Each route corresponds to the characteristics of that day’s Tour de France stage, targeted to riders in a specific city somewhere in America.
We’ve all done it — hammered on the last leg of a favorite loop, pretending we’re pushing through a peloton in the Pyrenees Mountains. And while there’s no podium, bouquet, or yellow jersey waiting for us, Tour de France fever is real. So Pearl Izumi and PeopleForBikes teamed up to tap into that spirit to provide a fun and challenging way to get more people on a bicycle this month.
Today, Pearl Izumi announced the Tour of Inspiration, a series of routes, specifically curated to mimic the rigors and environments real Tour de France riders experience. The initiative uses PeopleForBike’s new route-sharing app, Ride Spot, to highlight a special course to align with each stage of the Tour — all 21 of them.
Tour de France Routes in the US
Here’s how it works. For each day of the Tour de France, Pearl Izumi will announce a new route somewhere in the U.S. According to the brand, “each route’s terrain and scenery are designed to emulate aspects of the corresponding stage of the Tour and its distinctive characteristics.”
For stage one, for example, Pearl Izumi chose Minneapolis’ Lillydale Loop because of its steep climbs and cobblestone sections, which simulate the cobbles and climbs of this year’s Brussels start.
Riders can download Ride Spot for free to try the routes, or find details on Pearl Izumi’s blog. Currently, the Tour of Inspiration has four stages available, with more coming as the Tour de France progresses.
And would-be yellow jersey wearers can use Ride Spot to find other local routes, offer beta, join group rides, and share photos from the saddle.
