Pro Cycling in Doping Dumps

Your guilty...no, I'm not! Illegal sting operations, lawyer speak, leaking of test results, and so on. This is the news of Pro cycling lately. As pointed out in the above linked article, there seems to be no other news of actual racing that is of any interest.

In a weird sort of way, I have to admit to tuning in to read the latest on the doping scandals as much as checking out the race results from the spring classics and other spring races. I read the frustration in letters and forums of amateurs like myself on different cycling websites and all this seems to overshadow the sport in a heavy, debilitating way. We can't get past it and look forward to the upcoming grand tours.

There is no doubt that interest in pro cycling is down, not just in the USA. Europeans that I talk to are hyper-cynical about the cleanliness of the sport. There is just too much scandal, and sniping. I read David Wiggins comments today and my first thought was; we'll probably read about his own doping problems in a year. What is wrong with these people anyway? Can't they get together and get on the same page? Its like there is an understood M.O.; that is the cyclists will back stab each other and sneak around always staying 1 step ahead. The teams will pretend not to know, as long as they win, and the officials will all insult one another and leak information, conduct intrusive and often illegal tests and stings, and the lawyers will kill us with what lawyers do best - blah, blah, blah, blah...

A sad season ahead it seems...

L

Vineyards and Lavender Tour

Its time to focus on the short window during which lavender growth reaches its most beautiful and frangrant time. Normally, it is said between mid June and mid July that lavender is in peak form and can best be admired before harvest. That can vary from year to year and a few weeks on either side from region to region. I am talking about the larger fields of commercial crops, not the many small fields/rows that can be found all summer long in many areas of southern France.

There is nothing like coming up on a large field of lavender in full bloom. The scent may even reach you before you can see it! And when you see it, the brilliant color will dazzle anyone. Visitors to the Luberon/Vaucluse areas of Provence will have the most luck. The region around Sault is considered to be one of the biggest growing areas. Our cycling tour which is linked above at the title takes in part of this region. Around Grignan the lavender flourishes. Even in to August the scent of lavender can be enjoyed, well after its cut as many of the distilleries in the area are processing the plants.

Booking some time in the region is necessarily done in advance. Therefore, now is the time if that does interest anyone!

L

France on Two Feet a Day

The Sacramento Bee published a story last month by writer Alison Roberts about hiking in France. The story talks about hiking in the Dordogne area of France and while this trip was arranged by a competitor they did mention Discover France in printed version for the newspaper's Sunday edition.

Here is the link, same as on the title above:
http://www.sacbee.com/643/v-print/story/137238.html

L

Cycling Classics makes Smarter Travel

Smarter Travel.com has chosen Cycling Classics Alpes trip as one of its Ten Amazing Adventures under $1000 for 2007.

For the full article click on the link above or this line.

This is the 2nd listing for this tour as a Top 10 Adventure for 2007; we were also listed in Mens' Journal.

Oui, on se lance les fleurs!

L

Paris To Become More Bicycle Friendly

The Washington Post reported about an interesting development for the city of light, the title is linked to the full story. Some important notes are that Paris is working on what residents know to be a pollution problem and quality of life issue. It takes a socialist mayor to make it happen, but concept is not a left wing conspiracy, it makes good sense for all dense urban areas.

Paris for visitors is still Paris, beautiful, and something everyone must see. But, as a former resident myself, I know first hand the problem of actually going about day to day in this city with the problem of vehicle exhaust, and when necessary to drive the "go nowhere" fast peripherique.

There have been lots of attempts at bike programs in the past, mostly ones that relied on the honesty of patrons to use and leave in good condition a bike for others to use. Those programs mostly failed and usually bikes were always stolen within days. The City of Lyon tried it, but then has moved to a new system that shows much more promise. Here is the link to the website of the program in Lyon, its all in French: http://www.velov.grandlyon.com/