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Fairmont Monte Carlo: The Only Way to Watch the Tour de France

Filed under: Journeys, Sports

There are two ways to take in the Tour de France. One is to cram yourself into a spot along some godforsaken stretch of road with all the other riffraff. You can hope to get a look at the action ... as long as they person in front of you isn't tall. Or, you can find your way to Monaco's F1 circuit, where the race departs. Instead of schlepping out to the site, you can stay nearby. Without the hassle of getting to and from, you might actually enjoy the experience!

To help you enjoy the kickoff of the 96th Tour, the Fairmont Monte Carlo has put together a great package. Stay from July 1 to July 5, and you can pick up a room for €529 (around $735) a night, with a buffet breakfast included.

So, if you've ever wanted to witness the greatest cycling spectacle of all time, here's your chance to do it the right way. Once the riders depart, drop some cash on the roulette table, and sip a wine carefully crafted in Provence. Do everything that those dedicated athletes can't. The lucky racers won't be back until next year, but you can take a few more days to play with the wealthy.

Rails to Trails Conservancy, Charity of the Day

Filed under: Charity, Green, Charity of the Day

Since 1986, Rails to Trails Conservancy has been repurposing old railroad tracks into hiking and biking trails with its goal to create "nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people."

I'd heard about this group, but forgot about it until a few days ago, when taking a different route home, I noticed two nearby streets had dedicated bicycle lanes, and my memory was sparked. I think this group has more significance than ever, as more and more people are going green, and walking and biking more. The conservancy even has a pledge you can sign to "Burn Calories, Not Carbon!" I like that this group was ahead of its time, and isn't just jumping on the green bandwagon, or "greenwashing" its claims.

The conservancy has a strong political arm, defending the federal railbanking statute in Congress and the courts as an essential tool to preserve unused rail corridors. Read about how you can get involved.

The $279 bike seat

Filed under: Gadgets


Remember the '80s?

Sure, you can reminisce about the Cyndi Lauper or Premier Gorbachev or  Top Gun if you want, but to me the '80s were defined by the Pentagon spending scandal over the infamous $600 toilet seat.

600 dollars for a toilet seat, you say? How old-fashioned! It's a new millenium, and I'd like to present you with the $290 bike seat. Made by fi'zi:k (pronounced "physique"), the Arione Braided Carbon saddle is a combination of comfort, light weight, style and plain, old-fashioned bling. It uses braided carbon rails to absorb shock and "wing-flex" construction to free up thigh movement.

In other words: the saddle won't chafe you, even if the price does.

[photo via fi'zi:k]


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