Tourmalet 12th July

[Grumpymonkee]

I'm currently touring from Spain to Italy planning to be watching the Tour on the 12th, anyone else going to be around then? Does anyone know when they close the roads, do I need to be up the top the night before?

 

[andrew_s]

In a car, yes. Most of the roadside parking places on the ascent and top part of the descent will have been bagged a couple of days in advance.

On a bike, they will probably start being difficult about 3 or 4 hours before the tour is due through. You can make progress later but walking for a bit every time a a policeman stops you is a bit on the slow side. They will be reasonably strict about having everyone stopped before the time the publicity caravan comes through.

 

[rich p]

If you don't want to camp out overnight I should go bright and early and you should be ok. It will be cooler then too. Bear in mind it will take you an hour and a half to get up there!

 

[Grumpymonkee]

Thank you for the info guys, I'll be pedalling up so an early start it is!