Detailed ItinerarySaturday October 5th
We begin our trip by collecting you from Charles de Gaulle Airport and take you to the 3 Star Hotel la Residence du Berry is 30 minutes from Paris and is located in the heart of Versailles and was recently completely refurbished, Hotel la Résidence du Berry, offers today a perfect blend of original XVIIIth century character together with the comfort of a modern hotel. Here you can unwind for the day, visit the Palace http://www.chateauversailles.fr/ or go into Paris. Later in the afternoon we will help you unpack and assemble your bikes. It will be possible to do a ride in the afternoon if you're up to it! In the evening we will enjoy a welcoming dinner and get to know each other. Sunday October 6th
Today's race is the ninth round of the World Cup and who will forget last year's heroic breakaway by Jackie Durand and eventual lone winner Richard Virenque! We will travel the short distance out of Versailles to Saint Arnoult for the start at 11am. We will arrive early for a good look at the riders as they prepare for the race. When the race departs we will go ahead and catch it after 60 or 70 kilometres (35 miles), near or at Bonneval. It will be possible to see the race another one or two times before heading to Tours in time to get a good spot to see the finish on the avenue de Grammont. After the presentations we will return to our hotel in Versailles. We will either eat before leaving Tours or in Versailles depending on the time of departure. It may be possible to take bikes and ride from Chateau Renault to Tours while the race does a loop around the back of Tours but we will make that decision on the day based on the weather. Monday October 7th
This morning we will leave our beautiful hotel and head for another great location to see the best of the best fight it out for the title of World Champion in no less than 10 separate events. It's about a four hour drive not including stops so all going well we will arrive mid afternoon in time for a ride. Our stay will be at De Vossemeren a spacious resort village with two large water sport lakes in a woodland environment. We have chosen this resort to cater for the various needs of our clients.
Our accommodation will be in the De Luxe cottage which has 2 bedrooms: 1 with double bed and 1 with twin beds, bathroom with bath and double wash basin, separate toilet. There is also a dishwasher and a second TV in the bedroom. For those who wish to prepare some home cooking there is a kitchen in each cottage. The beds are made up on arrival and a set of towels is laid out for each person. Nearly all the villas are situated at the water's edge. De Vossemeren is only 29 km (about 18 mi) from Zolder and the circuit for the World Championships and is located close to The Lommelse Nature Reserve in Belgium with its dunes, and the De Watering bird paradise. The Dutch border is also close by. Cycling is a real attraction at De Vossemeren with eight cycling routes from 21km to 66km in length in the surrounding countryside plus other more extensive routes for those wanting a longer ride. Some of the other features at De Vossemeren are: The Aqua Sana has a separate sauna, plunge pool and Spa pool and offers all kinds of beauty treatments. Body massage, hydro-massage and herbal or Thalasso treatments are amongst the therapies on offer. Discovery Bay has spectacular live entertainment and an extensive buffet with hot and cold dishes. The Market Dome is a green oasis with exotic plants and tropical birds and fish. The restaurants and attractive shops, such as the Food Store and Boulangerie with its tempting aromas of freshly baked bread will charm you. Have fun shopping in Toys & Souvenirs or the trendy Fashion Store and enjoy the live entertainment in and around the Market Café & Terrace. Enjoy a cocktail or refreshing drink in the new Action Company Clubhouse where you can swing to the music in the evenings. De Vossemeren has a good choice of restaurants, with something for every taste! The Pancake House. Dine á la carte in the Grand Restaurant Savanna and choose from an extensive buffet in the Market Restaurant. Enjoy all your favourite Tex-Mex dishes at our new Hammond's Family Restaurant. You can also eat in The Jolly Roger Café in Discovery Bay. However we won't eat at the village every night. We will go into Hasselt to check out the activities associated with the Championships as well. If we arrive early enough in the afternoon we can stretch the legs with a ride on one of the many cycling routes in the area possibly followed by a massage or a dip in the indoor aquatic centre. We will eat at one of the village restaurants this evening. Tuesday October 8th: The racing programme is as follows: Those wishing to watch the racing can do so by bike or car. The time trial circuit is based on the Zolder circuit and loops around the town of Hasselt. Cyclists can go off on one of the many rides (with assistance) and return via the racing or back to the village and then to the race. It will be possible at some stage to do a lap of the course to familiarize yourself for the coming week. For those not wishing to see the racing there is still plenty of new things to see and do in De Vossemeren however a tourist excursion will be planned for the day as well. There will also be some visits to some of those famous Belgian Bike Shops. The World Championships Bicycle Racing 2002 is so much more than just the competition, it will be one big party. Apart from the bike races, the host region will organise a whole range of activities. In Hasselt there will be lots of activities each day. For instance the Fashion Prologue: 500 more meters to go ... you brace yourself, you feel your opponents breathing down your neck, your forehead is beaded with sweat, you fix your outfit and your glasses. The supporters burst out cheering; the cup and the wreath are no longer a dream! Live the feeling of the 16 Belgian world champions during your bike tour through the Municipal Fashion Museum of Hasselt. Wednesday October 9th: The racing programme is as follows: The programme for today will be much the same with different riding options and different places to go for the tourists. Those wishing to watch the racing can do so by