Viewing le Tour - Questions re: Security

"GaryG" <garyg@shasta_SPAMBEGONE_software.com> schreef in bericht
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

With a bit of luck (and the fact that I'm online so much
:-) ) I was able to secure a booking with Graham Watson
Sporting Tours for their Alps-to-Paris Tour de France tour
in July. I'll be taking my bike and riding some of each
day's stage (L'Alpe d'Huez, here I come!).

But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should
go about

protecting

Quoted message said:

my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I
plan on carrying money and ID (not passport) in one of
those "around the neck" wallets worn under my jersey. But,
I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,

and

Quoted message said:

I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff
in my jersey pockets...especially my digital camera. I
also worry about the bike wandering off during the
excitement of the moment.

Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

~_-* ...G/ \G cyclistats.comcyclistats.comOpen ↗ CycliStats -
Software for Cyclists

Expect everything you also would expect during a sunny
saturday afternoon in a crowded high street. Yes,
pickpockets may be there, as anywhere else (we're European,
which almost equals aliens). A small rucksack may be
effective for your things. I used to climbe on of the small
electricity houses of the EDF (Energy the France) for a good
overview and good photo shooting.

You should leave your bike at your hotel.

When you want to see the Alpe d'Huez finish you'll be
wanting to arrive the day before the event, as during the
day of the event the roads are closed for all traffic.

have phun

--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

Quoted message said:

But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should
go about

protecting

Quoted message said:

my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I
plan on carrying money and ID (not passport) in one of
those "around the neck" wallets worn under my jersey. But,
I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,

and

Quoted message said:

I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff
in my jersey pockets...especially my digital camera. I
also worry about the bike wandering off during the
excitement of the moment.

Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

Gary: I've been to France five times (and will be going
again for the TDF this July) and have found that security
concerns are largely overblown. I've never used a money
belt, nor been aware of any attempts to pickpocket me
(including while traveling a number of times on the metro).
When you're actaully riding to a spot where you'll watch a
stage, your bike will be with you... simple as that. Just
like thousands of others. For most stages, the Graham Baxter
vehicle will be there at the stage, and you'll simply load
your bike up in the trailer.

I've never brought a lock for my bike and, in fact, have
left my bike (along with several others from our group)
outside a relatively busy restaraunt (in a small shopping
center) for an hour, entirely unattended... and it was still
there when we left. Strange, but true.

You may read about my trip with Graham Baxter last year-
chainreaction.comdiaryfrance2003.htmOpen ↗

--Mike Jacoubowsky Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

"Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should
go about

protecting

Quoted message said:

my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I
plan on carrying money and ID (not passport) in one of
those "around the neck" wallets

worn

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about
Euro pickpockets,

and

Quoted message said:

I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff
in my jersey pockets...especially my digital camera. I
also worry about the bike wandering off during the
excitement of the moment.

Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

Gary: I've been to France five times (and will be going
again for the TDF this July) and have found that security
concerns are largely overblown. I've never used a money
belt, nor been aware of any attempts to pickpocket me
(including while traveling a number of times on the
metro). When

you're

Quoted message said:

actaully riding to a spot where you'll watch a stage, your
bike will be

with

Quoted message said:

you... simple as that. Just like thousands of others. For
most stages,

the

Quoted message said:

Graham Baxter vehicle will be there at the stage, and
you'll simply load your bike up in the trailer.

I've never brought a lock for my bike and, in fact, have
left my bike

(along

Quoted message said:

with several others from our group) outside a relatively
busy restaraunt

(in

Quoted message said:

a small shopping center) for an hour, entirely
unattended... and it was still there when we left.
Strange, but true.

You may read about my trip with Graham Baxter last year-
chainreaction.comdiaryfrance2003.htmOpen ↗

--Mike Jacoubowsky Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

I was wondering if my fears were overblown. I had spoken
recently to my fiance's teenage son who travelled in Italy
last summer. He reported several pickpocketing attempts
while he was there, including one by a little old lady who
was "nearly 80 years old" (but, still had quick and deft
hands that she clearly put into his pocket as she brushed by
him on the street).

