When I win the lottery, which could occur as early as Wednesday (should I remember to buy a ticket), I will blow big (but relatively small) chunks of dough on these two trips:
September 14-23, 2007: 9 days and almost 500 miles of cycling through southeastern France, including the Tour de France climbs up the Cols du Glandon, du Télégraphe, du Galibier, and de la Madeleine as well as the 21 switchbacks of l'Alpe d'Huez. Imagine the ache in your legs. Imagine the great food in your belly.
March 4-10, 2008: A trip to ski-mad Norway for two big events: city-center sprints in Drammen on Wednesday, March 5, and then, on Saturday, the traditional marathon at Holmenkollen in Oslo. "Holmenkollen is one of the oldest races in the world. This marathon (30km women, 50km men) takes place on a grueling 16.5km loop through the woods above town. There are many, many hundred of km of ski trails so bring your skis and consider staying for the Birkiebeiner the following weekend... When you think of watching Holmenkollen picture Le Alpe Du Huez [sic] in the Tour De France – where the crowd makes a tunnel around the athletes as they churn past. You are not only close you are a part of the event, a part of what makes Holmenkollen as cool as it is." And on top of that spectating spectacle, Norwegian skiing legend Vegard Ulvang is the tour guide - the equivalent of having Michael Jordan in your skybox at the NBA Finals - minus the surliness and gambling problems.