Provence & “The Giant” Mont Ventoux
Join IdleFast for a cycling adventure in Provence, France scheduled for July, 2012. The highlight of the trip will be the ascent of “The Giant” – Mont Ventoux, one of the most epic and famous climbs in all of cycling. Our day riding the Ventoux is sure to be among the most amazing cycling days you will enjoy. After climbing The Giant we then descend passing by picturesque Provence lavender fields, through several charming villages, and then ride next to a lovely gorge and back home. To prepare you for this exceptional day we will take in other wonderful rides in the shadow of Ventoux in the beautiful rolling hills of the Vaucluse region of Provence.
Our goal at IdleFast is not only excite you with challenging riding but to spoil you with 5 star accommodations, food and hospitality. You will be staying at the beautiful Hotel Chateau de Mazan www.chateaudemazan.com. After the afternoon on the bike you can enjoy a number of other activities; a luxurious pool on site, famous spas, restaurants and nightlife in the many picturesque villages near the villa.
Your time in France would not be complete if you did not take part in the wonderful cuisine the region has to offer. From the time you arrive at Chateau de Mazan to the time you leave you will be treated to flavors of the region being prepared with produce, meats, breads and wines purchased daily at the local markets.
Our trips are unique in that we offer a great week of riding and expose you to a “Day in the Life” experience of what it is like to train and ride like a professional! To ensure you will get the most out of your trip, IdleFast will create a personalized training program that will set reachable goals to enhance your experience.
Have a friend, spouse or family member that would like to join in on the experience, but who may not have as much passion for the bike as you do? No problem! We are offering a great program which includes a discount for couples or groups of two sharing a room. Your companion will love the region for its beauty in addition to ample shopping, sightseeing and relaxing activities. We promise to make their experience off the bike as great as yours on the bike[A1] .
Your Guides
Lance Ohlsson has raced as a professional and amateur road and mountain bike cyclist for over 25 years following competing in speed skating during his teens[r2] . During his [r3] career Lance has numerous State and Regional Championships as well as placing in national and international competitions including; National Team Time Trial, National and International Mountain Bike Championships, Olympic Pursuit Qualifications, pro-am stage races and National Prestige Series events. Presently Lance is the reigning Maryland State Mountain Bike Champion.
Lance is a USA Cycling Certified Coach working with competitive and non-competitive riders as well as developing cycling seminars, clinics and cycling events nationally and internationally with a focus on enhancing and improving the cycling experience.
Robert Murillo competed in pro-am racing with various trade teams. During his career Robert qualified and competed in several National Championships in both Road and Team Time Trial and competed in 100s of races, including the National Prestige Series, Superweek, the Tour of Michigan, the Tour of Denver, and the Tour of British Columbia. Robert also raced in Europe with teams based in Amsterdam and Monaco.
After his cycling career, Robert earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the University of Chicago and then his law degree in New York. Robert lives and practices law in Boulder, Colorado. He is active in the cycling community and participates in many local rides and also mentoring new racers.
Robert enjoys [r4] frequent travel and has ridden in Europe through many of the famous mountain passes in the Pyrenees, Alps, and Dolomite's. [r5]
Trip Details
What: 7 days of cycling adventures in Provence riding various scenic routes in the region and culminating with the exceptional day riding Mont Ventoux
Optional: 5 Tour de France Experience:
Extend your trip and experience the Tour de France. See Andy and Frank Schleck battle Cadel Evans
and Alberto Contador up the Col du Grand Colombier.
· Following your stay near Mont Ventoux we will drive into the Alps to ride part of and witness three stages of the TDF (stages 9 and 10, mid-mountain, time trial and high mountan)
· Lodging will be in the small towns along the route to immerse you in the excitement of the tour
· Fee include: transportation, lodging, guided rides and race knowledge expertise. Please note: meals are not included in the fee
When: Arrive: Saturday, June 30th Depart: Saturday, July 7th Where: Mazan - Provence; Vaucluse region; near Pernes les Fontaines, France, which will serve as our “base camp” centered in the area of riding.