As for your experiences...wow...you must have some really
good karma!! Perhaps you were a monk in a previous life, eh?
<g> Anyway, it's good to hear that you don't have to stress
over it too much.

GG

"Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should
go about

protecting

Quoted message said:

my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I
plan on carrying money and ID (not passport) in one of
those "around the neck" wallets

worn

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about
Euro pickpockets,

and

Quoted message said:

I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff
in my jersey pockets...especially my digital camera. I
also worry about the bike wandering off during the
excitement of the moment.

Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

Gary: I've been to France five times (and will be going
again for the TDF this July) and have found that security
concerns are largely overblown. I've never used a money
belt, nor been aware of any attempts to pickpocket me
(including while traveling a number of times on the
metro). When

you're

Quoted message said:

actaully riding to a spot where you'll watch a stage, your
bike will be

with

Quoted message said:

you... simple as that. Just like thousands of others. For
most stages,

the

Quoted message said:

Graham Baxter vehicle will be there at the stage, and
you'll simply load your bike up in the trailer.

I've never brought a lock for my bike and, in fact, have
left my bike

(along

Quoted message said:

with several others from our group) outside a relatively
busy restaraunt

(in

Quoted message said:

a small shopping center) for an hour, entirely
unattended... and it was still there when we left.
Strange, but true.

You may read about my trip with Graham Baxter last year-
chainreaction.comdiaryfrance2003.htmOpen ↗

--Mike Jacoubowsky Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

I was wondering if my fears were overblown. I had spoken
recently to my fiance's teenage son who travelled in Italy
last summer. He reported several pickpocketing attempts
while he was there, including one by a little old lady who
was "nearly 80 years old" (but, still had quick and deft
hands that she clearly put into his pocket as she brushed by
him on the street).

As for your experiences...wow...you must have some really
good karma!! Perhaps you were a monk in a previous life, eh?
<g> Anyway, it's good to hear that you don't have to stress
over it too much.

GG

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if my fears were overblown. I had spoken
recently to my fiance's teenage son who travelled in Italy
last summer. He reported several pickpocketing attempts
while he was there, including one by a

little

Quoted message said:

old lady who was "nearly 80 years old" (but, still had
quick and deft

hands

Quoted message said:

that she clearly put into his pocket as she brushed by him
on the street).

For what it's worth, I've heard far more horror stories
about Italy than I have France, particularly areas around
train stations in large cities. My wife & daughter went on a
school trip that spent a bit of time in Italy, and the
stories of the Gypsies, with their cardboard facades held in
front of them so you couldn't see them steal your stuff when
they bumped into you... pretty amazing. I never saw anything
like that in France.

Quoted message said:

As for your experiences...wow...you must have some really
good karma!! Perhaps you were a monk in a previous life,
eh? <g> Anyway, it's good to hear that you don't have to
stress over it too much.

Have you traveled abroad previously? If not, don't dwell on
the things that might go wrong. Look forward to having a
great time. The experience is amazing... although, frankly,
you can remain fairly isolated from it when you're on an
organized tour. And don't get too hung up on everything
working out a certain way, especially on a Graham Baxter
tour. Sometimes the itinerary bears little resemblance to
reality, but it's the changes and surprises that often bring
the most memorable experiences.

Which level of Alpes-to-Paris tour are you doing
(standard/deluxe/luxury)?

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if my fears were overblown. I had spoken
recently to my fiance's teenage son who travelled in
Italy last summer. He reported several pickpocketing
attempts while he was there, including one by a

little

Quoted message said:

old lady who was "nearly 80 years old" (but, still had
quick and deft

hands

Quoted message said:

that she clearly put into his pocket as she brushed by
him on the

street).

Quoted message said:

For what it's worth, I've heard far more horror stories
about Italy than I have France, particularly areas around
train stations in large cities. My wife & daughter went on
a school trip that spent a bit of time in Italy,

and

Quoted message said:

the stories of the Gypsies, with their cardboard facades
held in front of them so you couldn't see them steal your
stuff when they bumped into

you...

Quoted message said:

pretty amazing. I never saw anything like that in France.

