LANCE Retires Again & More

Well Lance has quit cycling and triathlon as well. He said it was time, and I understand that. when I sold The Bicycle Outfitter in 2004, I knew it was time, and Outfitter Bicycle Tours in 2010 was the same. Most of us know when it is time to quit. For Lance, who trains lik...e no one else, how the heck can he raise 5 kids and really "be with them" as they grow. It was a good decision. I wish that Fed Prosecutor would go find something better to do. It does no one any good but the prosecutor. I think that is what it is really about.

Lets talk about the Tour de France in 2011. Now that is shaping up to be a wild and totally unpredictable event. Contador or No Contador, either way it will be wild. It won't be boring for sure. I can hardly wait. OBT (that stands for Outfitter Bicycle Tours) is set up the best it ever has been for watching and ride this years tour. And we get to stay 4 nights in 1 hotel! And, see the race every day (old guys like me luv this sort of thing), but the clients should as well. Check out the itinerary and note the classy hotel in Paris with the racers!

The other thing I am looking forward to is the Route des Grandes Alpes. I have not been through a lot of that country south of Izoard so am looking forward to that. Our final hotel in Menton has a Michelin Star Restaurant . . .I plan to go off my vegan diet for that night!

I am spending parts of my day building Marilyn and my new adventure . . .creating inspirational bike tours that hnot only make you stronger, but better parents, or lovers or friends or employee, helping to learn to Practice Mondfulness. Sound boring? Maybe, but I don't think so. Check out what we have created so far at Mindfulness Tours. Jamie is keeping me real busy so new itineraries are coming slowly.

Hey, think about Hawaii - The Big Island. OBT did a bunch of tours there in the late 90's and early 2000's. It is great cycling. Soon we will have Self Guided options. We are putting together a November 2011 tour for a bike club which I think may become open for others. Write Jamie or me for a link to the new Itineraries, they aren't on the site public site as yet. That's it for today. Like always, I Hope Lance Wins!!!

2011 Tour de France Route Annoucement

The official 2011 Tour de France route was annouced in Paris 19 October and we were there live for the first time! It was live on the Tour de France web site for the first time is where we saw it actually. Very interesting. It turned out our own 2011 Tour de France vacation plan was Right On in terms of figuring out the route in advance and particularly the final week, and having the best reservations! Our friend & spy Sandy is a genus!. We will be there in the Alpes with other crazy cyclists riding those famous Cols. You can join our Tour de France vacation group by clicking here (no obligation to look). Everything is sort of up in the air with Alberto's status unkown. My money says he won't ride this year. The Pyrenees have a couple tough stages again this year but Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and possibly Saturday of the last week in the Alpes are where the tour will be won. Handy Andy anyone? Well all you Old Clients, come join us in the Alpes in 2011. We would love to see you. Marilyn says HI!

On November 11 we have a slide show on our 2011 offerings at The Bicycle Outfitter in Los Altos at 7PM. See you there! Burgundy & Lake Como & Route des Grandes Alpes are our New 2011 offerings!
Dick