Professional Cycling For the Fans - 2005 TDF Vacation

This summer my college friend and I are going on a Trip to watch the last stages of the Tour and visit some of France. I am sure some people from this thread have been and the rest would love to go, but i'm looking for some advice. I need advice of all kinds. Including- should I take the train and walk everywhere, or rent a car?...

thanks

bring your bike, problem solved

It would be a long bike ride from Paris to Pau Where I plan on begginning following the tour.

Rent a car. You could take the train everywhere, but then you'll have the issue of always needing to be near a train station, and also the issue of having to haul your luggage everywhere. Renting a car simply gives you more flexibility.

I did the 1992 Tour in a rented car and a foldable bike and it was great.

My son and I did the last two stages this year: first, at the team trial at Besancon and then the next day at Paris-Champs-Elysee. The crowds are so big you better get to the stage you're going to about 4-6 hours early to get a good vantage point, and that's only on the flat stages. At Besancon we didn't and could see very little, though there's always a big screen at the finish. Learn as much French as you can, the people will respect any effort you make to speak their language, no matter how bad it comes out. The food and wine you order in French will be awesome, no matter where you go. On the mountain stages you'd be better off going into a nearby town on the route days in advance or camp on the mountains-ONE BIG PARTY. Bike rental is a viable option too, but make arrangements in advance if you can. I biked with great success in Paris (pretty tricky) and in Burgundy and Lyon. Do NOT let any of this discourage you. It will be a major experience in your lifetime. I still get chills up my spine remebering the Peloton and Postal and Lance flying by me (eight times)on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris on a crystal clear summer day. I could go on for hours.......Good Luck!!!!

Learn some French. If you want, I can post about 10 very useful phrases to learn--the minimum that you should learn. But you have time to learn more. Just let me know if you want me to post them.

If you want to rent a car, I suggest that you take the train from Paris and rent a car at the train station in Pau. Just remember that driving and parking anywhere the Tour will be is tough. If you can manage just by train and bike, you will save yourself some headaches. It all depends on your touring setup and tolerance for packing light.

Felicitations! It will be a great trip no matter how you get around.

We did a Rail N Drive pass to get 4 days unlimited train travel (the 200 mph TGV is incredible) and 2 days unlimited car rental. See www.raileurope.com. Tres Bien!!!
Currently listed for around $220 for France single country pass, I think.

Yes i've been looking at the rail and drive pass... It seems to be a pretty viable option for me and my friend. Problem I'm in college, 20 years old. I'm not sure what the age requirements for renting a car in France are. Probally should just call and try to reserve one. I have arranged to stay in Hostiles in all but 1 town the tour goes through, so I guess the sleeping bag and a tarp will work well enough for that stage. This is the best time of my life for doing trips like this, so i'm planning the trip out as well as i can... Think Chevy Chase- any of his vacation movies...- Any advice... any days or stages to not watch... whatever.. keep it coming please...

I want to do the same thing. I am going to go to England to stay and take the train with my bike a stay a couple of weeks in France to see the race. I hope this works out. Keep us posted in what you decide to do.

S/F,
CEYA!

Gotta be 25 to rent a car last time I checked. Get one of those sheet sacks for the hostels--they are usually required. I know Campmor has them (www.campmor.com). Or you can just fold over a regular flat sheet and sew the end and side to make a sack to sleep in. You'll be glad you did.

I did what you are doing when I was 15, except we weren't there for the Tour. I met interesting people in the hostels, rode my fully-loaded touring bike (Univega Gran Turismo with *cantilever brakes*wow* for those who are curious) from village to village, and ate fabulous food.

Pack light, do the train and bike, and have a blast! And learn some French!!

Sure, if you are not a group ; learn french, most french people doesn't know a word english.
But i know there are a lot of guided trips in TDF. It depends how much you want to spent. Camping, hotel ....
If we can help you, let us know ...
(Lance is not riding TDF next year but Tour of Flanders)

Chris
www.flanderscycling.com

If you do a group don't get one that takes in a lot of stages. I am told that you spend too much time traveling,packing, eating etc. I did one where we stayed in LaMongie and rode the hills. We caught the finish and the next days start. My friends who were with other groups arrived at LaMongie worn out, and tired. While they were packing and traveling in a bus at late hours I was napping,massaging,eating and getting to meet some really cool people in a relaxed manner. Everyone whom i've met who followed too many stages wished they had a more relaxed experience. The tour is now a HUGE event with all the problems associated...very very crowded...don't forget to experience some of France and the people

Definitely rent a car. My advice would be to aim to visit every other stage unless you like driving at night or like a lack of sleep. Team time trials are best then time trials and Mountain stages. Flat stages go past you within a minute after waiting for at least 2 hours (depending on when they close the road). Take a tent and get to the best spots early i.e. the day before.

Alternatively you could join Trek Tours, who arrange you to ride your bike up the Cols then cordon-off areas at the best places with tape, tell locals and other fans to not come onto their (allegedly paid for) bit of road/pavement. Then the tour leaders hand out cans of spray paint to write lance or usa across the road. That said it was good to see so many annoyed french people...

That's a good reason to visit a foreign country--piss off the people who live there and make a bad name for the rest of us! Not to mention that you lose out on experiencing a different culture (but some folks just aren't so inclined).

If you are going to go to a foreign country, remember that you are a GUEST, and behave as your mother (should have) taught you to. Otherwise, stay at home and watch OLN on your big-screen TV.

That's a good reason to visit a foreign country--piss off the people who live there and make a bad name for the rest of us! Not to mention that you lose out on experiencing a different culture (but some folks just aren't so inclined).

If you are going to go to a foreign country, remember that you are a GUEST, and behave as your mother (should have) taught you to. Otherwise, stay at home and watch OLN on your big-screen TV.

-------------------

Before you make assumptions I'm English, not American, and have travelled all over the world experiencing different cultures, thank you very much. Your vitriol (look it up) should be reserved for the corporate dollar chasing companies that have latched onto the tour in the last 6 years say. I was of course joking, and I was fully behind my European neighbours when they invaded the said compound much to the anger of the tour company in question. P.S. How did you know I had a Big TV? Take it easy... ;)

Ah, ca s'explique! Un anglais! Desolee, mon ami.

Salo!

Salo? Salaud? Salope? So Long!

Salo? Salaud? Salope? So Long!

It's actually french for.........you wouldn't want to know....

Corsaire ;)

Sure, if you are not a group ; learn french, most french people doesn't know a word english.
But i know there are a lot of guided trips in TDF. It depends how much you want to spent. Camping, hotel ....
If we can help you, let us know ...
(Lance is not riding TDF next year but Tour of Flanders)

Chris
www.flanderscycling.com


Chris,

Thanks for the website. It seems I will or may go to the Flanders and Paris Roubaix.

S/F,
CEYA!