It's looking like a better route than the Giro
Eminently better as it goes down the valley right below the ski station apartment I've been staying at just outside Bourg St Maurice for the past few years.
Which is the day it traverses what's my favourite Alpine climb and one I've done numerous times, the Cormet de Roselend.
Now to decide where to watch it:
- on the western ascent from Beaufort - 2-hour ride over the Cormet to get there, then slow/delayed descent/escape back to Bourg after the race, due to crowds etc.
- on the blindingly fast (especially if westerly wind) top section of the descent, to see what 60mph looks /sounds like from the spectator's point of view - again, slow descent/escape.
- at Bruyneel corner lower down the descent, standing by ready to haul out anyone who goes down the ravine he did (ref. OLD POST) - slowish escape/descent.
- on the valley road where the race goes past the bottom of the 7-mile climb to the apartment (how many times have I done that climb, which needs ascending at the end of every (usually gruelling) ride?!) - easy escape after it's gone by.
- from a café in Bourg - relaxed, easy option.
- somewhere else.
The day before, it's going over the Col de L'Iseran before descending through Val d'Isere and then turning to climb up to Tignes. So that'll be a monster ride from the apartment to get to a decent vantage point, and a late, knackered finish. Hopefully the road up to Val d'Isere from Bourg will be closed to motor traffic for some of its length - or maybe a day for a drive/ride combination.
And the day before that it's a 2-3 hour drive and then 2-hour bike ride over the Col du Telegraphe to watch it somewhere on the Galibier descent, or in Valloire.
Pleasant conundrums to have.....