Professional Cycling - Attending stage race as a spectator

I am thinking about going to the Tour of Missouri this year. I love pro cycling, so I want to watch it live, but I am not convince that I can justify the expense and time-off. Other than seeing the stage finishes, or maybe cheering for about a minute as the top riders go by, why would one go to a major stage race? Can you ride the route the day before, or afterwards? Are there other related events going on?

I am thinking about going to the Tour of Missouri this year. I love pro cycling, so I want to watch it live, but I am not convince that I can justify the expense and time-off. Other than seeing the stage finishes, or maybe cheering for about a minute as the top riders go by, why would one go to a major stage race? Can you ride the route the day before, or afterwards? Are there other related events going on?

You will have to go to find out, I watched the tour de france fly by last year and it was intresting. Yes, it is just a blur of bikes flying past but it was a fun afternoon.

You will have to go to find out, I watched the tour de france fly by last year and it was intresting. Yes, it is just a blur of bikes flying past but it was a fun afternoon.

If possible, I would like to gather as much info before planning the trip. I'm afraid comparing the Tour to the the ToM isn't apples to apples, but thanks for the input.

I remember when the World Cup came to Detroit when I was a kid, it was like a party atmosphere and I met many people from several countries. I guess that is what I would hope for...thousands of people, geeking out on cycling and having a good time. I would also like to bring along my bike and do the course. Perhaps camping a few nights and staying at hotels a few nights. This scenario is appealing to me, but I am not sure if this is what it would be like.

I've only been to the ToC, while relatives have gone to the TdF. Only a couple went to the Tour of Missouri, but I haven't ever asked them about it.

The TdF is a huge, huge, huge event that will not compare to the ToM. I see you already know this.

However, when I went to the ToC, we pre-rode a lot of the stages. They started to get equipment to block them off, but never for cyclists. That was fun. The end of the stage was always packed and sweet. It's definitely more of a bike trip beforehand and cheer for the last 30min of a stage, get free stuff/autographs, then on the the next stage.

At the ToC this year (I didn't go last year so I don't know what it was like) they had what they called a "Lifestyle Festival." I assume this was at the start and finish of each stage, though I can't be sure. Anyhow, basically vendors/sponsors and such.

We also had some evening events after the stage as well. I think there was a film screening or something, but it wasn't really promoted. At this point it was still all about Lance's missing bike and the terrible weather and that was pretty much all they were talking about.

That's one thing I really like about the (late, lamented?) Tour de Georgia. At the (unbelievable!) Brasstown Bald finish, the caravan is essentially trapped for a couple of hours as the crowd clears out down the road. There's no cell or internet coverage, and the TV is probably lousy too so a lot the riders are out wandering around checking out the sights. Very easy to meet and chat.

I do hope TdG is back on next year. The TTT at Road Atlanta has got to be the most spectator-friendly pro cycling stage ever.

Get a stage map and lay it over a road map. You can often hit several points along the route.

I have been to a couple of pro cycling events. Each one the roads were open for cyclists before and after the event. The only exceptions were the criterium stages. Since the rider come by so often the police kept the route clear. If you want to see the most action, pick a stage like St. Louis. This is the first stage of the Tour of Missouri this year and is scheduled to be a criterium. Last year as a stage volunteer I was able to see plenty. I never traveled down to the start finish, but I heard there were plenty of vendors and sponsors.

When I watched the Triple Crown of Cycling in Reading, PA., I was able to travel around the route. I was able to see the riders in different locations, including the climb up Mt. Penn.

I hope this helps in you decision.

Check the route map - find a stage where the finish is circuits around town, or a criterium... that gives you the best opportunity to see the riders multiple times.. ToM should have a Lifestyle festival where all the vendors show off their gear, get clif bar samples, hang out by the team buses :) Lots of stuff to do...

On pure road stages, I agree - if you are just out in the country and the peloton goes flying by - is that worth watching?

Be aware that getting close to the finish line at any of the stages requires many hours of waiting... you have to get a spot on the rail and stay there...

The other option is to go for the TT in Branson - not as exciting from a competition pov, but you get to see each rider by themselves... I was here in Sacramento for the Prologue of the ToC this year and I didn't think I'd like it - but it was very cool... find a corner where there is a volunteer with a radio, then you can get some results ...

Its worth going to at least 1 stage!! Have fun!

I went to the ToC this year to the Mill Creek Summit area. I'd recommend a hill climb if you can't be near a finish area or on a circuit with multiple passes. I didn't go to a start or finsh so can't comment on that.
Even though I was at the peak of the climb - those guys go by fast!

I hope to follow if more extensively in the future; though I'm not in favor of the ToC date change.

I went to the start of a ToC stage this year in San Jose. It was cold and raining, I lined up like everyone else for about an hour, watched the start and then went home. I didn't think it was all that interesting, but I had a pretty good idea of that going in.

I like the idea of watching a hill climb somewhere on the ascent or maybe attending a TT day.

Don't be like this idiot with his big flag taking up literally half of the right-side of the road. You can see from the pic that the riders are having to go from the right side of the road, over to the middle just to get around this jackass. People like this are disruptive to the racing. Running alongside the racers has its history, but this idiot just wants focus on himself not the racers.

I saw parts of the TOM last year. My wife went with me and we stayed in motels. This year I am going by myself. I would like to camp on the side of the road in my station wagon for at least some of the stages. It looks like that happens in the TDF. But, since I have never seen the TOM in broadcast form, I am not sure if that is allowed or how practical it would be. I would like to hear from someone who has first hand information about this.

The Kansas City stage is a circuit that has several spots where it loops back around so you could catch them multiple times a lap. ToM is great, I've been both years and it's cool. They'll usually have a convention type thing set up near the start/finish area. It's fun.

Some general advice.

If reasonable take your bike. Good chance it will give you a cahnce to get to places closed to cars yet still open to bikes.

Bigger is plan, the more you know the better you can adjust. But don't let yuor plans get you locked in. When the olympics came to Los Angeles I had a coupleof things happen by luck. "Bad" seats turned out to be in a section where all but 2 rows were reserved for Olympic competitors (And made the usher triple check the tickets). I thought I had tickets to the semifinal that the U.S. would be in for Basketball. Turned out there was a screwup (not mine) and what I got was tickets for the other semi. The seats turned out to be right behind (as in Right behind, 1 foot behind) the Yougoslavian bench for the other semi. When things don't work out as expected take what yopu find and make the best of it. Good chance it will work out just as good or better in some respects.

Is camping allowed along the TOM route?

Try it at least once. I went to the TT in it's first year and had a great time hanging out in the team areas instead of being out on the course. Who knows, you'll never know who you'll bump into - or who will bump into you!