Ride le Tour

sbaywatch

Hi there,

I'm new to thisforum and hope you can help with the following.

Next year I'm planning to complete a Tour de France route. Not sure what year yet but basically same route as pros, distance, number of days etc etc aka Geoff Thomas.

I'm basically trying to find out any companies that offer support in the shape of back-up cars / bag transfers etc. I've seen Destination cycling which costs an eye-watering 30k us$. However Sporting tours seems closer to the mark at circa 5k.

Anyone have experiences in this area they could pass on.?

From a cycling background perspective, I've completed LEJOG and a number of sportiffs as well as a few ironman (& double ironman) races so at least have a base to start the training just need to decide whether I try self supported .. or not..

thanks
Simon

shawman

Just do it self supported. Even the 5k is eye watering. It would only cost about €2500 I think. You could even camp and it would be less. Get a van a tent and some blowup mattress and a mate with nothing to do for a few weeks to drive the van. With the recession and rising unemployment I'm sure you can fine someone with time on their hands. Have you read "French revolutions" by Tom Moore, you can even cheat if you want.

bahzob

Did the 2006 tour route, starting Strasbourg and looping back to catch real start. When looking into it thought I would need help of company but in practice it turned out easier and cheaper to do it self supported.

Used a Roubaix with Nelson saddlebag + handlebar bag, travelling light so could do big miles per day (and make climbs easier). Mostly used logis, booking up on the day to keep things flexible.

As this was first real cycing experience I started with intention of doing 80-120km per day and splitting stages. However once got legs was able to comfortably do 1 stage per day, even in the mountains and if doing again this would be my plan from the off.

Biggest issues were associated with trying to do route of tour in advance as you only get details start June and roads it uses tend to get a bit of TLC in the form of roadworks which led to the only serious problem I had (a crash on Tourmalet descent on newly gravelled road). Otherwise went fine.

Happy to offer any more advice if needed.

sbaywatch

thanks for the replies. I have thought about self supported or trying to persuade a mate to help out however I may struggle to do that so an organised trip works better for me.

After extensive googling, looks like there are only 2 companies with Sportingtours the fav by a long way. Will be interesting to see how they get on in July of this year as its the 1st time they have run the entire tour

Roger_This

Have you read Tim Moore's book 'French Revolutions'? Very funny and you might pick up one or two tips.

sbaywatch

Yep I have, very funny.

Currently reading Paul Howards "Riding High" which is also a cracking read as well. Certainly wetting the appetite !!