L'Etape du Tour 2011

So, the rumours are all over and done with and for the first time we have TWO Etapes. Here at PyrActif, we dropped everything and went and recce'd both Etape courses within 48 hours of the route announcements. Our conclusion was that the better event will be the 208km stage in the Massif Central, between Issoire & St Flour.

This Etape will take place on the 17th July 2011 and this is the event that we'll be offering accommodation & logistics packages for. With a much-simplified entry process this year, Etape places will be available online at www.letapedutour.com on Nov 16. There's no longer any need to pay inflated entry prices to 'approved tour operators'. Simply make sure you're amongst the first 3000 people to apply online on Nov 16 & you'll know the same day that your Etape entry is secured for just 75 euros. (People registering online after the 3000th entry up to entry number 6000 will be charged 95 euros).

The PyrActif offer, then is to provide you with:

• Option 1 - a full package of support over the race weekend OR
• Option 2 - a chance to combine riding the Etape with three days at the 'heart of the action' of the 2011 Tour de France
• Option 3 - Etape reconnaissance weekends. Ride the whole of the Massif Central course over two days & ensure that you're not going to be taken by surprise when you reach the start line on July 17.

Option 1 - Etape du Tour weekend; 399 euros per rider

You'll be collected from either Toulouse airport (a.m. on Saturday 16 July) or from Clermont-Ferrand railway station (p.m., Saturday 16 July). Toulouse is served by Easyjet flights from Gatwick & Bristol, BA flights from Heathrow and BMI flights from Manchester. Trains from Paris to Clermont take around 4.5 hours and with good links to London on Eurostar, may prove a popular option.

We'll then take you directly to our hotel, which we've selected to give ourselves equally easy access to both the start & finish towns (we are a 20-minute drive from each). You can assemble your bike before we head to the Etape Registration Village to secure your timing chip, dossard number and 'goody bag'. You'll also have access to the Mavic mechanics at the village if your re-assembled bike isn't working quite how you'd like it to.

We'll return to the hotel for dinner, kit preparation & general relaxation before the exertions lying ahead on Sunday.

The Etape usually starts at 7 a.m. and riders are required to be in their 'start pen' in Issoire by 6.30 a.m., so we will arrange an early breakfast to ensure we can leave the hotel by 5.45 a.m. Riders & their bikes will be transported by minibus to a drop-off point close to the Etape start pens.

After you've completed your ride, we'll meet you at a pre-arranged location in Saint Flour, close to the event finish area. You'll be able to access clean, fresh clothing, drinks, food and any other essential items you've brought in your day-bag, before we return to the hotel. Back at base, showered & relaxed, we'll celebrate the day's achievements with a hearty dinner & perhaps a glass or two of something suitable!

On Monday 18 July, you'll be transferred back to Clermont-Ferrand station (a.m.) or to Toulouse airport (mid-afternoon). We will ensure that you're back to Toulouse in time to check in for the Gatwick (Easyjet) flight departing at around 5 p.m. or the Heathrow (BA) flight which leaves at around 6 p.m.

The trip price includes provision of an Etape reconnaissance DVD (available Jan 2011) to help you familiarise yourself with the course and a 'Race Day Nutrition Pack' comprising four High5 Sports bars, six High5 energy gels, 6 bidons-worth of High5 4:1 Energy Drink mix & a bidon of post-ride High5 Protein Recovery Shake.

Click on the image below to preview our 2010 Etape 'recce' DVD , produced in association with CYCLEFILM and Cannondale. We already have the 2011 Recce film 'in the can' and we'll have clips here for you soon, ahead of the full DVD release.

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Option 2 - Etape du Tour & Tour de France double-header; 1049 euros (7-nights) or 1299 euros (10-nights) per rider

Why not add an extra level of enjoyment and pre-Etape inspiration to your visit by joining us in the Pyrenees from Wednesday 13 July for a few days of Tour de France action before your Etape exertions. With three fantastic Tour stages passing through the Pyrenees on Thursday 14, Friday 15 & Saturday 16 July, you will have the opportunity to see the pros in action close up

We then whisk you up to Issoire on the afternoon of Saturday 16 July to put ourselves in position for the Etape du Tour ride on Sunday 17 (see full details of the weekend arrangements in Option 1, above).

After returning to our Pyrenean base on Monday 18, you can enjoy a superb selection of rides & cols, all accessible directly from our front door. You'll be welcome to stay on until Wednesday 20 July or Saturday 23 July, whichever suits you better.

Prices include airport tranfers to/from Toulouse, 7-10 nights accommodation, 7-10 breakfasts, 5-7 evening meals (& taxi service to/from local restaurants on our chef's nights off), minibus transfers and/or guided rides to key vantage points on each Tour de France stage, Etape du Tour Weekend (as per Option 1), full use of on-site leisure & bike workshop facilities at our base in Bertren.

Option 3 - Etape du Tour reconnaissance mini-break; 399 euros per rider

Once you've reviewed your 'recce' DVD and put in the base miles training in the Spring, then there really is no better way to prepare for 'the real thing' than to come and pre-ride the Massif Central Etape course sometime ahead of July 17th. The pros do it. Many very experienced Etapers do it. All the first-timers who do so recognise what a major part it can play in their success 'on E-day'. We've run highly effective Etape training mini-breaks on each of the last three occasions that the event has visited our 'home turf' here in the Pyrenees and we'll be heading up to Issoire & St Flour to do so again in 2011.

Our 'Recce' packages will include: