Harrow cycling enthusiast Mike Blakeney has been so inspired by his experience of cycling the Etape du Tour' in the annual race the Tour de France' that he has started his own company. Tracey Treanor went to find out more.

Mike, 43 is passionate about France and cycling, he loves the food and the culture, the language and the wine. After Mike took up cycling ten years ago he realised that it was the best way to see the country.

Mike from Radnor Avenue cycled around France when ever he went their on holiday. He then decided to organise tours for his friends.

He said: "I love maps and planning routes, and I really enjoy being able to show people the best that France has to offer."

Mike also used to ride every Sunday with the Gregarios (the local cycle club) and from early 2000 he decided to give himself a challenge of riding in the Etape de Tour in July 2001.

The Etape du Tour' takes place on one day during the Tour de France' in July each year, and allows 7500 keen amateur cyclists the opportunity to ride one of the mountain stages that will be covered by the professionals two or three days later.

The stage is 120 miles long over some of the toughest mountains in France, and those who finish take between five and 10 hours to complete it.

Mike, a partner in a local accountancy firm, first tried his chances at the Etape' in 2001, and then again last year in 2002. He said: "I so enjoyed it the first time that I decided to organise a group to go the next year. The tour went so well that I was encouraged to start my own company, French Cycling Holidays, to offer more relaxed touring of the country to a wider audience."

Before starting his own company, It was a tough nine months, as evening after evening Mike researched hotel guides, road maps, websites, leaflets. He tried to do it all while juggling his career and spending time with his three children, Joe, six, Eleanor, four and Isabelle, two.

He added: "My wife Ruth is very understanding and supportive and has helped a lot."

Ruth said: "We do miss him when he goes away, but I am glad he is doing something he really enjoys."

Mike counts himself luckily as he is self employed therefore he has some flexibility but he did admit that "I'ts sometimes like trying to have several lives all running at once."

The new company, offers seven-day guided cycling tours of some of France's most beautiful regions Loire, Provence, Dordogne, Languedoc staying in two-star and three-star hotels. The distances covered are about 30 miles each day, allowing time to appreciate the beauty of the countryside and to experience its world-famous cuisine, while luggage is transported by minibus between hotels.

"All you have to do is pedal is our motto and we do all the rest, even down to providing the bikes!"

"The level of interest in our tours has been phenomenal," said Mike, who led the first tour, to Provence, on May, 24.

Most people have heard of Mike through the website, and a lot of their bookings have been from North America and Australia. He will be running tours weekly right through until October this year, and is really looking forward to introducing others to the delights of life on a bike in France.

Mike will still find time to ride in the Etape' again this year though. "I'm organising a trip for The Gregarios again this year. I hope to improve on my placing last year of 5162th however!" Mike said.

French Cycling Holidays Ltd: 020 8861 5888 or http://www.frenchcyclingholidays.com