for cycling. What else can you wish? Some good cycling guides of course. And they went out a day early to get ready for the arrival of the guests and designed several new routes.

Richard Debrot

THE FIRST FEW CLIMBS IN FRANCE...PREPARING FOR REAL MOUNTAINS

       

     

And here comes the cycling holiday in France. Good weather, perfect roads, spectacular views and fancy dinners. You don't have to set priorities, you will get it all. And at the same time, you have tons of fun. Well, of course it does not come quite for free.....there is a lot of pedaling to get it all, and it is not flat, that is guaranteed. And here and there you have to endure some painful moments....some of them can even last a bit longer, but that is what we came for. Why hang at the beach and do nothing but being lazy?

Richard Debrot

RIDING THE TOUR....AND WATCHING IT

         

         

       

And this is why what we have come for: Once the roads are closed to motorized traffic, we ride up the Tour de France climbs in front of the waiting spectators. Once we are on the top we mingle with the crowd, have some lunch and eventually enjoy the show of the fighting cyclists. And today was quite a fight. It was the king's stage with several mountain climbs and the partly bad weather added an extra level of difficulty. We were rained on a bit as well, for about 8 or nine minutes, but hey, cycling is an outdoor sport so there is no complaining.

Richard Debrot

PREPARING FOR THE TIME TRIAL 

There is no coverage on TV yet, not even in France. The only way to know what is going on at the Time Trial day is to be here, where the action is. And, here we are....time trial training ride with Fabian Cancellara and the Team Saxo Bank.

Richard Debrot

THE TIME TRIAL - THE REAL SHOW 

Here we go...full action.

Richard Debrot

....AND MORE FROM THE TIME TRIAL DAY....

       

     

Not much comment, just enjoy the impressions from the day.

Richard Debrot

THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

       

Click on the above thumbnails for larger images, and to see more pics from the climb, click here to access our Mac Photo Library of Ventoux.

How far is it to the dark side of the moon? Does it really take a Space Shuttle? Well, all it takes is a bicycle, a good pair of legs and taking some pain. Wheter it's winter or summer, the Ventoux is always one of the toughtest climbs in France. No trees, no shade, no water and a landscape that is eroded be constant winds that is actually looks like the dark side of the moon. We know, thre is no wind on the moon and also almost zero gravity. That means besides the moon's vacuum climbing Ventoux is far more more challenging than landing on the moon. Is that the reason why the Tour did not add this mountain to its program since 2002?

The EuroCycler guests are heroes, they all conquered the mountain. Congratulations. And congratulations to Dan Maker who led them all to the top. Once you are on the top, you know that you can do all French mountain climbs. If this one is not on your palmares, we higly recommend you give it at try....and all other climbs will fell like peanuts.

After riding the climb, the group went back to the hotel and prepared for the arrival of the Tour de France riders....to climb the Mount Ventoux. More about that tomorrow.

Richard Debrot

THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON....FROM A SPECTATOR'S VIEW

Photos will follow

What can we say? We learned yesterday how it feels to climb that monster. Today w were in the comfortable position to watch others suffer.

Richard Debrot

THE TOUR FINISH IN EUROCYCLER'S LUXURY STYLE

         

         

       

As many years before, EuroCycler guests enjoyed the finish line party in style. The road below us was filles with spectators five to eight people deep fighting with streched arms to catch a good shot of the racers. We on the other hand, sat by the windows on the first floor of Fouquet's overlooking the crowd. Not only have we had enough space and cool shade but also several courses of finest French food plus champagne and wine....spread over 5 hours, making it a perfect Finish Line Party. Guests joined us knowing EuroCycler from earlier trips to Spain or France while some new guests realized that we offer the best deal on Champs-Elysees. For a cycling enthusiast, there is no better way to finish the cycling show in France at the EuroCycler party - or come just for the party. See you again, July 25, 2010, you can already book your VIP seat.

Have a great rest of the season.

Richard Debrot