15th L'Etape du Tour
Well, it's now been published. The full stage list for the 2007 Tour
de France, which also means that the date, stage and profile for the
2007 (15th) Edition of the l'Etape du Tour is now public.
You can find details on the official website at: http://www.letapedutour.com/2006/us/index_2007.htm
It looks like a challenging ride, but then after last years Alpe D'Huez summit finish you wouldn't expect anything less. 196km in the Pyrenees between Fox and Loudenvielle with no less than 5 Cols enroute. The ride will take place on closed roads on Monday 16th July. The pro's will ride it a week later as Stage 15 of the Tour.
We have had members from the VCN complete this blue ribbon sportive each of the last couple of years and some members are making noises about riding it in 2007.
Interested? Want to know how to get one of the coveted 8,500 places? Well, basically you have to sign up with one of a handful of registered Tour Operators. There are four or so UK Tour Ops that can provide various levels of accommodation and travel packages to get you to the start and collect you from the finish.
An alternative is to get onto a training camp with one of the British Tour Ops. This will get you an 'entry only' slot and then leave you to sort out your own travel and accommodation. This will give you more freedom and possibly also be cheaper. Besides you'll also benefit from a lot of useful advice at the training camp. I attended both a Sports Tours International one (that's how I got my place this year) and also a Graham Baxter one (that's Sporting Tours). Links to both organisations can be found on l'Etape du Tour website above.
Having completed earlier this year Ross Campbell is interested in riding again next year. If you can get a group together then that would certainly aid a 'self travel' group. I'd love to do it, but my focus will be on the Swiss Ironman at the end of June.
l'Etape du Legende
Also being publicised on l'Etape site is a new event in September next
year. A new sportive that follows the route of a legendary stage of a
previous Tour.
For it's first edition l'Etape du Legende will trace the defining stage of the 1968 Tour from Strasbourg to the summit finish on the Ballon d'Alsace on 23rd September. La Marmot
La Marmot
If you still hanker after an Alpe D'Huez summit finish, what about la
Marmot. Whilst it may not be closed roads, this event which is arguably the toughest single day takes place in July.
Other Oversea Events:
UK Events
Don't want to go overseas? Want to do some UK events as prep for
l'Etape, Alps Trips, Ironman, general training then what about these:
Fred Whitton Challenge - toughest sportive in the UK and fills within
days of opening: http://www.fredwhittonchallenge.org.uk/
Entries opened on 8th Jan for this Lake District event that takes place Sunday 13th
May. Entries are now full.
Etape du Dales - A tough 110 mile sportive in the Yorkshire Dales -
Entries opened 8th Jan and is now full.
www.etapedudales.co.uk
Tour of Wessex - 3 day UK event, or just choose anyone of the 3 day rides if you prefer. 325 miles in 3 days over the Whitsun bank holiday weekend. Great mileage for your legs: http://www.tourofwessex.com/
Costwold Circuit - We had three members enter this event last year. Two different distances to choose between, with one particularly notable hill half way round the longer route: http://www.circuitofthecotswolds.org/index.php
London to Paris - I've done this 4 day 300mile (500k) charity ride each of the last three years. It's great fun and you end up in Paris in time to see the final stage of the Tour de France. Action Medical Research
Alternative London to Paris - This version of London to Paris has caught my eye. 600k in 3 days with a rolling road block for the two days in
France. ;-) that could be an absolute hoot and starts on my birthday shame it's four days after the Swiss Ironman (maybe in 2008 for my
40th?): www.londres-paris.com
Sorry, that's overseas really.
Then of course there are charity rides:
And road races.
Oh and then of course there are also the Audax rides, and next year is the quadrennial Paris-Brest-Paris.
Should be enough riding for us all in 2007.