Tour de France 2012

[Kingwill]

Hi

I've been road cycling for a couple of years now and quite fancy travelling to watch the last week of this years Tour.

The last week is the pyrenees and that's the week I'd prefer as I could also travel on the way back to watch the final day in Paris.

Now I've never done anything like this and so I wondered if anyone has experience of this that they would like to share some do's, don't's and misc advice for a noob.

 

[HLaB]

The only tour I have been to is the Vuelta and it was an organised tour but what hit me is a good knowledge of the schedule is required, ie when roads shut to cars, and when the shut to all vehicles (including bikes). I also think that for some of the best viewing points you have to be there well in advance, judging by the caravan you see on tv.

 

[Herzog]

Hi

I've been road cycling for a couple of years now and quite fancy travelling to watch the last week of this years Tour.

The last week is the pyrenees and that's the week I'd prefer as I could also travel on the way back to watch the final day in Paris.

Now I've never done anything like this and so I wondered if anyone has experience of this that they would like to share some do's, don't's and misc advice for a noob.

If you're going to one of the showpiece stages (e.g., a mountain top finish), get there early (perhaps the day or two before - depends on stage) and be ready to defend your space. Take a radio, lots to drink (not all alcoholic), lots to eat, and be prepared to get irritated by by people running along the road spoiling the little vantage point you've secured.

Alternatively you could go somewhere in the middle of the stage and watch as the peloton comes flying past you...it's a pretty powerful sight.