bike or car. The time trial circuit is based on the Zolder circuit and loops around the nearby town of Hasselt. Cyclists can go off on one of the many rides (with assistance) and return via the racing or back to the village and then to the race. For those not wishing to see the racing there is still plenty of new things to see and do in De Vossemeren with a tourist excursion be planned for the day as well. Thursday October 10th: The racing programme is as follows: Well I doubt if there will be anyone not wanting to be somewhere on the course when 2.00pm comes around! The first of the Elite Men's World Championships will be decided today. Who will be the winner? We don't know yet but you can be there to see it! Once again riding will be an option with cyclists being able to go off on one of the many rides (with assistance) and return via the racing or back to the village and then to the race. The vehicles will do a morning and afternoon trip to the circuit to drop off and collect people and will then do a final collection one hour after the final event. For those not wishing to see the racing there will be new places to see and things do in De Vossemeren with another tourist excursion planned for the day. Friday October 11th: The racing programme is as follows: The first of the road races is today. The Under 23 race is always a great race. Plenty of attacking and youthful exuberance! The programme for today will be much the same with different riding options and different places to go for the tourists. Those wishing to watch the racing can do so by bike or car. The road circuit is based on the Zolder circuit. In the morning cyclists can go off on one of the many rides (with assistance) and return via the racing or back to the village and then to the race. The vehicles will do a morning and afternoon trip to the circuit to drop off and collect people and will then do a final collection one hour after the final event. For those not wishing to see the racing a tourist excursion will be planned for the day or you might like to pamper yourself at the spa in the village. Tonight we will go to Hasselt for dinner and the festivities below (sounds pretty good!): Palio at Hasselt: Every year, the quarters of the Italian city of Sienna are competing with each other in an exciting horse race. By analogy with this Italian "Palio", the Hasselt city quarters will be competing for the honour in a spectacular bike race on the marvellous Green Boulevard at Hasselt on 11 October 2002. Cycling stars and celebrities of the political scene will lend a helping hand to the district heroes. Saturday October 12th: The racing programme is as follows: Well today the racing will be full on again!
In the morning there will be the Junior Men. These guys are great to watch. Full of testosterone and lacking the tactical know how of the pros these guys will go flat out for the duration of the race with little or no care for their well being. You remember what that was like, don't you? Then in the afternoon it will be time to see who will be Queen of the Road for 2002. If you haven't seen top-level women's racing you're in for a surprise. These girls are quick. The programme for today will be much the same with different riding options and different places to go for the tourists. Those wishing to watch the racing can do so by bike or car. By now you will have your favourite spot to watch the race from. In the morning cyclists can go off on one of the many rides (with assistance) and return via the racing or back to the village and then to the race. The vehicles will do a morning and afternoon trip to the circuit to drop off and collect people and will then do a final collection one hour after the final event. In Hasselt there will be a huge fan day: On the eve of the World Championship Gentlemen Elite, the city of Hasselt will be topsy-turvy. On Saturday 12 October 2002, all kinds of events will be organised in the city centre. One of the highlights will be the 'old-fashioned' kermesse between the Domain of Bokrijk and the National Gin Museum. Undoubtedly a must for every bicycle race lover! For those not wishing to see the racing there is still plenty of new things to see and do in De Vossemeren with a tourist excursion to Hasselt planned for the day. Sunday October 13th: The racing programme is as follows:
This is the day we've been waiting for! Today is the day the King of the Road will be crowned. It must be the dream of every pro cyclist to be World Road Race Champion one day and this course is one of the most likely in many years to spring a surprise winner. Scott Sunderland says it's a course that looks easy but will be difficult in the end. If the wind is blowing that will make it even harder. We want to make today a memorable day for you so we have a special treat. As part of our exclusive package for the World Championships we have included a VIP pass to the SPRINTERS' CLUB for the Men's Professional Road Race. You will be able to view the race from a luxuriously appointed marquee in the finishing straight with numerous Televisions showing the race live. As well you will be served drinks and a buffet lunch and will have the benefit of the knowledge of some stars of yesterday during the race and at a reception afterwards. The SPRINTERS' CLUB inclusions are listed below: Programme:
Once the races have finished, we look forward to seeing you back in the VIP marquee for a closing reception. This package includes:
Now does that sound like the way you would like to see a World Championship? The vehicles will do a morning trip to the circuit to drop off people and will then do a final collection one hour after the Road Race. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner at the village followed by a drink or two. Monday October 14th: Today we will journey back to Paris to take our flights home. We will arrive in Paris mid afternoon. If you're eager to get home it will be possible to take an evening flight. If you prefer to fly out in the morning we will arrange accommodation for you in Paris. This however will be an extra that is not included in the price. However your transport to the airport will be arranged at our expense.
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