I am planning a trip to see the TdF this year and wondered if anyone had actually taken the plunge and done this independantly?
I will be looking to arrive at Toulouse 12 July and stay for 3 nights to see the Toulouse - Bagneres-de-Bigorre stage and the Pau - Hautacam stage.
I%26#39;ve found varuous tours online, however, the flights do not match up with the pick up transfers by the companies involved, therefore we would have to hire a car - so I thought it would make more sense to DIY the tour myself.
Any help with this would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance - I look forward to any suggestions you may have.
Many thanks
Lindsay
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Hi Lindsay,
I have seen the Tour a few times in various places although never in the Pyrenees. I really don%26#39;t think you need to take a tour, it is not difficult to do it yourself. You may not need it but nearer the time the Tour de France website publishes a very detailed timetable for each stage with all roads and approximate times listed.
I don%26#39;t think the Pyrenees are as bad as the stages in the Alps but it will be very busy. Many people will have camped out on the mountain to get a good spot for the day, so if you aren%26#39;t going to do this and you want to see the best climbs I would say go very, very early both to get a good place and ensure you are up there before the road closes (they do this very early if it is busy - a couple of years ago the Alpe d%26#39;huez road was closed the day before). Take plenty of food, water, books and some means of keeping in touch with the race and settle down for a long wait. Also allow for a few hours to get back down the mountain after the riders have gone through. Once the road has reopened the traffic is horrendous. If you don%26#39;t mind the uphill walk you may even be better leaving your car at the bottom if you don%26#39;t intend to go too far up. (I think in the same year I mentioned before it took some people over a day to clear Alpe D%26#39;Huez as the road was closed until the next day). THe amount of people there may well depend on how the race is going, if a French or Spanish rider is doing well it will probably be busier.
If you are staying in Toulouse the first night I think it may be difficult for you to get to the climbs later on that day, especially when the roads are being closed and it is a Sunday which will probably have more people there, and it could take you a long time to get back. You may be better trying to get a hotel somewhere near to where you want to be on the route. Same goes for the next day.
It may be helpful (if you haven%26#39;t already done so) to post a similar message on a forum attached to a cycling magazine or something like that as I%26#39;m sure there will be plenty of people who have been to the same stages and can give you better advice.
I hope this is helpful and I haven%26#39;t said anything too obvious - you may well know all this as you are obviously cycling fans. I would definately go if you can, despite the long wait and some problems in getting up and down the mountains, the atmosphere is great, you will meet some really nice and always interesting people and seeing the race live is incredible
Alison
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Thank you so much Alison,
I now feel more confident about making my own arrangements, as the designated tours were rather expensive too. I didn%26#39;t realise the TdF site would have times, detailed maps etc. so that info is much appreciated.
I%26#39;ll take your advise and find a cycling forum and hope I can get everything sorted in the next couple of weeks. Fingers crossed!
Many thanks again - if you think of any other advise, please do not hesitate to contact me again. Although I am not a massive fan myself, I do take an interest as my partner loves it and this is a birthday surprise for him - so I am hoping it will all come together.
Best wishes
Lindsay
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We were in the same dilemma. We are flying into Toulouse, hiring a car and staying at a Gite at St Marie Campan. From what I can gather we will be able to see two stages from this spot.
The place we are staying is http://www.gite-chambre-bernatou.com/
We have also managed to hire bikes in the area.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Robyn
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Hi there Robyn,
Thanks for the reply.
Our flight is now confirmed into Toulouse also and currently I have a reservation at the Best Western La Miramont in Argeles-Gazost - although I still have to sort out our car hire !
How long are you staying for - we have a very brief visit planned from the evening of the 12 Jul to the morning of 15 Jul - just enough to see the 2 stages, I hope !
It%26#39;s all a surprise for my partner%26#39;s 40th birthday - last year we did the Velka Pardubice horserace in the Czech Republic and this is the next event on his wish-list - so I am hoping it all goes to plan as I am not a total officianardo of the TdF - which I hope will be easy to negotiate and work in our favour when we get there !
If you find out any other info about routes, how we get around once there for the race days, and best places to be, etc. - I would appreciate it if you drop me a message !
Many thanks - we may even see you there !! Will you be the one in the red devils costume !!??!!
Take care and safe journey
Lindsay
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