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Dream Tour Death Match!


   You can dream... but will your dream survive?!      
                                (insert evil laugh here)
  
Currently on our Dream Tours website we have three equally awesome tours of South America.  Also on our website is our own version,The Vuelta Sudamericana, starting in the fall.   Which is better?    Here’s a quick breakdown of each tour, click the link for the full description:   


Contender #1:  

Trans-South America- Tip to Tip: If you visit our Dream Tours site often enough you’ll notice there is a distinct preference for the word ‘Trans’ in the titles of tours.  I’m not actually sure ‘trans’ qualifies as a word but folks sure do like adding it to their tour descriptions.  But ambiguous naming aside this tour certainly has some potential.   

Challenges:  Lots of climbing, very remote in some parts, weather. 

Highlights:    Salt Pans of Bolivia, the Andes, the amazing accomplishment.      


Time:  6 months (180 days) 
Length:  12,000 km 
Start: Caracas, Venuzuela  
Finish: Argentina.  
# of Countires: 7
Support:  Fully Supported 
Accomodations: Camping 
Terrain: Paved and Dirt     

My two cents:  I love the idea of cycling the continent from end to end but six months is a long time to be on tour.  It would be one heck of an epic ride though.  This tour would be as difficult, if not more difficult than our tour across Africa.  There will certainly be more climbing.  I’ve heard that the Salt pans of Bolivia are absolutely amazing.  This tour appeals to me for its diversity of landscape and riding conditions and because there is just something that makes sense about riding the continent from end to end.  Feels more complete that way.
 
  
Contender #2:  

Descent into Amazonia Former TdA staffer and adventure guru Randy Pielsticker designed this one. He is also the man responsible for designing our current South American Tour, The Vuelta Sudamericana.  The plan is to cycle from Quito to Manaus in 80 days. From the glacier capped volcanoes of the Andes to the belly of the confluence of the Rio Negro and the Amazon.    

Challenges:  Remoteness, political situation, no one cycles thru Amazonia! 

Highlights:    Glacier capped volcanoes, The Amazon River, the mountains between Columbia and Venezuela, no one cycles through Amazonia!      


Time: 80 Days 
Distance: about 8000 km 
Start: Quito, Ecuador 
Finish: Manaus, Brazil 
# of Countries:
Support:  Fully supported, budget tour Accomodations: Camping     

My 2 Cents:  Well knowing Randy this tour, even though it’s short by our standards, will be epic.  It will travel through remote places and has a real ‘explorers’ feel to it.  Cycling through Amazonia will be brutal but worth it. 
 
    

Contender # 3            

Trans-Amazonian There is that ‘Trans’ word again!  As the creator of the tour puts it: Beaches + Amazon + Andes = awesome.  This tour designer lives in Brazil.   Living in South American certainly has its advantages when designing a tour and Cristiano has put some thought in to this one.  This tour also travels to Manaus, Brazil but by boat, not bike, which is a nice element to add to the tour.    

Challenges:  Not being distracted by the beautiful men and women of Brazil while you are cycling along the beach!, Climbing over the Andes.    

Highlights:  The beaches of Brazil, cycling the remote Transamazonean Highway.  The decent into the Sacred Valley at Urcos.     


Time: 90 days 
Distance: approx 9000 kms 
Start: Recife, Brazil 
Finish: Lima, Peru 
# of Countries: 3 
Support: Full Support 
Accomodations: Camping       

My 2 Cents:  I think this tour is deceivingly difficult. I’m also not sure it is actually 9000 km long or will take 3 months but that can be sorted out later.  My guess is it can be done in two months, or maybe two and a half. I like the idea of a boat ride along the Amazon as part of the tour.  Of course cycling over the Andes will be amazing and the decent into Sacred Valley sounds incredible.  Not my favorite of the 3 but since Cristiano lives in Brazil I have to think he knows something I don’t. 
 
    
That’s our match up for this week.  What do you think?  If I was giving you a free trip to do one of these tours, which one would you choose?  Is there something missing?  Where would you rather go?  

Leave your ideas in the comments and help us bring one of these tours closer to reality.    

Find out more about Dream Tours on our website: http://tourdafrique.com/dreamtours   

Get up to date news about all our tours by signing up for our monthly newsletter or by following us on Facebook.     

Thanks for reading. 

Paul 

Posted January 27, 2011 by Paul McManus
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Things to do in the Motor City



Read any news stories about Detroit these days and your bound to come away with the impression that the city is dying, if not already dead.  Once a great example of American ingenuity and prosperity the city has been on the decline since the gas crisis of the 1970’s and the recent recession and trouble in the auto industry has been a huge blow.  It’s hard to find a grocery store open the the downtown area let alone find a job.    

