Tommy Pace, one of our DuVine guides has put together his own list of FAQ’s, inspired by his year of hosting guests and fielding their questions while on bicycle tours in France:
Is this really a job or is it just an extended vacation?
It is a serious job with moments of pleasure. For every tour there are countless hours spent behind the scenes to create perfect vacations for the guests. There’s lots of driving, shopping and cleaning. Some days we do bike maintenance, other days we develop and create new routes. And research – guides do lots of research to learn about the regional food, wine and history. Each tour is different and there is always a diverse set of challenges to overcome before, during and after the trip. That being said, once the hard work is done, we enjoy fabulous rides with our guests. We taste rare wines and eat to our heart’s content; it is incredible.
The life of a guide: bike eat drink sleep
How did you end up here?
My first exposure to the French culture was when I was fourteen years old; I spent a month with a French family in Southern France. I didn’t speak any French but I was forced to learn. Years later I repeated the experience spending an entire year attending a French high school. Following those life-changing experiences, I earned a BA in French from Gettysburg College and a MA in French from The University of Colorado at Boulder. Wanting to share my passion for France, I taught for a number of years before transitioning to DuVine Adventures where I could combine my love for France with biking, gastronomy and wine.
What do you do when you’re not leading a tour?
Easy question – BIKE, EAT, DRINK, SLEEP. My brief vacations between bicycle tours consisted of exploring the Dordogne region, visiting friends in Paris and going on a solo bike tour in the Alps (185 miles of riding with 23,000’ of climbing in four days!).
What is a good day like?
The mist lifts from vineyards as the sun slowly warms the surrounding countryside with a warm soft light. I sip my coffee, enjoy a flaky pastry and discuss the regional specialties with a table of DuVine guests. We set out through the fields and forests, past Châteaux and churches. Our ride is only interrupted by photo opportunities and a delicious picnic prepared by my co-guide. After a relaxing afternoon, we head over to a small winery where we explore the work of a local winemaker and learn about his passion. We sit down to eat in his home; the wine is delicately balanced and sensational. The food is rich, flavorful and exquisite. I sleep like a baby knowing that I have the best job in the world.
Do you ever have bad days?
Occasionally there are challenging days. They usually start without coffee…
Luckily for everyone involved, the good days are plentiful and the difficult days are practically nonexistent thanks to my co-guides and the exceptional, forward-thinking DuVine staff that have created fabulous itineraries.
DuVine arriving at Chambord
What is your favorite tour?
All of our tours are great but I really like the Bordeaux bicycle tour – the wine is incredible!
What is your favorite visit?
Bordeaux bicycle tour – Château Carbonneau
Loire bicycle tour – Domaine Flammand Delétang
Provence bicycle tour – Chocolatier Joël Durand
What is the best part of the job?
The people make the experience. On every tour we get to visit phenomenal locals who share their passions, and regional specialties, with the group. Each week I get to meet new DuVine guests who are enthusiastic and exciting. And my co-guides in France are incredible, funny and intelligent. I’m constantly learning from everybody with whom I interact.
Sum up the experience in one sentence.
The life of a DuVine guide can be extremely rewarding, nerve-wracking, exciting, educational and frustrating all at the same time.
Vertical Tasting at Guiraud
Would you do it again?
Looking back on a season of guiding, I can easily say that it was an amazing experience – an experience that I am excited to repeat.
What are your top-5 highlights from the season?
Riding all out to catch the ferry from Blaye to Lamarque on a private tour.
Barrel samples of the 2009 Château Rauzon-Segla
Meeting Thierry Manoncourt
Tasting 1996 Chateau Palmer
Working with the entire DuVine team in Burgundy.
I hope this helps give you a picture of the life of a DuVine guide. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me. Enjoy the winter season and sign up now for your next DuVine bicycle tour in France.
Grand Saint Bernard
À l’année prochaine…
