Though there are plenty of other obstacles on the yellow brick road to Paris, the 2010 course justly brings focus to the 100th anniversary of the race’s first passage in the high mountains. For me, it’s another great opportunity to motivate cyclists to get out of their home routine and onto some of the best riding roads and terrain on the planet.
No doubt there are plenty of armchair fans visualizing pro racing at its best. The black-and-white of crusty, old photos, riders struggling up unknown and unpaved climbs, diving into water troughs to escape the unbearable July heat.
But next July, these fans could be experiencing the Pyrénées in full color, riding up those now-paved mountain roads, struggling, sweating, missing shifts (because we have gears!) and loving every minute of it.
I hate stopping on a ride, but who wouldn’t the first time they passed by the base of the Tourmalet where Christophe welded his forks in 1913? If you don’t know the story, read it. 
And why wouldn’t you stop to take a photo along the rolling escarpment between the summit of the Col du Soulor and the Col d’Aubisque, with unbelievable views of the surrounding mountains, the cliff sides dropping away into the valley thousands of feet below?
The racing in 2010 will be great; even the most boring stages have unforgettable moments. Maybe tin woodsman candidate Armstrong will get someone to oil his joints and take home another yellow jersey. Maybe the rainbow jersey will give Evans all the heart he needs. But above and beyond the pro peloton, every cyclist and fan merits a few days on these famous mountain tracks. Join us. We’ll make sure you find the road home.
P.S. We’re hoping to have our trip prices/dates available by the end of the month.
© 2010