What Tour De France stages should I go and see.

[addictfreak]

I would certainly pick a mountain stage, preferably one where you can see the riders coming up the slopes for some distance. And of course I would make sure I had my own bike with me.

 

[bainy16]

How you getting around? I'm not sure whether to hire a car or use public transport. Any thoughts? I was thinking of flying in to Chorges on the 16th, seeing the individual TT on the 17th and then heading to the Alp D'Huez for the 18th? What do you reckon?

we are going over in the car so we can take the bikes, sure which ever part you see will be enjoyable definitly Alp d huez as this is an iconic stage looking at trying to ride up it myself can't wait

 

[Adamskirover]

me too stopping in Grenoble cant wait

We are also stopping in Grenoble the week before and planning on cycling up the alpe 2 days before the pro's. We would like to stay on the mountain the evening of the race and the night before and were hoping that we'd be able to pitch a tent somewhere but not sure if this is possible. Has anybody got any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[brodiej]

time trials.

Great shout.

Another vote for TTs

I went to the TT a few years ago and you have a lot more idea about what's going on than in a normal stage.

I waited by the finish. If you get there early the early finishers are there and they aren't the worst riders - often some of the best - just not up on the GC so a lot of sprinters etc.

The team buses were all parked up by the finish and when the riders finished they went and sat in them or sunned themselves on the grass around and about.

Apart from the USPS bus, the others were all just free to wonder up to.

I spent about 20 minutes cgatting to Magnus Backstedt who was bored having finished but had to wait by the bus for the better TTers to come in.

You can also walk around the course away from the finish and stand alone in an empty street when suddenly a professional athlete whooshes by in the blinking of an eye, with no noise. Twas an amazing sight

 

[bof]

If you do the mountains - take your bike - you can ride up not long beforehand and, secondly, find a view point where you can see the riders on the lower bends, not juts the hairpin you are on.

The year I went the caravan was tossing out cans of beer - practise your catching.

 

[ASC1951]

I'm climbing Alpe D'Huez the week before the pros. Do you reckon they'll do it twice in the time it takes me to do it once?

I did the Ventoux full stage when it was the Etape several years ago and was very pleased to do it in twice the time of the peloton a couple of days later; but the pros are comparatively better the more it climbs, so I wouldn't expect to be anywhere near that on a double ascent of Alp d'Huez.

 

[Chris Norton]

Ventoux or the alpe. You'd find me near dutch corner hanging out there. With a double ascent I reckon you need to be 3 or 4 days ahead of the game to get the good spots. Going to be a hell of a tour this year.