Has anyone ever been out to catch a bit of the tour?

[sonic909]

Was thinking about doing just a few days mini break in july to see a bit of the TDF...

Just wanna get caught up in it all for a stage or two and take the missus to some sunshine and have a mini adventure!

Any recommendations?

[Phil S]

I work there every year for BBC Radio 5 Live. Your best bet this year if you don't want the hassle of travelling loads between stages is the Pyrenees. You can say in a place like Pau, or look a bit further afield for something quieter. We always stay in the Hostellerie Sept Molles near Sauveterre. Great for cycling and a decent location for all the Pyrenees stages. Oh, and an absolutely blinding restaurant. Armstrong has stayed there in the past when training down that way.

[Snoop Doug]

Phil's idea sounds fantastic! I've gone across to watch the finish a couple of times avec la famille. I imagine it is completely different to the rest of the race as it is all over bar the shouting. Still, it's a nice excuse to visit Paris and with all the other stuff to do in that great city - it keeps us all happy

[Dombo]

[quote="marco"]so you can get right up to the riders when they are on their turbos etc.

[higg]

I would go to the mountains every time.

A few years ago I stayed with a few friends in a gite for a week in Grand Bronand (near?? Cluses). We got a local OS (IGN) map and had a good week of mountain biking in local hills. The etape came through mid week and the TdF proper came through at the weekend. The race wasn't due until late afternoon but from the morning people were walking, some cycling up the hill (Col de Colombiere) to grab a spot for a picnic. We cut the ride short that day grabbed whatever food was left after the week and joined them. Very relaxed carnival atmosphere waiting for the race. The main road was closed for the whole day so that night the locals put the benches out in the main square, cooked a cauldron of some cornmeal mixture, put on a band etc.

This year the Pyrennes is where it's at, its the anniversary of using the Tourmalet the first time. Somewhere around there would be good.

Try to avoid using a car on the day the tour comes round, with road closures, parking etc. it can take hours to get everybodys car off the mountain after the race. Much better to walk/cycle and spend your time in a local bar/restaraunt.


Aodan.

[Elliot M]

Definitely the mountains. Otherwise they'll be past in the blink of an eye (unless Paris of course where you get 20 or so blinks). Preferably near the top of a pass. Then you get to see them suffer!

Saw Landis' controversial stage on the Joux-Plane a few years back: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elliot100/ ... 209218848/

Was MTBing around Morzine, took chairlift up to the top of the mountain and rode down to the pass. Stage finish and start next day was in Morzine, a bit of stealthy nipping round barriers got us into the paddock: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elliot100/ ... 209740037/

[Rob Taylor]

The mountains are the best place to watch for sure - saw my first mountain stages last year - but you need to plan things - ie getting up the mountain (if you want to be near the top) if you plan to be by car need to be there night before really etc..... The Tourmalet will be the place to be - was on the Ventoux last year and it was rammed -they even stopped people walking up from about 5km to the summit about 3hrs befor the caravan if i remember right. if you are going you might as well make it more than a couple of days even if you ony watch 1 or 2 stages of the Tour

Or otherwise head to Rotterdam and catch the build up / prologue then first couple of stages across northern France (what im thinking of). wont be able to garentee the sunshine though - and as others mentioned the bunch passes quick on the flat - unless split by cobbled chaos this year!

[img]http://i50.tinypic.com/2a95wrk.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i48.tinypic.com/2rc0lqv.jpg[/img]

Otherwise a weekend trip in May to amsterdam for the Giro!

Oh and be warned its addictive - when you come back you will be planning the following years trip!

[higg]

Or try the Tour of Flanders cycle sportif, and then stay for the real event the day after. Just book your accomodation early.

If you get around Oudenarde it's possible to see them pass at a few points or Gerardsbergen for the decisive hills.


Aodan.

[Andrew G]

Another option is to go over for the Dauphine as a lot of the tour riders will be there, the crowds won't be as bad/mad on the mountains so you can get up and down easier to watch. Depending on how you fair in very hot sun the temperature could be better too. I plan on going over to catch it on Ventoux at some point but not this year.