Spectating at Le Tour 2012

[newbuild100]

Hi all.
This is my first post on the site, thanks for letting me in !!

I am thinking of going to france to see perhaps 3 or 4 stages next year (probably the hilly ones. Stages 10/11/12).
Ive never been to spectate before and im not sure what the best thing to do is.

Do I try and follow it (by going to tomorrows stage after todays has finished) ?
Or, do I find somewhere that is kinda central and go to the stages each day from the hotel/campsite ?

Any advice is most welcome.

Thanks

 

[bonj]

Hi all.
This is my first post on the site, thanks for letting me in !!

I am thinking of going to france to see perhaps 3 or 4 stages next year (probably the hilly ones. Stages 10/11/12).
Ive never been to spectate before and im not sure what the best thing to do is.

Do I try and follow it (by going to tomorrows stage after todays has finished) ?
Or, do I find somewhere that is kinda central and go to the stages each day from the hotel/campsite ?

Any advice is most welcome.

Thanks

Get to bagneres de luchon.

 

[endoman]

Or arrive a bit early and watch me do it in the Etape :-) Pau - Bagneres, Shal be having a few beers back in Pau on the Saturday

 

[TVC]

Hi Newbuild,

Welcome. You've chosen to post this in a bit of a backwater set up for researchers and students. Can I suggest you repost your question in the Racing and Pro Cycling section, you will certainly get loads of help from the guys in there.

 

[Lard Armstrong]

Key question is Alps or Pyrenees (or both). I am planning to watch in the Pyrenees, the stages look great and will be decisive, plus there is some great riding to be had (Tourmalet, etc).

Rest day in Pau should be great, lots going on. Plus We will use it to get some cols in whilst there. Once the peloton leaves the Pyrenees, we will have another day's riding before either heading for Paris or home.

You need to figure out accommodation options (many hotels are already booked out), B&B, camping, rough camping, etc.

If you want a no fuss experience, put yourself in the hands of someone like Sports Tours International. More expensive, but less hassle.

I looked at the Bike Bus option but it doesn't work if you want to travel around stages, so we will be taking a car and a van.

Good Luck.

 

[jdtate101]

If you can afford it hire a camper van with a bike rack on the back. Then you can sleep anywhere and if you park up on the side of the road you can climb on the roof and get an excellent view of the stage as they go past.

 

[gavroche]

Whatever you decide, especially mountain stages, get there the night before for a good viewpoint and enjoy the atmosphere.

 

[blindmanpugh]

People often go a week before and park up/camp out to get the best spots. Also the roads used for the race are often closed to everything other than official traffic 8-10 hours before the race passes, as i discovered to my cost. Don't bother with a camper van, a normal van is cheaper, and you can fit everything in you need, including bikes sleeping bags etc etc (and a toilet too!)inside. If you do decide to go take enough food, drinks (particularly water)to last for a minimum of 3 days as you may have to go and park up the night before the race passes and may not be able to get off the mountain until the next day.