This event http://www.etape.org.uk/ has exploded in terms of popularity, and having ridden it now three times (most recently this July - it is always in July approx. a week before the actual Tour comes through!!), I can promise you it's one of the best 'sporting' events I've taken part in.

 

This year there were over 8,000 riders of all abilities and some chose to race it while others chose to ride it at a gentler speed.  This is THE opportunity to ride an actual stage of the 2006 Tour de France as the pros do and on completely closed roads etc, etc, .

 

Next year  (so the rumour mill goes) there is the probability of choosing a flat and a mountain stage BUT and it is a big BUT,  places are filling up fast already and participants need to (in fact, must) go through a Etape du Tour agent.   

 

There are of course quite a few agents and you can find them simply by entering Etape du Tour on any internet search engine, but the one I did it through this summer was http://www.etape.org.uk/ with Ron at the helm. He is taking reservations now! You only need to commit at this stage seeing at the Tour route won't even come out until October, and you can pull out later if necessary. Please e-mail him at  etape@... .

 

I've attched a word doc with a good report of this year's event (not mine!) and there is also Ron's account on his web site http://www.etape.org.uk

 

Thanks,

 

Kevin

 

p.s. please pass this message on to anyone you think would be interested.