2007 l'etape stage
10-28-06, 06:48 PM
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2007 l'etape stage
This year's etape stage is stage 15- looks like a beast! If you've participated in a previous l'etape stage, could you tell me what it was like? I'm going to be in France next summer so I'm thinking of trying to register. Any ideas how I can register from Canada without having to pay for a package from a touring company? I'm hoping to just pay the registration fee if possible. Thanks for the help.
10-30-06, 03:46 PM
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Etape
I have done the last two etapes and they were a blast. There is a real sense of excitement and a certain healthy intensity that I found to be very enjoyable. You have to like a challenge, you have to like climbing, and you have to like or at least be able to put up with riding in a big group for at least some of the time, but if you do, it's quite an experience. The temperature both years was quite hot, so you should be prepared to climb in 90 degree heat. Of course, there's no telling what the weather will be and if it rains in the mountains, being able to climb in 40 degree temps will be helpful.
I did both years with a travel group. First with Sporting Tours International out of the UK. It was a very basic trip that was not particularly well organized. I would give it a passable "C" grade. Last year we used Custom Getaways and they were much better organized. I will use them again this year.
I did both years with a travel group. First with Sporting Tours International out of the UK. It was a very basic trip that was not particularly well organized. I would give it a passable "C" grade. Last year we used Custom Getaways and they were much better organized. I will use them again this year.
10-30-06, 04:14 PM
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Never done it, but from what I have read, it's next to impossible to ride without going with a tour company. I seem to remember there being a lottery...
10-30-06, 05:18 PM
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i did L'Etape in 2005. (PAu to Morenx including theCol D' Aubisque) it was a blast. I would highly reccommend doing it. I went with Custom Getaways. Just getting your entry taken care of,and all the lgoistics was worth paying for,a nd as stated above, from the U.S. you really need to go through a TOur comapny to be guraranteed a slot.
