Question fer Scott (Tour de France)

woodstock

woodstock

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Hey Scott

Since you are the God of all things Cycling...

Next summer I want to see the final stages of the Tour de France. I found a B&B that would make viewing the Sault area (second to last day) pretty easy and it's before Mont Ventoux which is sure to be jammed.

It's roughly km 109 of that day... the end-end is km 167 or so which means it's more than the halfway point.

Any idea what time the leaders and the peloton would likely come through? Utterly no basis for reference as to what time they start, what time they finish...

I want to see all that go through and then dump and run to Avignon to get the TGV to Paris to see the FINALE the next day...

Thanks!
 
They start around noon local time and a typical ride is 4-5 hours long. Mountain stages are sometimes shorter as this one is because the climb is so arduous so they may start later. I have never gotten to see a stage in person, but I understand they use a rolling roadblock but the best places will have been staked out days before by roadside campers and it will be difficult to travel on the day of the race.

I take it you are looking at watching the stage 20, which from Montélimar to Mont Ventoux??

Watching a the peak of the Sault should be a good spot, riders will have been broken up by the several climbs and are getting ready for the big climb up the Col de Notre Dame and Mt. Ventoux!

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http://www.montelimar.fr/vdm/accueil.php

That is going to be a busy stage! That is where the race will basically end. The next day is Paris and the green jersey will be decided upon there.

The good thing is the stage finishes on top of the mountain so going to a town to catch the TGV should be a lot easier than if the stage finished in the town.
 
ooooh, thanks Scott. Yeah, I will plan to see the Sault part and then scoot. Is the last day also a noon start time?

I am wondering if it would be smarter to just stay in Avignon Saturday night, catch the 8AM TGV to Paris and be there by 11 AM and then see the end stage in Paris maybe around 3 PM or so, assuming a late start that day as well. Might be less of a madhouse than trying to absolutely make the last train out to Paris on Saturday night. Plus we could have a leisurely meal and stroll in Avignon, too.
 
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woodstock said:
ooooh, thanks Scott. Yeah, I will plan to see the Sault part and then scoot. Is the last day also a noon start time?

I am wondering if it would be smarter to just stay in Avignon Saturday night, catch the 8AM TGV to Paris and be there by 11 AM and then see the end stage in Paris maybe around 3 PM or so, assuming a late start that day as well. Might be less of a madhouse than trying to absolutely make the last train out to Paris on Saturday night. Plus we could have a leisurely meal and stroll in Avignon, too.
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Good luuck Scooting -- the single road down Ventoux will be clogged for hours....
 
dmccormack said:
Good luuck Scooting -- the single road down Ventoux will be clogged for hours....
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I've ridden Ventoux and watched the tour from there. There is a side rode which hits the main route about 6 km or so from the top. If you want the "full" tour experience, camp up there a day or two before the stage comes through. Huge international party. At any rate, getting off the mountain by car would take forever, if you ride up the side road, its a lot faster off, but a little dicey weaving around cars!

P.S. My time up Ventoux = 1:45. Lance's time that year :45.
 
Thanks guys.

I'm not going to view Mont Ventoux - way too crazy. We'll do Sault, which is about 60 km before it (same day) and a little more flat.. and then skedaddle after they all pass. I'm hoping that is a good strategy.
 
woodstock said:
Thanks guys.

I'm not going to view Mont Ventoux - way too crazy. We'll do Sault, which is about 60 km before it (same day) and a little more flat.. and then skedaddle after they all pass. I'm hoping that is a good strategy.
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Yeh, being at Sault should make it easier to get to the TGV. Make sure you have your reservations in advance. My guess is a lot of people will be making the trip backt o PAris for the finish.
 
wabower said:
Did you make it up on the flats?
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Ha! Well, my "peleton" consisted of about 9 guys. And prior to the climb we were definitely taking it easy. It was an amazing climb. Any other climb like that I've done in California has some flat spots. This one just didn't let up.

I did have a moment of "glory", though, about a third of the way up. This was the day before the stage and folks were already camped out. About 4 german guys started running next to me offering a rather large, dark beer. I took them up on their offer, and got quite the cheer in return. It was a lot of fun!
 
That sounds like a lot of fun - letting the Tour draft you (because you know the mountains will have campers!)
 
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