Why Mountain Biking In France Is Popular
One of my favourite past times is to go mountain biking down countryside trails and travel long distances from one town to another. For me this is an enjoyable form of keeping fit and you have the added benefit of appreciating the scenery. Mountain biking does not necessarily have to be enjoyed in your own home territory and one can be involved with mountain biking abroad. Places like France, Italy, Spain, Africa and Australia.
Mountain biking in France is more popular than any other destination because of the smooth and challenging trails that make biking here more fun. The French Alps is famous for holding the popular Tour de France biking event, whereby thousands of spectators come from all over the world and support the contenders. The Alps is also popular with skiing holidays and professional skiing competitions, which has placed the French Alps as one of the top destinations for activity holidays.
The Tour de France has helped to keep the Alps to maintain its reputation for being one of the best experience mountain biking in France as a whole. The first Tour de France event began in 1903 and is structured so it is partaken in stages rather than one long marathon. History will reveal that the Tour de France was largely influenced and inspired by the popular sporting magazine in France, called Le Velo. Like most sporting magazines, this focussed on sporting events but also included politic and current affairs in France.
Le Velo was produced and published to symbolise the innocence of Alfred Dreyfus, who was accused and found guilty of selling secrets to the Germans. There was a large division between the people of France, with one side favouring his innocence and the other believing he was guilty. Some of the advertisers were against what Le Velo stood and were very much against the support of Dreyfus's innocence. Those that withdrew their advertising later published their own rival magazine.
L'Auto was established and to promote it the Tour de France began. This was also a publicity spectacle to rival Le Velo and their event, Paris-Brest et retour organised by editor Pierre Gifford. Originally, the race was discussed to be a five weeklong tour, however with only 15 entrants this was then reduced down to just 19 days. Cycling journalist Geo Lefevre and Editor Henri Desgrange announced the event on January 19th of 1903 - thus born a new trend of mountain biking in France.
The public were caught and drawn in by the event, from the growing number of entrants (who were offered a daily allowance) and the entertainment attractions (some amateur and unemployed entertainers). The tour was split into stages of riding 400km, this saw the riders riding into the night, which captured the spectators attention. After the event, the magazine sales went from 25,000 copies sold to 65,000. By 1933 when the Tour had finished Desgrange had received a record of 854,000.
L'Auto magazine was not a direct predecessor to the now popular magazine L'Equipe, but was a spiritual figure and influence to the current organisers of the Tour. This is not directly organised by L'Equipe but is run by its owners called Societe du Tour de France. To this day this is an event which has grown on a massive scale over the years. This has influenced much of France to see many holidaymakers take part in mountain biking in places like the French Alps, but also open up other events like the Tour such as Giro d'Italia based in Italy and Vuelta a Espana based in Spain.
Meditation For Beginners
Mountain Bike Holidays – Adventurous and Exciting
Mountain bikers don't just like ordinary vacations - they want to take mountain bike holidays, where they can get out and try out trails that they don't often get the opportunity to try out. They also enjoy mountain bike holidays because they get to experience cultures, challenges, and scenery that simply isn't common place to their lives. It's no wonder that touring companies have started offering mountain bike holidays in almost every imaginable destination in the world!
Even bike manufacturers are getting in on the action. Trek has Trek Travel, which specializes in - you guessed it - mountain bike vacations and tours. Fisher Bikes has also started offering tour packages - with Gary Fisher as your friendly guide! Other manufacturers are sure to follow in the very near future - because there is a definite market for mountain bike holidays!
Travel agents are another good source for finding mountain bike vacation packages, but they usually don't offer what touring companies - which are not the same as travel agencies - can offer. Touring companies typically offer guided tours, but many offer self-guided tours as well. Depending on where you want to go, and what your level of experience is, a self-guided tour may be more enjoyable than a guided tour. However, if you are inexperienced, or if you are going to a foreign country, you should strongly consider a guided tour.
The tour guides are usually well trained, and they know the places that they will be leading you like the back of their hands. You won't have to worry about getting lost or not finding the most challenging trails for your skill level - the guide has all of that information. These guides typically know what is acceptable, and what is unacceptable, in the areas that they often ride in, in terms of dealing with the locals - especially in foreign countries. These guides are also well equipped to deal with emergencies - whether it is a bike breakdown or an injury.
Self guided tours, on the other hand, are exactly what they sound like - self guided. The touring company makes all of the arrangements for you to get to the destination where you will ride - but no guide accompanies you. You are not guided on the trails in most cases either. This means that you need to have the necessary experience to deal with any situations that may arise, such as injuries or breakdowns, and you need to be able to read a map well. You may also need to do some investigating to determine where you may and may not ride - especially in a foreign country! Beginner mountain bikers typically do not have the necessary experience, and need to stick to guided tours for the time being.
If you have never been on a tour of any type, it is a good idea to know what you are getting into before booking the tour. Some tours consist of only you, your guide, and other members of your party - such as your friends or family members. Other tours consist of you, the guide, and other people who have signed up for the tour - strangers. It is important to know what the arrangement is before booking the tour.
You also need to know what is expected of you on the tour. Most tours provide the bikes, and they are usually top of the line bikes. Some companies will allow you to bring your own bike, but in most cases, you will be responsible for your own bike. Your food may or may not be provided as part of the package. Again, it is vital that you find out all this information before booking the tour.
For your next vacation, you should definitely contact some of the touring companies about mountain bike holidays to see if there is a trip that interests you. Vacations are about more than just sightseeing - adventure is the key to a fabulous vacation that you will never forget!