Quoted message said:

As for your experiences...wow...you must have some
really good karma!! Perhaps you were a monk in a
previous life, eh? <g> Anyway, it's good

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hear that you don't have to stress over it too much.

Have you traveled abroad previously? If not, don't dwell
on the things

that

Quoted message said:

might go wrong. Look forward to having a great time. The
experience is amazing... although, frankly, you can remain
fairly isolated from it when you're on an organized tour.
And don't get too hung up on everything working out a
certain way, especially on a Graham Baxter tour. Sometimes
the itinerary bears little resemblance to reality, but
it's the changes

and

Quoted message said:

surprises that often bring the most memorable experiences.

Thanks...I normally have an Alfred E. Neuman attitude
("What, me worry?"😉, and rarely has it or my guardian angel
let me down. I sense that the GB tour may be somewhat
"eccentric", but I'm really looking forward to it (the price
was very reasonable compared to Trek Travel, for instance).
Most of my tours in the past have been of the cheaper do-most-of-it-
yourself variety
(e.g., Bicycle Tour of Colorado), with camping option.

Quoted message said:

Which level of Alpes-to-Paris tour are you doing
(standard/deluxe/luxury)?

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such a
zoo this year due to the TT, and for the chance to have
dinner with Bob Roll and Graham Watson, I booked the
luxury tour (it filled up within 24 hours of being
announced). We'll be spending 3 nights on l'Alpe d'Huez,
about 1 km from the finish line...and, yes, I am
completely stoked to be going!

Quoted message said:

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such a
zoo this year

due

Quoted message said:

to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob Roll
and Graham Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it filled up
within 24 hours of being announced). We'll be spending 3
nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km from the finish
line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be going!

Sounds like you're doing the same tour I am... and yes, I
signed up about an hour after it went on-line (I was
expecting it to go fast!). I'll be the guy taking a zillion
photos with a digital camera while riding... and also
heading back to my room in the evenings to update our
website each day with photos from the TDF (which is why I
went for a single room, along with the fact that it wouldn't
be fair for someone else to have to put up with my
snoring!).

--Mike Jacoubowsky Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

"GaryG" <garyg@shasta_SPAMBEGONE_software.com> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if my fears were overblown. I had
spoken recently to

my

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

fiance's teenage son who travelled in Italy last
summer. He reported several pickpocketing attempts
while he was there, including one by a

little

Quoted message said:

old lady who was "nearly 80 years old" (but, still had
quick and deft

hands

Quoted message said:

that she clearly put into his pocket as she brushed by
him on the

street).

Quoted message said:

For what it's worth, I've heard far more horror stories
about Italy than

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

have France, particularly areas around train stations in
large cities.

My

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

wife & daughter went on a school trip that spent a bit
of time in Italy,

and

Quoted message said:

the stories of the Gypsies, with their cardboard facades
held in front

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

them so you couldn't see them steal your stuff when they
bumped into

you...

Quoted message said:

pretty amazing. I never saw anything like that in
France.

Quoted message said:

As for your experiences...wow...you must have some
really good karma!! Perhaps you were a monk in a
previous life, eh? <g> Anyway, it's good

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hear that you don't have to stress over it too much.

Have you traveled abroad previously? If not, don't dwell
on the things

that

Quoted message said:

might go wrong. Look forward to having a great time. The
experience is amazing... although, frankly, you can
remain fairly isolated from it

when

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you're on an organized tour. And don't get too hung up
on everything working out a certain way, especially on a
Graham Baxter tour.

Sometimes

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the itinerary bears little resemblance to reality, but
it's the changes

and

Quoted message said:

surprises that often bring the most memorable
experiences.

Thanks...I normally have an Alfred E. Neuman attitude
("What, me worry?"😉, and rarely has it or my guardian
angel let me down. I sense that the GB tour may be
somewhat "eccentric", but I'm really looking forward to it

(the

Quoted message said:

price was very reasonable compared to Trek Travel, for
instance). Most of my tours in the past have been of the
cheaper do-most-of-it-yourself

variety

Quoted message said:

(e.g., Bicycle Tour of Colorado), with camping option.

