Inspired by the Tour de France (taking place now until 22 July) to set off on your own cycling expedition across France?
Discover Adventure offers a selection of Tour de France-themed cycling trips, ranging from moderate to tough and suitable for beginners who are prepared to train. And cyclists can heighten their sense of achievement by raising money for charity at the same time if they wish.
Here’s a selection of Tour de France-themed cycling trips available with Discover Adventure:
Nine-day Pyrenees coast-to-coast cycle trip – NEW for 2013
Cycle the mountains made famous by the Tour de France – celebrating its 100th edition in 2013. Journey across the Pyrenees, all the way from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean coast, setting off from France’s most south-westerly town, Hendaye, and finishing at Argeles sur Mer in the south of France. Conquer numerous steep cols every day, including the Col d’Aubisque (1709m high and first appearing in the Tour de France in 1910) and the famous Col du Tourmalet (2115m high). Departing 15 June and 7 September 2013, the trip includes eight nights’ hotel accommodation, most meals, airport transfers and Discover Adventure leaders (flights extra). Payment options are either £826 pp or there’s a fundraising target of £2,065 pp (£299 registration fee applies).
Five-day Classic Cols of the Tour de France cycle race
Tackle the toughest mountain climbs of the Tour de France on this exhilarating cycle trip across the heart of the French Alps. Witness spectacular views of mountain peaks, alpine valleys and hanging glaciers, finishing the trip by taking on two of the toughest and most renowned ascents in the region – the Col du Galibier and Alpe D’Huez. The trip includes four nights’ hotel accommodation, airport transfers, most meals and Discover Adventure leaders (flights extra). Departing 20 September 2012 and 27 June and 19 September 2013, participants pay £580 pp (£600 pp for 2013 departures) or there’s a fundraising target of £1,450 pp (£1,500 pp for 2013 departures) (£149 registration fee applies).
Five-day London to Paris cycle trips:
The Tour de France culminates in style in Paris every year. Cycle from London to Paris on one of Europe’s greatest cycle routes, adventuring through Kent’s rolling countryside, across the English Channel and through the quaint villages and medieval market towns of Northern France, passing poignant war grave cemeteries. With long days and some demanding hill climbs, nothing evokes a better sense of success than reaching this trip’s finishing point – the iconic sight of the Eiffel Tower. The trip includes four nights’ accommodation (2-3 star hotels), transport (ferry and Eurostar), most meals and Discover Adventure leaders. Various departures available from July to September 2012 and from May to September 2013. Participants pay £620 pp (£660 pp for 2013 departures) or there’s a fundraising target of £1,550 pp (£1,650 pp for 2013 departures) (£149 registration fee applies).
Or witness the final stage of next year’s Tour de France (17-21 July 2013) as part of a five-day London to Paris charity cycle trip on behalf of Action Medical Research. This trip is so popular it’s sold out for 2012 – so get in early if you want to do it next year! The trip sets off from Tower Bridge through the Kent countryside, crossing the Channel on a ferry and continuing through the medieval market towns of Northern France. Participants finish at the Eiffel Tower and can then admire the cycling elite completing the 100th edition of the Tour de France on the Champs-Élysées. Departing 17 July 2013, the trip includes four nights’ accommodation (2-3 star hotels), most meals, transport (ferry and Eurostar) and Discover Adventure leaders. Participants raise money for Action Medical Research and there’s a fundraising target of £1,400 pp (£140 registration fee applies).
Please contact Discover Adventure for 2014 departures and prices.
For further information about Discover Adventure, visit www.discoveradventure.com, telephone 01722 718444, or email info@discoveradventure.com.
Ends – 5 July 2012
Press: For further information, high-resolution images or to interview the adventure expert Jonathan Bryan, Managing Director of Discover Adventure, please contact Stephanie Reed at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email s.reed@travelpr.co.uk