About
Us and Our Trips
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Lawrie
and Natalie Cranley with friends
Who is Bikestyle?
Bikestyle Tours is a company founded by Lawrie Cranley (myself) and my wife Natalie. I am 42 years
old, a cyclist of 29 years who has worked in the bicycle industry for over 20 years.
Natalie was a registered nurse before before coming to help me in our growing retail business that
we sold in 2000 to allow us to concentrate on our tour business.
We have been organising trips since 1996 but first travelled to Europe in 1983 spending a year there
working and watching famous races such as the Amstel Gold Race, the Giro d'Italia, Tour of Switzerland,
Tour de France and World Championships.
We've learnt a lot in those years!
We cater for non-cycling partners as well with bus trips to strategic locations along the course and
visits to tourist spots while the cyclists do what cyclists do!
Our trips are designed to give excellent quality, value for money cycling holidays with the emphasis
on cycling while not forgetting to enjoy what our destinations have to offer.
You will be able to ride along quiet scenic roads, through beautiful villages, up famous climbs where
the view is spectacular, down challenging descents and then watch and see how the pros do it. The food
and wine of Europe needs no introduction. The people, you will find warm and friendly.
We like to ensure our travellers get a complete picture of Europe from cycling to tourism and
culture... not to forget the shopping and eating!
Bon Voyage……
Lawrie Cranley,
Bikestyle Pty Ltd
8 Daniel Place, Newmarket, 4051
Queensland, Australia
Ph 61 (0)7 33524230
Fax 61 (0)7 33524270
Visit our website: www.BikeStyle.com.au
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Australian
rider Neil Stephens will provide the perspective of a Tour stage winner
Neil Stephens
Australian cyclist Neil Stephens had a brilliant 14-year career whose
highlights include winning a stage of the 1997 Tour de France and being
one of only a dozen riders ever to complete the big three tours of France,
Spain and Italy in the one season.
In recent years Stephens has become a mentor for younger Australian
cyclists. "He's the only one who kept my morale up when I first started
racing professionally," said Henk Vogels.
It was Stephens' unselfish dedication to his team mates and to the
sport of cycling in Australia that earned him the honour of the Order
of Australia in 1996.
Neil's career
Born: October 1, 1963, in Canberra. Now lives Guipuzkoa, Spain,
with his Spanish-born wife Amaya and daughter Maialen.
1984: Raced overseas for the first time joining the English
ANC team.
1985: Raced in Australia.
1986: Raced in Italy.
1987: Won two stages of the British Milk Race. Held the indoor
hour record for six months.
1988: Fractured his leg in a crash in Milan San Remo World Cup
race and then crashed in Tour of Belgium and broke his collar bone.
Spent most of the season off the bike with injury.
1989-91: Rode for Spanish teams Cajarural, Artiach and in 1991
for Parternina when he won three races in Portugal.
1992: Joined the Spanish ONCE team. First on stage 5 of Tour
of Mallorca (Spain) Fourth on stage 15 of the Tour of Italy. Finished
74th in the Tour de France.
1993: First overall in the Villafranca de Ordizia (Spain). First
on stage 4 of the Bicicleta Vasca (Spain). Second overall Tour of Mallorca
(Spain).
1994: First overall in the Villafranca de Ordizia (Spain). Second
on stage 14 and finished 52nd in the Tour de France.
1995: First overall in the Villafranca de Ordizia (Spain). First
overall
and two stage wins in the Abom-Mt Buller Summer Tour (Australia). Second
on stage 3 and finished 60th in the Tour de France. First overall in
the Skilled Engineering Bay Series (Australia).
1996: First overall in the Tour of Andalucia (Spain). First in
stage 5A of the Tour of the Basque Country (Spain). Represented Australia
at the Atlanta Olympics. Awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services
to the sport of cycling. Finished 49th in the Tour de France.
1997: Joined French professional team Festina. First in stage
17 Fribourg - Colmar where he crossed the line rocking his arms in a
cradling motion to dedicate the win to his newborn daughter and finished
54th in the Tour de France.
1998: Represented Australia at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth
Games. Two stage wins and second overall in the Tour of Tasmania. Fourth
overall in the Prutour of Britain.
Tour de France record: Took part seven times, one stage victory
Tour de France Trips
World Championships Tours
Vuelta A España Tours
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