Quoted message said:

Which level of Alpes-to-Paris tour are you doing

(standard/deluxe/luxury)?

Quoted message said:

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such a
zoo this year

due

Quoted message said:

to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob Roll
and Graham Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it filled up
within 24 hours of being announced). We'll be spending 3
nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km from the finish
line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be going!

Quoted message said:

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such a
zoo this year

due

Quoted message said:

to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob Roll
and Graham Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it filled up
within 24 hours of being announced). We'll be spending 3
nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km from the finish
line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be going!

Sounds like you're doing the same tour I am... and yes, I
signed up about an hour after it went on-line (I was
expecting it to go fast!). I'll be the guy taking a zillion
photos with a digital camera while riding... and also
heading back to my room in the evenings to update our
website each day with photos from the TDF (which is why I
went for a single room, along with the fact that it wouldn't
be fair for someone else to have to put up with my
snoring!).

--Mike Jacoubowsky Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

"GaryG" <garyg@shasta_SPAMBEGONE_software.com> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if my fears were overblown. I had
spoken recently to

my

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

fiance's teenage son who travelled in Italy last
summer. He reported several pickpocketing attempts
while he was there, including one by a

little

Quoted message said:

old lady who was "nearly 80 years old" (but, still had
quick and deft

hands

Quoted message said:

that she clearly put into his pocket as she brushed by
him on the

street).

Quoted message said:

For what it's worth, I've heard far more horror stories
about Italy than

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

have France, particularly areas around train stations in
large cities.

My

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

wife & daughter went on a school trip that spent a bit
of time in Italy,

and

Quoted message said:

the stories of the Gypsies, with their cardboard facades
held in front

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

them so you couldn't see them steal your stuff when they
bumped into

you...

Quoted message said:

pretty amazing. I never saw anything like that in
France.

Quoted message said:

As for your experiences...wow...you must have some
really good karma!! Perhaps you were a monk in a
previous life, eh? <g> Anyway, it's good

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hear that you don't have to stress over it too much.

Have you traveled abroad previously? If not, don't dwell
on the things

that

Quoted message said:

might go wrong. Look forward to having a great time. The
experience is amazing... although, frankly, you can
remain fairly isolated from it

when

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you're on an organized tour. And don't get too hung up
on everything working out a certain way, especially on a
Graham Baxter tour.

Sometimes

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the itinerary bears little resemblance to reality, but
it's the changes

and

Quoted message said:

surprises that often bring the most memorable
experiences.

Thanks...I normally have an Alfred E. Neuman attitude
("What, me worry?"😉, and rarely has it or my guardian
angel let me down. I sense that the GB tour may be
somewhat "eccentric", but I'm really looking forward to it

(the

Quoted message said:

price was very reasonable compared to Trek Travel, for
instance). Most of my tours in the past have been of the
cheaper do-most-of-it-yourself

variety

Quoted message said:

(e.g., Bicycle Tour of Colorado), with camping option.

Quoted message said:

Which level of Alpes-to-Paris tour are you doing

(standard/deluxe/luxury)?

Quoted message said:

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such a
zoo this year

due

Quoted message said:

to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob Roll
and Graham Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it filled up
within 24 hours of being announced). We'll be spending 3
nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km from the finish
line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be going!

Quoted message said:

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

On Thu, 20 May 2004 20:03:24 GMT, "Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction

Bicycles said:

Quoted message said:

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such
a zoo this year

due

Quoted message said:

to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob
Roll and Graham Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it
filled up within 24 hours of being announced). We'll
be spending 3 nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km from
the finish line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to
be going!

Sounds like you're doing the same tour I am... and yes, I
signed up about an hour after it went on-line (I was
expecting it to go fast!). I'll be the guy taking a zillion
photos with a digital camera while riding... and also
heading back to my room in the evenings to update our
website each day with photos from the TDF (which is why I
went for a single room, along with the fact that it
wouldn't be fair for someone else to have to put up with my
snoring!).

Hi Mike. I hope you'll keep a verbose and keen journal and
thrill us all with your exploits.

