Going to watch Le Tour, any tips?

Paul_iow
Paul_iow Posts: 110
edited June 2011 in Road beginners
Im planning to go and watch the first 2 stages of Le Tour and wondered if anyone who has been before has any tips on where to position myself for a good view. Im thinking of near the finish line for the 1st stage but where would be good for the 2nd as its a Team Time Trial?

How close can you get to the start ramp or finish for the time trials? Do you have to camp out for a decent spot?

Comments

  • lochindaal
    lochindaal Posts: 475
    Paul I haven't looked at these stages but presume them to be flat.

    1) Go to a small village to get some atmosphere. Check what time the road closes to make sure you can get in but once there you can relax. have a picnic or get a coffee depending on time off day.

    It is so well organised people don't start to crowd the road until 1/2 an hour before the caravan is coming (at this point beware for timid French women who in 30 minutes will be pushing you out the way for a key ring!!).

    If you can, try and find a place where there is a sharp corner or narrowing of the road. On a pure long flat section the riders will be passed before you can hardly get one photo taken. At a corner they will at least have to slow down.

    It's a great day out. Our young kids want to go every year
    Tri Coaching
    https://www.h3otriathlon.com
  • leyburnrunner
    leyburnrunner Posts: 25
    years back i watched a finish in strasbourg. to be honest it was a waste of time. 10 deep to the barriers and unable to see anything. i'd avoid a finish and get to some village en route.
  • Pep
    Pep Posts: 501
    Many years ago I watched the Milano-Sanremo, at The Poggio, the steepest point so riders were less fast and we could see more.

    The atmosphere was great. Truly fantastic. Superb.

    But cycling? We saw 10sec in total, could understand nothing, and the whole thing including travel took 48hr :(
  • Paul_iow
    Paul_iow Posts: 110
    Thanks everyone. The 1st stage is pretty flat so will find a quiet village somewhere or even the only hill where they will be going slightly slower. We went to the ToB last year and watched it on a hill, was a great 30-60 minutes with all the build up and probably better than watching it on the flat.

    The 2nd stage is the team time trial, would it be possible to get near the start ramp to watch them all go off or would I be better to find a corner and watch from there? As it is a short loop around the town/city? is it all going to be closed off to cars?

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