Despite the gloomy reports, Detroit is one of the cities on the North American Epic bike tour that I am most excited to visit.  I think the reports of her death are grossly exaggerated and if you hunt around and look in the right places you will start to see stories of the urban renewal that is beginning in the Motor City.  Just ask Johnny Knoxville, who made this great video.   Be sure to watch from 5:30 to about the 8 minute mark in that video...  200 White kids on Bicycles?  That could be us!   It’s quite a story.    

I think its an exciting time to visit Detroit, I can hardly wait. But what is there to do in the city?  Here are a few suggestions:   

The Detroit Art Show: 
We arrive in Detroit on July 22nd and have a rest day there on the 23rd.  The annual Ann Arbor Art Show will be held on that same weekend.  I wish I could take credit for being an master planner and scheduling the tour to be in Detroit on this date but truth be told we are just very lucky to be able to see this award winning art fair while we are there.  Ann Arbor is about 30 km from Detroit so you will need to hop on a bus to get there but my guess is it would be well worth it.  The tour will actually pass very close to Ann Arbor on the way into Detroit.    

Go Fishing: 
Don’t forget that Detroit is located in between Lake Erie and Lake St. Claire.  So if you are so inclined you can always go fishing.    

21 things to do for under $20 Here is a great list of things to do for under $20.  I've listed a few of the highlights here:   

1) Go Bowling - Detroit is still considered the bowling capitol of the world.  

2) Go see a Detroit Tigers baseball game 

3) Go for a Walk. Downtown, along the Detroit Riverwalk or take a guided tour.  

4) There is also the Detroit Zoo 

5) And you can always visit one of the many Museums.  In fact if you’re looking for me on the rest day you’ll probably find me at either the Motown Musuem or Marvelous Marvins Mechanical Musuem! (or possibly at the local pub).    

So there are a few ideas for you. Look for more detailed updates from the road as I scout the entire route of the tour a little later this year.  

As always you can email us with any questions or join the discussion forum over on our Facebook Page. 

To find out more about the North American Epic Bike Tour, or any of the other 9 tours we are running in 2011, vist our website:  www.tourdafrique.com   

Paul 


Posted January 19, 2011 by Paul McManus
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Our Raffle Winner


                                Our Contest Winner


January 19, 2011 
FSU student and president of the FSU cycling club Josh Valentine recently entered a raffle from Bicycle Tallahassee and won free section on the North American Epic Bike Tour from Tour d’Afrique.  

The raffle was held in the month of December to raise funds for the bike education programs of Bicycle Tallahassee, started in 2009 by Ken Foster.  The raffle was a great success and raised more than $1000 for the organization.    

Josh will be joining the tour for its last section, the 1600 km journey from Quebec City, Quebec to St. John’s Newfoundland.  Born and raised in Tallahasee, Josh is a student at FSU and president of the FSU Cycling Team.  Before he joins the tour on August 8th Josh will be busy hiking the Appalachian trail from Harper’s Ferry, WV to Baxter State Park in Maine.  That’s more than 1100 miles of hiking followed by almost 1000 miles of biking!  If Josh would just add in a swim across the Great Lakes he could compete the worlds longest triathlon!   

Bicycle Tallahassee is one of five chapters of Trips for Kids that Tour d’Afrique will be supporting as part of the North American Epic Bike Tour.    

Congratulations to Josh, we look forward to seeing you on tour.  

Posted January 19, 2011 by Paul McManus
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7 exhilirating adventures to choose from



While you may have missed the opportunity to cycle Tour d’Afrique and Indian Adventure this year, the good news is that we’re offering 7 other equally exciting cycling adventures in 2011.

Settle back, check them out and start planning!

North American Epic – San Francisco to St. John’s.
USA and Canada
29 May – 28 August

North America has a long history of explorers and opportunists who've taken up the challenge of crossing large swaths of the continent, including les Voyageurs, Gold Rush miners, Lewis and Clark, and Jack Kerouac.  In this tradition comes the North American Epic, unlike any other bicycle tour on the continent. From the Pacific Coast of California to the Atlantic Coast of Newfoundland; this expedition captures the immensity of the land and embraces the beauty of the open road.

Heads up! Register by Feb 1 and save $500.
(Discount applies to full tour riders.)

Orient Express – Paris to Istanbul
France, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey
5 June – 24 July

Explore the ‘new’ Europe on the old continent with the Orient Express Bicycle Tour. From the French vineyards, to the spas of Budapest and the spices of Turkish bazaars, this is a magical continental tour unlike any other.

Heads up! Register by Feb 1 and
save Euro 250.
(Discount applies to full tour riders.)

Samba Tango – Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires
Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina
5 September – 2 October

Clip on your dancing shoes and join us on this exciting trip from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires. Cycle through verdant rain forests, along hard-packed beaches and past towering mountains. Enjoy the spicy local cuisine and the hospitality of some of the world's friendliest and best known cities.

