Tour de France 2007 to Start in London

Sports' most difficult endeavor, the venerable Tour de France, starts in England next year, according to the BBC -- the prologue and one stage will pedal racers through London for the first time in the race's century-plus history, although the race has launched in England twice. American hero Lance Armstrong isn't racing this year or next despite threats made last fall to dominate again.

You love to visit the Tour's route -- this year, the racers roll into Paris July 20. Make Paris hostel reservations this very minute if you're going, and if your plans for next summer include a stop in London around July 1, consider the Tour-loving crowds and plan accordingly-- you can't book a hostel online that far in advance, but you can give it a try via email.

• Top youth hostels in Paris
• Top youth hostels in London
• London's easyHotel pod lodging
• A few Tour facts