BTW, I have a Metallic Black Trek 7500FX being brought in
for me from out in the mid-west by my LBS guys, and they've
promised to handle me with kid-gloves and see I get top-
drawer treatment wrt the fitting.

Wow, what a world, eh?

I blame this all on you. <big grin> Thanks buddy.

best, -B

Quoted message said:

--Mike Jacoubowsky Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

"Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such
a zoo this year

due

Quoted message said:

to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob
Roll and Graham Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it
filled up within 24 hours of being announced). We'll be
spending 3 nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km

from

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the finish line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be
going!

Sounds like you're doing the same tour I am... and yes, I
signed up about

an

Quoted message said:

hour after it went on-line (I was expecting it to go
fast!). I'll be the guy taking a zillion photos with a
digital camera while riding... and also heading back to my
room in the evenings to update our website each day

with

Quoted message said:

photos from the TDF (which is why I went for a single
room, along with the fact that it wouldn't be fair for
someone else to have to put up with my snoring!).

--Mike Jacoubowsky Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

Cool...look forward to meeting you there. I've enjoyed your
postings and your website for quite some time. In fact, it
was your comments on Graham Baxter's tours that convinced me
to book with his company.

I'll be the bald guy with a goatee on a black Trek 5200
(shastasoftware.comBTC0035.htmOpen ↗ ).

~_-* ...G/ \G cyclistats.comcyclistats.comOpen ↗ CycliStats -
Software for Cyclists

Quoted message said:

"GaryG" <garyg@shasta_SPAMBEGONE_software.com> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message -"]news:[email hidden]-
gy.com...

Quoted message said:

> I was wondering if my fears were overblown. I had
> spoken recently

to

Quoted message said:

my

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> fiance's teenage son who travelled in Italy last
> summer. He

reported

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> several pickpocketing attempts while he was there,
> including one by

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

little
> old lady who was "nearly 80 years old" (but, still
> had quick and

deft

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hands
> that she clearly put into his pocket as she brushed
> by him on the

street).

Quoted message said:

For what it's worth, I've heard far more horror
stories about Italy

than

Quoted message said:

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

have France, particularly areas around train stations
in large cities.

My

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

wife & daughter went on a school trip that spent a bit
of time in

Italy,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and

Quoted message said:

the stories of the Gypsies, with their cardboard
facades held in front

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

them so you couldn't see them steal your stuff when
they bumped into

you...

Quoted message said:

pretty amazing. I never saw anything like that in
France.

> As for your experiences...wow...you must have some
> really good

karma!!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Perhaps you were a monk in a previous life, eh? <g>
> Anyway, it's

good

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to

Quoted message said:

> hear that you don't have to stress over it too much.

Have you traveled abroad previously? If not, don't
dwell on the

things

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that

Quoted message said:

might go wrong. Look forward to having a great time.
The experience

is

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

amazing... although, frankly, you can remain fairly
isolated from it

when

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you're on an organized tour. And don't get too hung up
on everything working out a certain way, especially on
a Graham Baxter tour.

Sometimes

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the itinerary bears little resemblance to reality, but
it's the

changes

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and

Quoted message said:

surprises that often bring the most memorable
experiences.

Thanks...I normally have an Alfred E. Neuman attitude
("What, me

worry?"😉,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and rarely has it or my guardian angel let me down. I
sense that the GB tour may be somewhat "eccentric", but
I'm really looking forward to it

(the

Quoted message said:

price was very reasonable compared to Trek Travel, for
instance). Most

of

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my tours in the past have been of the cheaper do-most-of-it-
yourself

variety

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(e.g., Bicycle Tour of Colorado), with camping option.

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Which level of Alpes-to-Paris tour are you doing

(standard/deluxe/luxury)?

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Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such
a zoo this year

due

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to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob
Roll and Graham Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it
filled up within 24 hours of being announced). We'll be
spending 3 nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km

from

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the finish line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be
going!

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--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

GaryG said:

I'll be the bald guy with a goatee on a black Trek 5200

You painted a beard on your bike?!?

Bill "slow afternoon" S.