MOUNT PLEASANT, South Carolina (AP) -- For everyone who fantasized about competing in the Tour de France, but recognized that their muscles could never make it, Breakaway Adventures is offering a "Tour de France for Wimps" through September 23.

The South Carolina-based company's tour allows you to pedal some of the same streets and countryside of France as the race participants -- but at a more relaxed pace. Instead of 115 miles a day, you'll cover 86 miles over the course of a nine-day trip.

The route runs through forests, farmland, vineyards and villages, with stays in several hotels whose restaurants have won stars from the Michelin guide. The trip begins in Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region of northeastern France, and winds across the German border and back again to France.

Riders get a detailed itinerary with maps and travel at their own pace without a guide, but a local staff member is on call to help with bike problems, move luggage and deliver wine.

The tour costs $1759-$1855 per person.

The real Tour de France started July 1 in Strasbourg, in the Alsace region of eastern France, then passed through Luxembourg, Germany and the Netherlands before winding through the Pyrenees and then the Alps and ending on Paris' Champs-Elysees on July 23 -- a distance of 2,256 miles.

Air travelers feel effects of thwarted plot

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- It took two hours for Ken Kirkwood and his wife to get off their flight from London to Los Angeles, go through customs and retrieve their luggage.

Does airport passenger screening work?

(CNN) -- The long lines and bulging trash cans at U.S. airports due to increased security after a suspected terror plot was uncovered Thursday had some aviation experts questioning the focus of America's air passenger screening system.

Higher security, longer lines in U.S.

NEW YORK (AP) -- -- U.S. air travelers poured out liquids, opened their bags for inspection and endured long waits Thursday as airports heightened security and some flights were canceled or delayed after the discovery of a terror plot aimed at airlines traveling from Britain to the United States.

U.S. raises airline threat level after terror plot foiled

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States on Thursday raised its terror threat level after British police said they had arrested more than 20 suspects in a major terrorist plot to blow up passenger jets flying between the United Kingdom and the United States.

Frommer's launches new guidebook series

NEW YORK (AP) -- A new series of Frommer's guidebooks is coming out -- but these will carry the name of Pauline Frommer rather than her famous father, Arthur.