Two choices for citizen cyclists at 2012 l'Etape du Tour

Although the 2012 Tour de France includes a prologue and two individual time trials, the 10,000 cycling enthusiasts who take to the l'Etape du Tour will be challenged by two standard road routes.

The two bicycle rides will let citizen cyclists test themselves against the pros on actual routes from that year's Tour de France, albeit on different days.

Tour de France organizers historically chose the mountainous “queen stage” for each year's l'Etape. Last year, they broadened the participation base by announcing a second, less debilitating route.

Unfortunately, the Tour didn't produce route profiles for this year's announcement on Tuesday, so it will be difficult to compare the two routes. Frankly, both rides appear difficult.

Dates for 2012 are July 8 (Act 1) and July 14 (Act 2).

Act 1 — July 8

This will be the Stage 11 route that the pros ride on July 12. The 140km (87-mile) course rolls out from Albertville to La Toussuire.

It's considered a “high mountains” route and includes several “mythic climbs” up Col de la Madeleine and Col du Gladon, more than 20km each. That's followed by visits to Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Mollard and finally up to the resort of Corbier and La Toussuire.

Act 2 — July 14

This corresponds to Stage 16, which the pros tackle on July 18. The 200km (124 miles) route rolls out from Pau and ends in Bagneres de Luchon. The ride through the Pyrennes will include climbs up Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde.

I thought one of these was supposed to be easy.

Registration

If you want to travel to France to be part of this, check out the registration page at l'Etape du Tour. Online registration opens Nov. 17, 2011, but space is very limited.

Here are the booking agents for the US and Canada where you might be able to save a spot early:

US
Custom Getaways
Cyclomundo
Discover France
High Gear Travel
Ronan Pensec
French Cycling Holidays

Canada
Custom Getaways
Great Explorations
High Gear Travel
On Your Bike
Velo Quebec Voyages

Because these bicycle rides are a little more strenuous than your typical ride around the block, you'll need a medical certificate, and you'll have to prove you not under the influence of any illicit drugs.