Many of us dream of riding The Tour de France, and thousands sign up to experience it for just one day on L'Etape du Tour. But what if you could ride every stage? With Tour de Force you can do just that - and there are just 25 places remaining on next year's tour.
A fundraising event for the William Wates Memorial Trust, Tour de Force challenges participants to ride anywhere between two and all 21 stages of each year's Tour de France. Riders are fully supported along the way, with everything you'd expect from a top quality multi-day sportive: a fully signed route, luggage transfers, medical and physio support, mechanical support, accommodation and all food and drink (including snacks and water along the route). Not to mention unlimited sympathy/encouragement along the way.
With riders in next year's Tour set to rack up 3,344 km of cycling, this must rank among the world's toughest cycling challenges for amateurs. From the cobbles of the north to the Alps and Pyrenees, the Tour is a test of physical and mental endurance like no other. Phil Deeker, lead cyclist on the Tour de Force, explains the event's appeal:
"I have seen riders accomplish feats far greater than they had expected from themselves. I have also had to help others fight a battle of mind over body: pedalling metre-by-metre up a seemingly endless climb. I have seen tears of joy and tears of pain in equal amounts. But mostly I have seen big child-like smiles on very 'grown-up' adults!"
Of course, not everyone has the time (or legs) to ride the full three weeks, and Tour de Force offer a range of shorter packages called Tour Tasters. There are nine options in total, ranging in length from a weekend to nine days. Each Taster focuses on different sections of the Tour - for example, sign up for Tour Taster One (£500) and you'll find yourself tackling the cobbled roads of the Spring Classics along stages 1-4 of the Tour, including the Dutch coast, the cobbles and Mur de Huy.
If mountains are more your thing, Tour Taster Seven (£1000) offers a stunning week's riding over 977km through the Ardeche and Rhone on stages 15-20 of the Tour, finishing with an ascent up Alpe d'Huez.
Whichever package you choose, your fee covers accommodation, all food and transfers plus a small admin fee. Participants also undertake to raise a minimum in sponsorship for the William Wates Memorial Trust.
Since opening to the public in 2010, Tour de Force has raised over £1.2 million for the Trust and its projects that help the country's most disadvantaged young people - all while presenting cyclists with an unforgettable experience and incredible cycling on some of Europe's most storied roads.
The 2015 Tour de Force will start on 27 June 2015 in Utrecht, one week ahead of the Tour de France. The route will follow all 21 stages of the 2015 Tour staying, 7 days ahead of the professionals and finishing on 19 July on the Champs Elysees in Paris. The organisers have also just announced a collaboration with Brighton-based brand Morvelo, who will be producing a bespoke line of kit for participants o nthe Tour de Force - you can get a preview of the jersey and bib shorts here.
Entries for the 2015 Tour de Force opened last week and already 75% of places have sold out. So if you'd like 2015 to be the year you realise some of those TdF fantasies, head along to the Tour de Force website for more information and to register for your own Grand Tour.
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