SUBSCRIBE:          

About Us


Cycling Classics - we do just exactly what our name implies: challenging bicycle tours over the famous and classic routes of the most well known bicycle races. But, we also bring the famous mountain climbs of these pro events to amateur riders in a self-guided format, and we organize group guided tours for private parties as well.

We are based in the south of France and in the southwest USA. Our France office is both a bike shop and logistics management center for all tours we have throughout France. Our USA office is the sales and front end operation for customers worldwide. We have been selling bicycle tours in France, Spain, and Belgium for more than 16 years independently under Discover France, and 2010 will marks the 6th year for the Cycling Classics brand. Our staff is experienced, our contacts many, and our services top notch! Our years of tour operation go into this effort, and the combination of companies brings it to you at an exceptional price!

Cycling Classics is owned by Discover France; the company is licensed and insured. Independently, Discover France carry $1M+ insurance policies. IATAN, BBB, FGTO, Maison de La France, ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association) are just a few of the organizations we are part of or work with to meet high standards in business and travel. If you want to know what all these acronyms mean, and want to contact them to verify, let us know by email and we will send you contact info. To know more about us, our references, testimonials and the like visit this page: our Testimonials page too where you will find links to Bike Tour Reviews and reviews on the ATTA website.

Cycling Classics, Discover France and Pure Adventures supports youth development cycling in the USA at Race Lab U23 cycling, and the Lance Armstrong foundation through the Tour of Hope and Peleton Project. We support MS 150 riders, and we donate to the International School of Arizona, the Arizona Wilderness Coalition, the Vietnam Veterans Assn of the Valley, Handlebar Helpers of Scottsdale, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

In 2007 and 2008, LRB Flagship contributed almost $18,000 from all tours, with a small portion of each tour sale. Our contribution was to Sustainable Travel International making our tours CARBON NEUTRAL in effort to help slow the devastation being caused by global warming. Our carbon offsets cover the tours only, more information on how you can contribute will be included in your travel documents. In 2009 and 2010 our brands continue to support Sustainable Travel International with our ongoing membership and onsite efforts to minimize impact on the environment.

Tour Operators/Travel Agents - we can supply services for custom group requests under your brand - see details...We currently provide tour services to some of the world's best known travel brands.

MEDIA:

Journalists and media outlets - please consult this link for up to date contact info, story info, images, and more:

NEWSLETTER

we send out a quarterly e-newsletter, but more regularly post information and current news to our Blogs and to Facebook. editions, go here.

JOBS

We are not currently looking to fill positions, but we always encourage good people to send a CV. Note to guide prospects: We only hire "certified" guides (diplome d'etat). To forward your CV, send only in PDF and contact us by email.

THE TEAM

STAFF:

USA and FRANCE based personnel who will ensure your satisfaction throughout your journey:

Loren Etape Cycling

Loren Siekman - Scottsdale/USA
President/Founder of Discover France. Marketing, business development, CFO. Former expat resident of Paris; bilingual French English, has cycled/hiked extensively throughout France. Races MTB, road, cross. Graduate of Arizona State University; lives in Scottsdale.

Thomas Boutin - Gerant/Director of France company, Responsible for France offices, bike shop, business development, Tour de France liason, Bike School, as well as corporate team building programs, incentives, youth camps, vehicles, and our bike fleet. Former Top 10 MTB French Pro cyclist. Thomas was awarded a top business honor for entrepreneurs of small business in 2010.

shy maggie

Magali Badio - Scottsdale
Vice President of Operations; Oversees both offices in France and USA, Group Sales Manager, Tour de France project leader, reservations systems manager, and all around chearleader! Native of Bayonne, France. Fluent in French, English, and conversational Spanish.

discover france guide

Thibaut Boutin - Bike Shop Manager - mechanics, equipment, seminars, team building, events, logistic, bike store sales, certified professional guide. Semi pro mountain biker, road racer, and cross racing.

Aurelien Banciot - Manager Bike School and Guide Service, manages bikes, seminars, team building, events, logistics. Certified professional guide, cat 1 road racer, downhill racer, mountain bike, cross racing.

David Renvoise - Sales Consultant & Tour Logistics, Emergency Support. Masters degree in sports management and marketing, professional cycling guide, bilingual French/English, top 40 finisher 2 times at Etape du Tour. Best memory finishing 26th at the Leadville 100 in 2009.

Sebastien Rambour - Loire Valley; all tour support, route development, logistics, orientations. Speaks French, English, Spanish. Has an engineering degree but decided bicycle touring was much more interesting (after a career at Alstom). Has traveled in many countries of the world by bike. He once cooked his dinner on a geyser!

kristin discover france adventures

Kristin O'Connell - recent graduate of Arizona State University, bilingual French/English. Tour Sales Consultant and Tour de France sales in our USA offices. Kristin lived and studied in Grenoble in the Rhone Alpes. She is active outdoors and of course a cyclist!

Ramona Nunez - Sales Consultant, recent college graduate and bilingual in French & English, Ramona also handles Paris sales. science. Bilingual French/English.

Ryan Cullinan - Marketing Coordinator, recent hire and graduae of TCU, Ryan brings a business education and international travel experience to her position. Ryan is a triathlete currently moving up to Olympic distance! Sign up to get our Enews or Facebook blogs, Ryan keeps you informed!

cycling france

Francois - Professional cycling guide, tour orientations, route book preparation, tour sales and support, Tour de France logistics coordinator. Bilingual French/English, Francois works in the France office. Key hobby includes knocking heads on the rugby field!

Wendy & Elsa - Wendy works in our USA office and Elsa in the France office handling the vast majority of our book keeping and accounting functions as well as reservation system data management, tour documentation. Pictured is Elsa, Wendy will have to be taken by surprise!

Elodie Rodrigues - Tour logistics support, back office support. An intern, Elodie is bilingual French/English and works in the France office.

Julien - certified professional guide (diplome d'etat), bilingual French/English. Julien leads trips for our tour operator clients and is a specialist in all the area of Mont Ventoux where he has covered nearly all the terrain. Julien likes to do hand stands from the roof mounted bike carriers we have on our vans.

Patrick- certified professional guide (diplome d'etat), bilingual French/English. Patrick is an accomplished ironman triathlete and professional ski guide in winter. Nicknamed Ninja by our clients for getting them up all the big mountains of the Tour de France!

Jade - certified professional guide (diplome d'etat), bilingual French/English. She is actually an American transplant in France who studied in France and obtained all her diplomas. Also a very accomplished female racer and works our Tour de France tours.

placeholder

Other Guides- not pictured (for now!) - Jean Francois, Martin, Olivier, : all certified professional guides (diplome d'etat - issued by the French Government), bilingual French/English; lead groups on private guided tours and for our tour operator clients. They also conduct orientations.

Our Mechanics - Greg and Seb located in the bike shop in Lunel. Competent professionals looking after every bike - rentals and new sales!