Chris and Zak tackle the Tour: learn the route, begin an itinerary
Do you remember Chris and Zak, they are the couple from Colorado who are planning a cycling trip to the 2012 Tour de France (Two Americans go to the Tour de France). We meet up with Chris and Zak again as they begin planning their trip to France, taking it step by step to build their dream trip. The first steps in any travel adventure is to look at a map, decide what you want to see within your route, ask a lot of questions, and begin to make some initial plans.
Part I - 5 Steps to planning a trip to the Tour de France
- Learn the route
- Buy maps and guides
- Build a plan
- Top 3 wishes
- Seek advice and learn
1. Learn the Route
To learn the route of the 2012 Tour de France, Chris and Zak go straight to the source - the official Tour de France website (www.letour.com). The route for 2012 was announced in mid October.
Pedal Dancer Tip: I would recommend planning to see a variety of stage experiences: start, finish, mountain pass, mountain top finish, time trial, feed zone. Each experience is unique. I especially like stage starts because there is hours of fun, the same is true for time trials. Feed zones are actually quite fun and you can gather bottles and chat with team staff waiting to hand up feed bags. When seeing a stage finish, select a town which is fun to visit before and after the fast finish, where you can enjoy a meal or spend some tourist time. Mountain top finishes are thrilling all-day events for fans, they can involve up to 11 hour days for cyclists riding 60-100km to and from the Col, definitely plan a rest day the day after. Pedal Dancer Tip: Within a 2 week trip to the Tour de France, you will be more than happy if you see 4-8 stages of the Tour de France. Even the best Cycling Tour Companies select the best stages for their guests and do not chase the Tour every day. In 2003 I cycled 16 days over parts of the Tour, it was a bit much. This year the Tour de France travels along the Rhone River Valley - I say it is time to take in some vineyards! Pedal Dancer Tip: Once you consider the stages and your travel dates, a picture should emerge indicating where you should fly in and out of France, you are not limited to Paris. I much prefer flying in and out of the smaller airports in France. Also consider using the TGV (high speed trains) to transfer between larger cities. At this point your focus should be deciding what you want to do, making it happen will be covered in future steps.
Learn the Climbs:
To learn the climbs of the Tour de France Chris and Zak visit Climb by Bike - a fantastic resource for climb descriptions and profiles of all the climbs in France. Climb by Bike happens to have a summary page for all the climbs in the 2012 Tour de France. For an excellent climbing resource for climbs in the French Alps visit Grenoble Cycling Pages. For an excellent map of most of the major climbs in the Midi-Pyrenees view VeloPeloton map of Cols in the Pyrenees. Look for future reviews due to come in the next 4 months by CyclingNews, VeloNews, Cycle Sport and other publications.
Pedal Dancer Tip: There are certain climbs that all of us have heard about in conjunction with the Tour de France, maybe you have a few on your bucket list. If you can say "oh I've always wanted to do that climb," and it is not in the Tour de France this year, leave a day to make sure you get to achieve your dream, the climb may be in the Tour next year and you will be able to recall I was there! I think it is more important to make these side trips than trying to see every stage of the Tour de France.
Here is a brief list of the locations of the key climbs often featured in the Tour de France: French Alps: Alpe d’Huez, Col de l‘Aravis, Col du Chaussy, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Glandon, Col de la Madeleine, Col de l'Iseren, Col du Columbiere, Col de Fer, Col de Joux Plane, Col du Galibier, Col de l’Izoard, Col de Lauteret, Col de Telegraphe, Lancets, Cormet de Roseland, Vercours. Near Provence: Mont Ventoux. French Pyrenees: Col d’Aspin, Col d’Aubisque, Col de la Marie Blanc, Col de Peyresourde, Col du Soulor, Col de Tamie, Col du Tourmalet, Hautacam, Luz Ardiden, Cautarets, Col d’Agnes, Col de Boderas, Col de la Core, Col d'Ichere, Superbagneres, Col de Menthe, Port de Bales, Col de Latrape, Col de Port, Col de’Portet d Aspet, Col d’Portillon, Col de Soudet, Col de Tramassel, Hourquette d’Ancizan, Lac d'Estaing, Pla d’Adet. Tour de France: Ten most famous, infamous mountains
2. Buy maps or guides
Next Chris and Zak visit an online bookstore like Amazon.com (USA), or Drive Alive (UK), or many bookstores in France to purchase Michelin road maps to help in the planning process. They will need several maps for the 2012 Grande Boucle. You may also use the online site at: http://www.viamichelin.com/
Pedal Dancer Tip: I buy one large map of France for planning only. I highlight each stage start and finish. On this large map I begin to mark TdF stages and other rides I would like to complete while in France. I can then see optimal cities to search for accommodations near or in between the stages. Pedal Dancer Tip: I buy a spiral bound France Atlas and cut out the pages where I will be cycling, leaving the large book at home. I carry these pages with me in my jersey pocket while riding, just in case my GPS device does not locate my position while in the mountains, the altas page will show every intersection, even for small roads. Pedal Dancer Tip: I do use my iphone apps like crazy in France, to locate wi-fi, GPS, etc, only watch the data charges! Pedal Dancer Tip: I still like real maps to see large scale - I decide which Local (yellow) Michelin maps to buy based on the stages I will be attending and where I need to see the roads in great detail. I don't ride with these maps, I use them for planning, but I do bring them to France with me.
