March 2007

UPCOMING EVENTS

Cycling

March 11-18 Paris - Nice (live coverage)
March 24 Milano - San Remo
April 8 Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres (Belgium)
April 11 Gent - Wevelgem (Belgium)
April 15 Paris - Roubaix (France)
April 22 Amstel Gold Race (Netherlands)
April 25 La Flèche Wallonne (Belgium)
April 29 Liège - Bastogne - Liège (Belgium)

Travel

Girona Flower Power - May 12 -20; Monuments, spaces and gardens are decorated with flowers, ornamentations and artistic installations. Public and private courtyards and gardens are opened to all, and exhibitions and concerts are held. http://en.costabrava.org/main/home.aspx

French Open Tennis Tournament
27 May - 10 June 2007; This is in Paris at the Roland Garros stadium. http://www.rolandgarros.com/

1757 - 250th Anniversary of the birth of the Marquis de La Fayette
Born in the Auvergne region of France on the 6th of September, 1757, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de La Fayette, spent the majority of his life fighting for democratic ideals in the US and France. Known as the "Hero of Two Worlds" La Fayette was inspired by his friend, Benjamin Franklin, to join the American cause.
La Fayette invested his fortune in a frigate, the Hermoine, that sailed to the aid of George Washington in 1777, and named his own son George Washington du Motier after his close friend. In 1780, the Marquis assumed the role of general, joining General Washington and the Count of Rochambeau in battle against the English.
For events in the U.S. visit www.marquisdelafayette2007.com.

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WEB LINKS

http://www.routepyrenees.com/velo.htm - Trans-Pyreneen bike route

http://www.parcsnationaux.org/visites/flash.asp?b_langue=en - National Parks of France including Ecrins in the Bourg d'Oisans area

www.parismarathon.com April 15; Watch as nearly 35,000 participants run the 42km race to achieve their own individual goals. The start is at 8:45 am on the Champs-Elysées and runs via Bastille, Nation, and the Tuileries.

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PROMOTION - Take our Survey and be eligible to win our 2007 Cycling Classics jersey! Survey - follow this link to our MARCH SURVEY

TRAVEL TIPS:

A common question we get is, "what is the best way to reach Alpe d'Huez and the region"? The answer to this has a lot of variables actually. If you are traveling with your bike, then we think it is best to fly into Lyon. This would require at least 1 plane change in Europe. The upside is that you don't have to schlep your bike onto trains and hope for the best with space in the luggage racks. The downside is changes of planes increase delayed baggage. Once at Lyon airport, you can rent a car and drive 2 hours to Bourg d'Oisans, or take the Satobus from the airport to Grenoble bus station and connect by bus.

If you are renting a bike, then the answer is a little more flexible. Flying into Paris, Lyon, or Geneva is possible. The TGV train from CDG airport to Lyon central stations is 2 hours. Direct TGV from Paris downtown to Grenoble is longer at about 3 hours but fewer direct trains. Renting a car in Grenoble, Lyon or Geneva is an option. Note; if you rent in Geneva, specify to pickup on the French side of the border to avoid higher fees.

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