Tour Fever Debuts in the Shenandoah Valley
Bike Book Author J.P. Partland to Ride and Sign Books in Tour of Shenandoah

Harrisonburg, Virginia -- At age 37-, Tour Fever author J.P. Partland is the grizzled old team leader of New Jersey-based Watchung Wheelmen/High Gear Cyclery, a team mostly comprised of solid, speedy college-age riders.

But, Partland can hang with his young teammates during the Tour of Shenandoah, which rolls April 25-30.  Partland’s best results include a 5th place in the 2002 Team Pursuit Nationals.  An 11th place finish at the 1993 Iditasport Ultramarathon attests to an endurance-cycling gene. 

In 2004, Partland raced La Marmott, a ride/race that climbs several big mountains of the Tour de France.  “As I climbed the Cols du Glandon, Telegraphe, and Galibier, I kept on riding past people,” Partland recalls his favorite ride.  “Off the Col du Lautaurets, I caught a group, which I towed to the foot of L’Alpe d’Huez, and dropped them all on the climb to the summit.  At the end of 108 miles, the setting was motivation enough to rocket the final kilometer and sprint over the line,” Partland adds with more than a hint of reverence to the legendary cycling route.

With his broad cycling experience, it makes sense that Partland is an accomplished cycling writer.  He’s written for several cycling magazines and has authored a few bike-related books.  Partland recently finished writing Tour Fever, The Armchair Cyclist’s Guide to the Tour de France.

A must-read for any bike-fan, the factual, entertaining book has received rave-reviews from well known cyclists.  “Tour Fever is like a text book about how the Tour de France operates,” says Frankie Andreu, nine-time Tour de France finisher and captain of the Tour de France-winning U.S. Postal Service team in 1999-2000.  (For more book details: www.tourfever.com )

Tour Fever officially goes on sale on May 2, 2006, but Tour of Shenandoah, J.P. Partland, and his publisher are planning to make at least 50 advance copies available at the Tour of Shenandoah and are organizing at least one Tour Fever book-signing event during the race.  Currently, J.P. Partland is scheduled to sign books at the Tour of Shenandoah Start/Finish area in Court Square in Harrisonburg on Tuesday (April 25) afternoon before the 6 p.m. criterium.  Tour Fever book sales and signings will likely occur at other race venues and Shenandoah Valley area book stores during the week too.     

“We’re thrilled to have J.P. at the race,” says Dave LaMay, Director of Race Operations for Tour of Shenandoah.  “He and his young team are strong bunch of riders, and we’re really honored to have J.P. debut his cool, new book about Le Tour,” adds LaMay. 

Check www.tourofshenandoah.com soon for updates and for more details about where and when to find Tour Fever at the Tour of Shenandoah.
                         
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