Cycling Classics Breaks Rental Barrier

Press Release:
Cycling Classics Breaks Rental Barrier: New carbon frame bicycles available in 2007!


January 15, 2007 – Cycling Classics, the high level cycling tour company based in the South of France has announced it purchase of a new fleet of high quality, light weight carbon frame road bikes for all its clients in 2007.

Eddy Merckx CHM

Cycling Classics is purchasing a fleet of the new Eddy Merckx CHM road bikes from the Eddy Merckx bicycle company. The new CHM is being introduced to the market by the Merckx company in 2007 as a great value in carbon that more people can afford. While still at a retail price tag of more than 2000 euros, and built up as a complete bike, except pedals, it weighs in at an astounding 8.4 kg. (18.5 lbs) Cycling Classics has purchased a new fleet of bikes from Merckx in every year of its existence and as in year’s past, the bikes are brand new.

“It is our belief that there is no better rental bike available to bicycle tourists coming to ride in France, especially in the challenging areas of the Alpes and Pyrenees”, says President Jean Marc Dedeyne. In fact, it is not even necessary to be a tour client to utilized the bikes. Cycling Classics has set up rental locations around France at key points where customers who want to do their own thing can do rental only. Priority is reserved for tour clients, but after that, anyone can reserve a bike for as few as 2 days.

Cycling Classics not only supplies the customer directly, but is also an important ground service operator for tour companies around the planet needing localized support for strong cyclists coming to France. One prospective tour company client recently remarked, “I am shocked at the quality of rental. It’s not the normal Aluminum Bianchi that are so common.”

Cycling Classics lists all of the bicycle details of the new Merckx CHM model on its website as well as rental locations throughout France. Most of the tours are self-guided and a great value from as little as 515 euros/per person. 2 Day bike rentals start at 60 euros, and on a per day basis go down in price the longer the rental. Guided tours are also available for major pro cycling events and local organized races and events. Cycling Classics tours can be found in detail at: www.cyclingclassics.com or contact the company by phone at their sales office in the USA at 480-905-1235.

Cycling Classics Makes Men's Journal

Best Summer Trips 2007 - our French Alpes cycling tour made the list with Men's Journal annual list. Of course, this tour isn't easy, it is very challenging cycling, but more and more people are seeking just that in a vacation.

Curiously, the placement of our listing among the many offers that were listed was right below one of the best known bicycle tour companies, and also one of the most expensive tour companies out there. Our trip, at 515 euros per person was just below Backroads Tuscany trip that is over $3300 per person. Our listing starts out something like this: "Organized group tours can seem like a waste of money..."

Uhmmm, yeah, they can. Hence, self-guided; hence our various offers. I suppose in a way the trips a company offers are a reflection of the ownership of that company. I'm all about value; the experience, and independence. So, I suppose that is reflected in our programs. If you like a challenge, have a streak of independence, and know a good deal when you see one; then a trip like our French Alpes tour will hit you just right.

L

Le Tour 2008 - Starts in Brittany

Big News: Brittany will be the host of the Tour de France "Grand Depart" in 2008. Brittany, as in Bretagne, a region of France with departments like Finistere (end of the earth), and other captivating places. In the summary explanation by the race directors, they point to an unusual history of Brittany in launching the run of a superstar cyclist. They indiscretely leave out one of the sport's most recent stars, because, well, he must not have started in Brittany!

Anyway, all that nonsense aside, and of course that pro cycling is in the doldrums; the attention returns to the TDF and its announcement. I have personally cycled and hiked and driven over much of this region, and it is beautiful. There isn't much that draws people to the first week of the Tour, (unless you live along the route); but the pictures that television will provide will certainly be spectacular. The lovely coastline and unique architecture of the region will inspire people to visit, and they should. The old walled city of St Malo and its coast, just a few miles down shore from Mont St Michel will look mythic, and is a great stop over for any visitor to the Mont. The countryside is flat to rolling for the most part and with famous Brittany weather the days are sure to be spotty with sun and an occassional shower to keep the cyclists and fans cool.

It would be fun to imagine a new champion beginning a run like the race directors seem to hope for. Unless we get some hints with this year's Tour winner, the contenders seem to be unknowns at the moment!

Hiking around Lake Annecy in the French Alpes

Annecy is considered one of the most pristine lakes in Europe. It is without a doubt one of the most scenic! Our new hiking tour makes a tour of the lake and offers up some excellent hikes into the surrounding mountains with fantactic panoramic views over the lake and the surrounding snow capped peaks. We have totally redone this itinerary for 2007, changed hotels and added services such as boat transfers and more. If you want, you can do a tandem parapente flight over the lake area!

The town of Annecy is quite famous and as such draws a lot of visitors. There are cultural events taking place throughout summer and winter. Sound a light shows, art shows and exhibits, musical festivals, and other artist performances. The city and surround lake villages is also a hub of outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking trails are everywhere as well as mountain biking, and challenging road cycling routes. The cuisines of the region is of course typically mountain style and hardy. One of my favorite mountain chalet dinners after a hard day out is "tartiflette"; a potato dish with ham and cheese. The ham and cheese though are not just that; they are typically smoked ham/meat from the region and the famous reblochon cheese which is a somewhat strong cheese that gives the dish an amazing taste. This one sticks to the ribs! And that could come in handy as you traverse the mountains, listening to the cowbells of nearby grass grazers, and admire the scenic beauty that is the alpes.

Cycling In Belgium - Flanders and Polders

Another new self guided tour offers many charming visits from Bruges to Ghent to Ypres and back to Bruges. Known as the Venice of the North, Bruges is a famous stop for more than just cyclists and there are plenty of reasons for this. However, being a cyclist in Belgium is an advantage so even if lots of tourist make their way to Bruges, our cyclists will have an ease of travel that they and their buses won't! Belgium is crisscrossed with cycling paths, all well marked, and in regular use. The Belgians are big cyclists and so it goes there, getting around by bike is a fabulous way to travel.

This mainly flat 260 km long bike loop connects famous and authentic Flemish towns. Additionally we propose you to cycle two 50 km long extra bike loops: one through the scenic polder landscape and one through the more challenging Flemish Ardennes. Quiet, paved country roads, and a combination of former tow/dike paths and train beds allow you to enjoy varied landscapes in a safe way. Signposts make maps unnecessary; however we provide you with clear road descriptions and maps. Charming taverns will welcome you with a cool local beer, typical farm dishes or pancakes.

We offer this trip in our usual self-guided formula, which in our opinion is the BEST way to travel. Its less expensive, gives you all the freedom to travel when you want and use your day how you want, but leaves all the organizational details to us - the professionals. Speaking of being pros, this trip was made with our local Belgian cycling experts. Willy, one of our guides for our Tour de France tours, lives in Belgium year round and will meet all comers for an orientation and introductory beer - Belgian style! If you don't know beer, you don't know Belgium!

L