In the shadow of Mont Ventoux and within 10 minutes of a number of picture perfect Provence villages lies Chateau de Mazan. As you wake in the morning with the anticipation of some of the most beautiful rides you will ever experience, the smell of fresh brewed coffee, and the customary local breakfast of baguettes, cheese, fruit and pain au chocolate will be just the start of one of many of your best days. You will not forget your experience here.
Rides: Our base camp at Chateau de Mazan was chosen due to the diversity of rides available from the property. Located at the base of Mont Ventoux in the Vaucluse region of Provence, the area offers hundreds of miles of wonderful rolling rides with Mont Ventoux nearby. The diversity and opportunity for designing custom rides in this area makes it perfectly suited to meet your riding objectives. Want a day off the bike? No problem? The property surrounding the villa and nearby villages offer plenty of things to do.
Price: Price is per person with the following inclusions: $5,100
(Additional riding or non-riding person double occupancy: Add $1,400 totaling $6,500)
Three day Tour de France option: $1,500 per person for single occupancy or $1,900 per couple for double occupancy.
Inclusions:
· Pre event training schedule (Starting in January)
· Transportation to and from Geneva
· Single or double occupancy lodging for 7 nights
· 7 days of guided riding with professional coach/Pro cyclists
· 6 Chef prepared dinners (one night out on the town, not included in price) and all breakfast and lunches at the villa are included
· Coaching and ride events daily
· Wine Night event: Enjoy wines from the region pared with local cuisine favorites
· Bike maintenance included
· Full IdleFast kit (jersey and bibs/shorts)
Additional Options:
· Bike rental (Carbon, Ti Campy or Dura Ace) $300.00
· Massage $150
· Market shopping day/cooking class with local chef $ 100
· Additional companion ($1,400 includes all meals and amenities)
Non-Inclusions:
· Flight & bike transportation
· Wine & liquor
· 1 dinner in a local Provence restaurant
· Bike rental – Available for $300 for the week (Carbon fiber/titanium pro bikes avail)
Itinerary:
Standard Trip:
Saturday Arrival in Geneva (TGV), shuttle to Chateau de Mazan
Welcome ride 20-40 miles – Ventoux valley: flat with rolling hills
Sunday Pernes-les-Fontaines Loop: 50-60 mile ride – East of Pernes-les-Fontaines: Rolling to moderate hills.
Monday Les Baux – St. Remy Loop: 40 mile ride – South/West of villa: 3-2 mile climbs through towns
Tuesday Mont Ventoux: 65 mile ride with 21km of climbing up the Tour route from Bedoin to the summit of Mont Ventoux- one BIG climb!
Wednesday Recovery Ride: 20 miles - Ventoux valley: Take it easy…..
Thursday Nyons Ride: 60 miles – Rolling to hilly
Friday Ventoux Loop: 60-80 mile – Rolling to moderate climbs
Saturday Depart from Geneva
Dates to Remember:
January 1st: Yellow Jersey Registration Date: 5% discount
(IdleFast must receive 50% trip fee prior to January 1st to receive discount)
March 1st: Last day for 50% trip deposit refund for cancellations
13th: Austin Cycling Camp; details to be announced
April 1st: Last day for 25% trip deposit refund for cancellations
May 1st: Final payment due. No refunds after this date
11th: Boulder, CO Cycling Camp; details to be announced
[A1]I would then include a sentence here that says something about how you will accommodate these people. EX: will a staff member be around to show them around or pick them up or what. This needs to be a brief snapshot, in one or two sentences that explains that. [r2]I would list your athletic accomplishments in chronological order, thus putting speed skating near the bottom [r3]Do you want to speak form the third person perspective or as Lance? Being that you are the company head and CEO, I think you should consider a uniform way throughout all your documents. I don’t think it necessarily matters one way or another but you should pick and stay with that theme throughout. [r4]Word choice: you used enjoys twice at the end and beginning of paragraphs. Consider revising. [r5]This whole sentence can be put somewhere within the above text because it says more about his cycling expertise. Consider revising this.
