THIS WEEK IN PRO CYCLING
Trek Travel
Luxury is mandatory - miles are optional
After 26 years of building bicycles and using them to race and travel allover the globe, the folks at Trek Bicycles have learned a few things abouttwo-wheeled transportation.
The most important lesson: The best way to see the world is from the seatof a bicycle. It is with that philosophy in mind that the Waterloo, Wisconsin-based company has launched the newest member of its family, Trek Travel, a luxury cycling tour operation that offers 19 different trips in North America and Europe.
Each destination has been carefully researched to ensure the most luxuriousaccommodations, gourmet cuisine and spectacular rides, so whether the vacationof your dreams consists of a leisurely pedal through the quiet pathways ofthe Loire Valley, or retracing Lance Armstrong’s route on a ride up MountVentoux, Trek Travel has you covered.
“We know that there are a wide variety of cyclists,” says John Burke, presidentof Trek Bicycles. “Some plan their vacation around their bicycle riding.Some plan their bicycle riding around their vacation.”
To satisfy both kinds of cyclists, Trek Travel offers two distinct tour options:the Performance Tour and the Leisure Tour.
If a 75-mile day is just long enough to work up a good sweat, then the Performance trips are designed for you. You’ll ride longer and harder, up to eight hours and 80 miles a day. This year’s highlights include the six-day Giro d’Italia trip, where clients get an up-close look at the action. Ride segments of the Giro course and compare notes on your ride with the pros. The intimatenature of this race means you’ll get to see some of the greatest cyclistsin the world.
Trek Travel also features legends trips, which give you the opportunity toride and dine with some of cycling’s most innovative, influential and celebratedcyclists. Three-time Tour de France winner and two-time world champion GregLeMond has signed on for trips in Provence and Napa Valley. In Provence,Greg will share his cycling knowledge as you climb 5500 feet to the summitof the famed Mount Ventoux. And after a day of incredible riding, join Gregfor an evening of wine tasting and unforgettable Provencal cuisine.
You can also head to the mountain biking Mecca of Moab, Utah, and ride withone of the sport’s greatest innovators, Gary Fisher himself.
If you’re looking for a slower pace, then one of the Leisure tours is theway to go. They strike the right balance between biking and relaxing, givingyou the freedom to ride at your own pace and enjoy the region.
Either way, though, the destinations are some of the most magnificent placeson earth to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells. And thoughcycling is a big part of what the Trek Travel experience is all about, theyhaven’t forgotten that tours are first and foremost a vacation. As a result,they have made ample allowances for more traditional diversions.
Take a private vineyards tour complete with wine tasting, or learn some localhistory on a guided tour led by a local historian. Trek Travel also offersoptional days for kayaking, playing golf, or spending the day relaxing ata spa.
Just like all Trek endeavors, Trek Travel is built upon a strong commitmentto customer service. As a guest of Trek Travel, clients experience an impressivededication to excellence, with exceptional accommodations and the finestcuisine available.
Each Trek Travel trip is led by two experienced guides eager to share theirpassion for traveling, and who will provide you with as much personal attentionas you need. All of Trek’s guides have lived in the region or speak the language, giving them an insider’s ability to help you discover the hidden gems that ordinary tourists simply pass by. In addition, Trek Travel’s guides are allaccomplished cyclists, meaning they can lend advice along the way to helpyou enjoy the pleasures of traveling by bike.
As for equipment, Trek Travel abides by the motto that a comfortable bikeis not just a luxury — it’s a necessity. That’s why they offer Trek 5200road or 7700 hybrid bikes at no additional charge, and their experiencedguides take the time to ensure proper fit.Trek Travel tours are designed to appeal to a wide variety of people. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a traveler who simply knows that the most sensuous way to experience a region is via bicycle, you’ll find a trip that fits your style.
2 0 0 3 S C H E D U L E H I G H L I G H T S
Giro d’Italia: May 8-June 3
Provence With Greg LeMond: May 25-30 And Sept. 15-20
Moab With Gary Fisher: May 4-9 And Oct. 12-17
Czech Republic/Austria: July And Aug.
Canadian Rockies: June, July And Aug.
San Juan Islands: June, July, Aug., Sept.
Tuscany, Italy: June, Aug., Sept.
Ireland: June, Aug., Sept.
for the complete schedule see www.trektravel.com
Trek Bicycle Corp
801 West Madison
Waterloo, Wisconsin 53594
Telephone: 866/464-8735
E-mail: Info@Trektravel.Com
Web: www.trektravel.com
