Pro Tour Crumbling

Bjarne Riis admits his doping as the pressure continues to rise. I am surprised by this revelation, and I continue to be surprised how some big names are coming out lately. The background pressue is surely intensified and these guys are coming out on their own probably only to avoid having it revealed in other ways.

So, EPO was widely used in the 90's. We didn't really hear about EPO until the late 90's early 2000's so it was stealth for years. What is the EPO of today? I'd like to think there is nothing and that these riders are clean, but I can't be so foolish. In fact, following the open hearing for Floyd Landis I can't help but scratch my head at pro cycling. That circus of a hearing was for last year's Tour winner and one of America's top riders - was that the best they could do? Today's pro tour doesn't seem to be in a better place than it was during the 90s, whether we knew it or not. Weird, sad, pathetic.

I have taken very little interest in the Giro so far, and have only picked up on the headlines. I personally look for more news about current and former stars and their doping revelations. It would be nice to think that all this will clean it up, but I have no illusions. All pro sports have too much money behind to keep the athletes from wanting to find alternative ways to beat their rivals - no matter the risk, or cost.

Cynical? Yes, of course. Pro sports are still fun to watch, but like going to the freak show at the circus, it is nothing you want to do for yourself.

Guest Posting: French Catalonia

I have asked for some of our returning clients to send us their comments for posting on this blog so that others can read about some of the experiences people have. All in their own words of course. We really want to encourage others to follow. Here is a start:


About our tour in southern France: On the Catalonia tour was that Wil and I discovered a wonderful museum dedicated to prehistoric Tautavel Man. On day three, when we were returning from our tour of Queribus Castle (which was magnificent) we discovered Tautavel Centre Europeen de Prehistoire. The website is www.tautavel.com. The museum is in the town of Tautavel, a lovely town (there were a number of bus tours there when we stumbled upon it), and the museum is excellent--audio guides in English (and other languages). A cave near the town disclosed human bones from 450-650,000 B.C., making Tautavel Man perhaps the first European! We spent about two hours in the museum--the displays are oustanding! We also discovered many dolmens and other evidences of prehistoric man as we travelled around the countryside. This area is a real hotbed of prehistory, and you might be interested in adding more of this aspect into this walking tour.

Regards

Wil & Lyn

Provence Classic Bicycle Tour

Our bicycle experience was all we hoped for--gorgeous weather, magnificent countryside, fairy-tale towns and spectacular vistas. Your directions and maps were flawless, and our accommodations were perfect. The France are excellent, predictable drivers--very patient with cyclists. We would love to return to France and cycle in a different area, and we would definitely use your services again. Thank you, Laura, for all your assistance in making this trip very special for us.

Wil & Lyn

Catalonia Self-Drive and Easy Walking Tour

Languedoc is so steeped in history and prehistory, and the Vermillion Coast was picture perfect with its anchovie boats and brightly-painted coastal towns. The France were always helpful and courteous. We had a wonderful holiday, each day a new adventure. Our thanks to you and your staff, Laura, for your organization and assistance.

Wil & Lyn

Mountain Biking Anyone?

In the course of creating our hiking tour route books and gps routes over the past few months we used mountain bikes to cover the terrain more quickly. And the question came up, shouldn't we offer some mountain biking trips along some of these routes and other nearby routes? That is throughout Provence and in the Alpes.

The riding of course is great, but is there any demand? Its something we have not really had anyone ask about - ever!

Well as mountain biking has aged, so have some of those people who ride. Maybe its time to ask the question again to a more "developed" mountain biking population - is it time do some mountain biking in the hills of Provence?