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Dear Marriage Advisor by guest blogger, Bob Joy

Dear Marriage Advisor:  I have a “friend” who just confessed to his wife that he has been lusting in his heart for a new bike. She should have known it was coming. My friend had been talking about getting another bike ever since Harry showed up for our morning ride with a brand new cherry red Madone with all the fixin’s. Since then, my friend has been spending increasing amounts of time surfing Trek’s Project One site, marveling at the nearly limitless combinations of frames, paint schemes, and components. Whenever he had to go out of the room, my friend strategically left the computer on in full view of his wife. Still, my friend knew that it would be a hard sell. He already had three Trek bikes of different vintages, the most recent of which was just six years old and still looked brand new.

My friend confessed his desire to his wife as they were getting dressed for a party. Her immediate response was, “Why do you need another bike? You can only ride one at a time!” Now, mind you, she said this in all seriousness as she searched through her five-tiered jewelry chest for the perfect pair of earrings to match her outfit. My friend couldn’t help from pointing out that several of her options contained carbon in a different form, were nearly as expensive as a bike, and that she, too, could only wear one pair at a time. Wrong move.
Here’s where my friend could use your help. What should he say to convince his wife of 30 years (whom he loves very much if she is reading this) that he should get a new bike? Please choose from the options below, or respond with your own:

A) My friend should buy the Trek Madone and deal with the ramifications at a later date. (Not recommended)
B) My friend should buy his wife a new pair of earrings and try again. (A costly gambit)
C) My friend should offer to take his wife on Trek Travel’s California Wine Country trip or Vermont bike trip so she will get a chance to ride the latest Madone and understand. (Preferred option)

Other ideas will be gratefully accepted. My “friend” really needs your help!

Colorado’s USA Pro Cycling Challenge, By Bob Joy

6a0147e09179b6970b0154349988f0970c-120wiI am suffering from a form of Seasonal Affective Disorder.  Specifically, I have Post-Tour-de-France-Withdrawal-Syndrome (PTdFWS).  Symptoms include staring at the blank television screen each evening and aimlessly wandering the house saying things like, “The elastic has snapped” and “He reached into his suitcase of pain and found that he forgot to pack.”

Fortunately, this year there is a cure.  Colorado’s USA Pro Cycling Challenge will be held August 22-28 and will be broadcast on Versus and NBC.  The Leopard Trek and Radio Shack teams will be there riding their state-of-the-art Madones.  The HTC Highroad team will also participate in what we now know is their final season.  Cadel Evans is expected to lead the BMC team and will be supported by former U.S. road racing champion, George Hincapie.  It is likely to be a high-altitude rematch between the Schleck brothers and this year’s winner of the Tour de France.  Let’s hope there are fewer crashes!

The race will begin on Monday, August 22nd with a fast, five mile Prologue that will begin in the magnificent Garden of the Gods, descend through Old Town and finish in downtown Colorado Springs.  Other than deciding who will wear the leader’s yellow jersey the next day, it will be too short to have much effect on the overall results.

But it won’t take long for the real fun to begin.  The first stage will include a climb over Monarch Pass that tops out at over 11,000 feet in elevation.  The finish will be on an uphill climb to Mt. Crested Butte.  Sprinters need not apply.

Wednesday’s route from Gunnison to Aspen is being called the Queen Stage because it will feature two demanding climbs over 12,000 feet.  The first will ascend a dirt road to Gunnison Pass and is sure to split the peloton.  Watch for Boulder, Colorado resident and former mountain biker Tom Danielson to emerge from the pack on the climb and use his descending skills to gain time on his rivals.  With his ninth-place finish in the Tour de France, the highest for any American, this is shaping up to be Tom’s breakout year.  He’s been training in these mountains since his return and has to be among the favorites.

The next day’s time trial will be twice as long as the Prologue and will be uphill all the way.  Riders will gain nearly 1,800 feet  over the ten mile course that will start in Vail Village and end at the top of Vail pass.  The route will favor all-around riders like Levi Leipheimer and Cadel Evans who can both time trial and climb.

Friday’s route will provide little respite for the riders.  The route from Avon to Steamboat Springs is only 86 miles long but will climb 5,000 vertical feet.  Saturday’s route will be like a rest day.  It will start in Steamboat Springs and finish 105 miles later in downtown Breckenridge.  This may be the only bunch sprint of the race but it won’t do much to sort out the overall leaders.

The race will end on Sunday with a 78-mile looping ride that will start in Golden, climb over Lookout Mountain, and conclude with six laps of a circuit course before finishing in front of the magnificent State Capitol Building in downtown Denver.  It should be an exciting finish to a great inaugural race.
And the best part is that we will be another month closer to June 30th when the 2012 Tour de France starts!

For more information about the race and full television listings:  http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com

Learn more about Trek Travel cycling vacations of a lifetime.

The Trek Madone…

This is a great video showcasing how a Trek Madone 6 series is built in Waterloo, WI. This is the same bike that we are able to supply on our trips as an upgrade option. If someone wants to ride a bike that has seen the likes of Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Chris Horner, the Schlecks, and Fabian Cancellara ridden to countless victories, they can do so on a Trek Travel bike trip.

I’ve ridden this bike up and down numerous mountain passes in places like the French Alps and Solvang, CA. I’m always happy that I don’t have to worry about the bike weighing me down, just my own lack of fitness;) Plus anytime some of us guides head out for a little cycling banter, it’s always nice to have the stiffness to stay on guys wheels like Matty, Lyeki, or Big Wave. (Ok, maybe not Big Waves!)

Private

If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.

Looking to travel with a small group or looking for a custom date?
Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735

What is the Difference?

Ultimate Luxury:

Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.

Luxury:

Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.

Explorer

These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.

Combined

On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of hotel levels, from Explorer to Luxury to Ultimate Luxury. Rest assured, no matter which level of hotel you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.

Activity Level

Level 1:

Road: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Level 2:

Road: 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).

Level 3:

Road: 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).

Level 4:

Road: 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

What are your trip styles?

Classic - Reserve:

Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

Classic - Signature:

Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.

Classic - Discovor:

Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.

Ride Camp:

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

Pro Race:

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Self-Guided

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Single Occupancy

Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself