Tour de France Challenge: Try To Survive It

In 2005 a group of devoted cyclists rode the entire Tour de France route a day ahead of the actual race. They raised over $60,000 for charity, and lived the dream for three weeks. Destination Cycling took care of logistics, and are offering a few special riders the chance to do it again this year.

There’s no doubt about it, you’ve got to “special” to take this on, but then again, we’re cyclists – we live for this kind of adventure. Three weeks of riding, plus travel to and from France, hours in the saddle each day, long transfers, wind, rain, sun heat, Atlantic winds and Alpine climbs… could it be any better?

As Kevin Mahaney, last year’s TDFC team captain, said upon his arrival in Paris, “You cannot beat the Tour, you can only try to survive it.” Kevin, a former U.S. Olympian and cancer survivor, rode all 21 stages and 3,608 kilometers of the 2005 Tour de France route and raised over $60,000 for the Tyler Hamilton and Lance Armstrong Foundations.

Destination Cycling’s Tour de France Challenge Ride Featured in Outside Magazine’s 2006 Adventure Life List – Biking the Tour de France route named in the top “50 Ways to Live Large.”

Destination Cycling organized the staff and logistics for Kevin’s ride as a true professional cycling team, and this Tour de France Challenge (TDFC) ride is currently featured in Outside Magazine’s 2006 Adventure Life List. “The Tour de France Challenge represents the ultimate way to “live large” and experience the Tour de France,” said Joe Tonon, Destination Cycling’s Co-Founder. “We are honored to be recognized by Outside Magazine.”

Stage 11: Courchevel to Brianзon – Climbing the Col de la Madeleine.

The Few, The Brave
The logistics and planning are underway for the 2006 Tour de France Challenge. Destination Cycling is offering an exclusive event catering to the dreams of nine riders, just like a pro team. The price for this trip is $30,000 per rider and covers everything a pro rider would wish for and more over the 26-day trip: hotels, meals, transportation, full team kit (biking and casual apparel), bike, accessories, plus all mechanical, massage, and medical support.

Celebrating Bastille Day – France’s Independence Day (July 14) at the beach in Cap d’Agde.

“We’re modeling what the pro teams do,” said Joe Tonon. Destination Cycling provides participants with the necessary travel, team, and technical support to complete the entire route. The team rides the route the day before the professional peloton.

Asked about why he chose Destination Cycling to lead his epic ride, Kevin Mahaney explains, “Every other company I approached was afraid to commit to the challenges involved in running such a tour. I chose Destination Cycling because of its knowledge, contacts, and capabilities with organizing European performance cycling tours. Destination Cycling cared about my goals and objectives.”

The TDFC Team reaches its goal – Paris’ Champs-Elysйes.

Come On, You Know You Want To
Intrigued? Want to find out if this is right for you? Contact Joe Tonon, TDFC Director, directly by phone at 781.990.1486 or email at [email protected] to start the conversation.

About Destination Cycling
Destination Cycling creates active lifestyle vacations specializing in performance, lifestyle, charity, and custom itineraries. Building on its founders’ expertise in European race-oriented cycling vacations, it offers journeys that blend cycling, local traditions, culinary delights, and wellness into unforgettable experiences.

• For more information, visit www.DestinationCycling.com .

Get the Full picture on the 2005 ride:
View TDFC 2005 Daily Journal and Photos

Past Pez Ride Coverage
• July 27, 2005 –
Tour de France Challenge Final: More Mountains
• July 14, 2005 – Tour de France Challenge Week 2: Mountains!
• July 6 , 2005 – TDF Challenge: First Week Down
TDF Challenge: First Week Down
• June 21, 2005 –
Solo Rider Takes on TDF Route