Vuelta Sudamericana – Buenos Aires to Lima
Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru
23 September – 13 December

This incredible expedition explores the diversity of South America.  In keeping with the Tour d'Afrique mandate, it is a trans-continental journey that meanders across the landscape, linking a variety of cultural and wilderness destinations en route from Buenos Aires to Lima. Vuelta has been designed to follow the most favourable patterns of wind, heat and precipitation and to enable riders to experience the full diversity of the continent.

Spotlight on Turkey – Ankara to Istanbul
Turkey
4 September to 2 October

Starting in Ankara, the tour passes through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cappadocia and its eerie underground cities, and offers you the opportunity to experience the hypnotic dances of the Sufi Whirling Dervishes in Konya. You will spin along the winding roads and through the small villages of the Taurus Mountains, the stunning coastlines of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, and the historic sites of Ephesus, Pergamon and Troy. Finally you will ride into one of the world's greatest cities, Istanbul. If you’re interested in exploring Turkey’s contemporary culture and its fascinating historical sites, this is the tour for you.

Spotlight on Namibia
Put on your fatties and join us for a spectacular off-road ride in Namibia. Do one or both tours – with a week’s break in Windhoek in between.

The Rugged North – Windhoek to Etosha
Namibia
28 August to 16 September

Head out from beautiful Windhoek, past the rolling hills of the Khomas Hochland and on through the Damaraland. Scan the vast, rugged landscape for glimpses of the rare and elusive desert elephants.  Experience the wild, desolate beauty of the Skeleton Coast , the pristine land of the nomadic Himba tribe and the teeming wildlife at the Etosha National Park on this exhilirating cycling adventure.

The Scenic South – Windhoek to Luderitz
Namibia
25 September – 14 October

Wildlife sightings from the saddle are guaranteed as we head west from Windhoek through the beautiful Namib Naukluft  Park and across the Tinka flats.  From the coastal town of  Swakopmund  we cycle south through the wide open Namib desert and across the Namib Rand Nature Reserve, passing  giant, ancient sand dunes and riding alongside the wild horses of this spectacularly beautiful area.  The charming coastal German town of Luderitz, with its fascinating history, waits to be explored.

Can’t take a month or two off?
Our tours are designed to accommodate riders with time constraints.  Tour Finder is a great tool for matching up the time you have available with various sections of our tours. 

Dream Tours
None of the above grabs you?  Then join our growing Dream Tours community and create your very own cycling adventure!  Once the minimum number of people required  to make it viable have committed to joining your Dream Tour, we’ll  step in and do the rest . The best part of it?  As the Tour founder you’ll ride for free!  Alternatively, browse through the existing Dream Tours - and if you see one you’d like to do - count yourself in.

Have a question?
Send us an email at info@tourdafrique.com

Stay up to date

Our monthly newsletter is a great way to stay up to date with the timings and progress of our tours. You can also join our Facebook page and follow our Twitter stream for more immediate information.

We look forward to welcoming you on one of our tours this year.

The Tour d’Afrique Team

info@tourdafrique.com

Posted January 19, 2011 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
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The North American Epic Bike Tour

Thanks for your Interest in  
The North American Epic !
 

The North American Epic can be ridden as a full tour (3 months, 8000 km) or as one of five shorter sections or combination of sections.  

The tour starts May 29th in San Francisco, California and passed though 9 states and 5 provinces on its way to St. John's Newfoundland.  

The tour is the longest supported tour of the continent available and the only one to travel through both the US and Canada.  


  The Route:  

       

Sections and Pricing:  
You can ride the North American Epic as a Full Tour, as an individual section or a combination of sections.  Need a custom start / end date?  Just email us and we’ll see what we can do.   

Section Destination and Distance Start / End Date Entry Fee
Full Tour San Francisco to St. John’s 8000 km,  May 29 - August 28 2011 $9950
The Wild West San Francisco to Flagstaff 1575 km, May 29 - June 14, 2011 $2400
Across the Great Divide Flagstaff to Wichita 1900 km, June 16 - July 4, 2011 $2700
The Land of Oz Wichita to Chicago 1225 km, June 6 - July 17, 2011 $1800
Urban Pleasures Chicago to Quebec City 1700 km, July 19 - August 8, 2011 $2900
Maritime Charm Quebec City to St. John’s 1600 km Aug 10 - Aug 28, 2011 $2700
   

Register for the Tour before Feb 1st and receive $500 off your full tour entry fee. Find out more and Register here: 

Specific questions or needs?  Please email us at:  info@tourdafrique.com 
     
Thanks.    The Tour d’Afrique Team.  

Posted January 14, 2011 by Paul McManus
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