You might not need to go all the way to France any more for a great cycling vacation.
George Hincapie has taken his role as cycling domestique of many years with Lance Armstrong and parlayed it into a cyclist’s dream.
Hincapie & Armstrong racing the 1992 Tour DuPont
He’s started Hotel Domestique, in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Greenville, South Carolina. From the photos, you might have to shake your head to realize you’re not really in France. It’s actually in Travelers Rest, SC. The hotel has 13 rooms, all beautifully appointed.
The hotel previously existed as a bed and breakfast and has been re-designed. George is available to ride with the guests if they’re not too busy lounging by the pool, in the bar or the upscale restaurant manned by Chef Adam Cooke. There is also a library, vineyards and they offer corporate retreats and serve as a location for special events. As with Hincapie Sports, his brother Rich as also a partner in this.
Restaurant 17 in the hotel
George raced the Tour de France for 17 years, and rode for the USPS, Discovery and BMC teams as well as the US National team back in 1992.
He got the idea for the hotel while on training rides around Greenville. He’s been to this particular place for dinner and loved the place and the location. It made him feel like he was still in France or Italy.
For cycling enthusiasts, they can do yoga in the morning, then breakfast, followed by a 2-4 hour ride, massage, wine tasting, hiking or going into town. They’re also working on a deal to partner with a local golf community for guests who prefer that. Sometimes other pro cyclists are onhand to ride along- Christian Vandevelde was the most recent. There is a small bike shop and an on-site bike mechanic as welll as rental mountain and road bikes compliments of BMC in case you haven’t brought your own. And it’s not just for men; women, beginners and miscellaneous rides are all part of the experience.
