Posted: April 1, 2006

Cycling: CEO Challenge LLC and Destination Cycling Announce Exclusive Package for CEOs to Race Actual Tour de France Routes and View the Race Live in the Pyrenees

Boulder, CO (PRWEB via PR Web Direct) March 29, 2006 -- CEO Challenge LLC and Destination Cycling have announced a new Tour de France CEO Cycling Challenge to be held July 9-14, 2006 from the Biarritz Coast to the Pyrenees. Twenty CEOs will have the unique opportunity to ride actual Tour De France stage routes, compete against each other on one of the Tour’s most famous hill climbs, and watch the Tour live as it travels through the Pyrenees Mountains. Throughout the trip, the CEOs with receive complete travel, team, and technical support from Destination Cycling’s experienced staff.

“This is the ultimate cycling trip for CEOs,” stated Ted Kennedy of CEO Challenge. “The team from Destination Cycling has anticipated every need of the rider, and has booked rooms at some of the nicest resorts and hotels in the Pyrenees. It will be a tremendous opportunity for CEOs to get to know each other while really understanding what it must be like to ride the Tour. Additionally, since business is never far from the minds of CEOs, we have included one roundtable discussion for them to explore networking opportunities within the group."

In 2005, Destination Cycling operated the epic Tour de France Challenge ride for Kevin Mahaney, President and CEO of The Olympia Companies. Kevin, a former U.S. Olympian and cancer survivor, rode all 21 stages and 3,608 kilometers of the Tour de France route and raised over $60,000 for the Tyler Hamilton and Lance Armstrong Foundations. Destination Cycling organized the staff and logistics for Kevin's ride as a true professional cycling team. “Every other company I approached was afraid to commit to the challenges involved in running such a tour. I chose Destination Cycling because of its knowledge, contacts, and capabilities with organizing European performance cycling tours,” explained Kevin.

“We are looking forward to partnering with CEO Challenge LLC to expand the Tour de France Challenge concept to other CEOs seeking to ride the route like the professionals,” stated Joe Tonon, Co-Founder and Director of Destination Cycling.

Trip Details
Dates: 7/9-7/14/2006
Trip Length: 6 days/ 5 nights
Trip Start: Biarritz, France Airport
Trip End: Toulouse, France Airport
All-inclusive Price: US $8,250 for CEOs, spouses $1,500, additional riders $8,250

CEO Trip Price Includes:
-5 nights of hotel accommodations (4 star hotels, typically luxury chateaux-hotels of France)
-All gourmet meals, including all snacks and drinks for each day’s ride
-On-site experienced bilingual guides
-Daily route support (mechanical bike checks/maintenance; medical/physical therapy; nutrition)
-Daily post-ride massages from professional soigneurs (massage therapists) on staff (one for every three CEOs)
-CEO Cycling Challenge / Destination Cycling Team Kit (including jersey, shorts, jacket, socks.)
-Professional facilitation of CEO Roundtable discussion – CEOs pre-pick topics to be discussed
-Private tours and wine tasting (as applicable)
-Entrance fees to all events/activities
-Pre-departure packet detailing the entire trip itinerary and how to prepare
-All daily transfers and luggage transfers, including bike cases
-All gratuities, taxes, and fees for all hotels, meals, porter, and guide services

Not included:
-Air transportation to France
-Personal items purchased during the trip

Qualifications
Anyone is welcome to join in the trip, but only CEOs / Presidents / Managing Directors / C-suite executives will be allowed to take part in the CEO Cycling Challenge Race, win awards, and participate in the roundtable discussions.

Applications
Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis, and the field will be limited to 20 people. For more information and the application form, visit www.ceochallenges.com/article.asp?a=133&c=167

About CEO Challenge LLC
CEO Challenge LLC is a Boulder, Colorado company that is the world-leader in designing sport competitions for CEOs, including CEO Cycling, Ironman, Golf, Triathlon, and Marathon Challenge events (with more to come). Each event is designed as a first-class unique experience with numerous business networking opportunities for the competing CEOs. For more information, visit www.ceochallenges.com.

About Destination Cycling
Destination Cycling creates active lifestyle vacations specializing in performance, lifestyle, charity, and custom itineraries. Building on its founders’ expertise in European race-oriented cycling vacations, it offers journeys that blend cycling, local traditions, culinary delights, and wellness into unforgettable experiences. Destinations include Austria, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, US, and Canada. For more information, visit www.destinationcycling.com.

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