Customer has TDF trip available

Mike Jacoubowsk

I've got a customer that has a fully paid-for trip to the
TDF with Graham Baxter, but isn't able to go since his son,
who he was going to go with, broke his hip while on a
training ride with him.

The trip details may be found here-
http://www.sportingtours.co.uk/letour/alps2paris2.html

It's a trip for 2 from the Alps to the Pyrenees (and yes,
that means it includes the Alpe d'Huez time trial), from
July 18th to 26th. The price is $3040, quite a bargain for
two. This isn't a luxury trip by any means, nor is there any
hand-holding on Graham Baxter's tours, but they do stay in
reasonably nice places. I rode with them last year and will
be going again this year, by the way (but no, I don't get
anything out of this, I'm just trying to help a very good
customer who literally had a really bad break).

Just for kicks I checked out airfares from SFO-Paris
(leaving on the 17th and returning on the 26th); right now,
they're running about $1400-1500 per person. Unfortunately
this is high season so those fares are not unreasonable
(just high!).

If interested, please reply to me and I'll get you the
customer's name & address so you might work out any details.

Thanks-

--Mike Jacoubowsky Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

Shussbar

Sounds cool but this is disapointing for those that decide
to go without a bike. In this case, they can not go to the
ITT a l Alpe d Huez: From the program of this trip:
"Wednesday 21st July: Today will be one of the most exciting
stages ever seen in the Tour de France, a 15km mountain time
trial up the famous L'Alpe d'Huez and only 4 days from the
finish in Paris!! We anticipate huge traffic problems
accessing Bourg d'Oisans for todays time trial. Therefore
the coach will leave Aix les Bains after an early breakfast
and travel only to Grenoble and those with bikes will be
able to ride from Grenoble to Bourg d'Oisans. Those without
bikes will not be taken to the stage but will be able to
spend the day at leisure in Aix les Bains. After the stage
we shall return on bikes to the coach in Grenoble and then
return to the hotel in Aix les Bains.

OTher than that "details", that sounds like a great fun. .

Mike Jacoubowsk

> Sounds cool but this is disapointing for those that decide to go without a
> bike. In this case, they can not go to the ITT a l Alpe d Huez:

Absolutely correct. If you don't have a bike, you're not
going to be on Alpe d'Huez, but rather watching the race
from a hotel or bar room. It's even possible that *with* a
bike you might be out of luck for that stage, as rumor has
it that they're closing off roads in a wide radius (somebody
said 20 miles???!!!) at 6am... to cars *and* bikes. This has
never been done before, but they're concerned about extreme
crowding on the mountain.

I apologize if it sounded like I was over-selling the trip.
Just trying to help someone out, and, even without actually
being on Alpe d'Huez, it's still one heck of a trip. But, in
general, Graham Baxter tours are not nearly as enjoyable for
those without bikes as they are for those that bring them.

--Mike Jacoubowsky Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member