Paper maps: These are the corresponding LOCAL (highly detailed) Michelin road maps of France for the 2012 Tour de France (for cycling you will need this level of detail):
Stage/Date/ Cities/Km/Michelin Map numbers
3. Build a plan
To learn the route of the 2012 Tour de France, Chris and Zak go straight to the source - the official Tour de France website (www.letour.com). The route for 2012 was announced in mid October.
Pedal Dancer Tip: I would recommend planning to see a variety of stage experiences: start, finish, mountain pass, mountain top finish, time trial, feed zone. Each experience is unique. I especially like stage starts because there is hours of fun, the same is true for time trials. Feed zones are actually quite fun and you can gather bottles and chat with team staff waiting to hand up feed bags. When seeing a stage finish, select a town which is fun to visit before and after the fast finish, where you can enjoy a meal or spend some tourist time. Mountain top finishes are thrilling all-day events for fans, they can involve up to 11 hour days for cyclists riding 60-100km to and from the Col, definitely plan a rest day the day after. Pedal Dancer Tip: Within a 2 week trip to the Tour de France, you will be more than happy if you see 4-8 stages of the Tour de France. Even the best Cycling Tour Companies select the best stages for their guests and do not chase the Tour every day. In 2003 I cycled 16 days over parts of the Tour, it was a bit much. This year the Tour de France travels along the Rhone River Valley - I say it is time to take in some vineyards! Pedal Dancer Tip: Once you consider the stages and your travel dates, a picture should emerge indicating where you should fly in and out of France, you are not limited to Paris. I much prefer flying in and out of the smaller airports in France. Also consider using the TGV (high speed trains) to transfer between larger cities. At this point your focus should be deciding what you want to do, making it happen will be covered in future steps.
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| 2012 Tour de France route map |
To learn the climbs of the Tour de France Chris and Zak visit Climb by Bike - a fantastic resource for climb descriptions and profiles of all the climbs in France. Climb by Bike happens to have a summary page for all the climbs in the 2012 Tour de France. For an excellent climbing resource for climbs in the French Alps visit Grenoble Cycling Pages. For an excellent map of most of the major climbs in the Midi-Pyrenees view VeloPeloton map of Cols in the Pyrenees. Look for future reviews due to come in the next 4 months by CyclingNews, VeloNews, Cycle Sport and other publications.
 |
| Every one of these climbs is worth climbing! |
2. Buy maps or guides
Next Chris and Zak visit an online bookstore like Amazon.com (USA), or Drive Alive (UK), or many bookstores in France to purchase Michelin road maps to help in the planning process. They will need several maps for the 2012 Grande Boucle. You may also use the online site at: http://www.viamichelin.com/
Pedal Dancer Tip: I buy one large map of France for planning only. I highlight each stage start and finish. On this large map I begin to mark TdF stages and other rides I would like to complete while in France. I can then see optimal cities to search for accommodations near or in between the stages. Pedal Dancer Tip: I buy a spiral bound France Atlas and cut out the pages where I will be cycling, leaving the large book at home. I carry these pages with me in my jersey pocket while riding, just in case my GPS device does not locate my position while in the mountains, the altas page will show every intersection, even for small roads. Pedal Dancer Tip: I do use my iphone apps like crazy in France, to locate wi-fi, GPS, etc, only watch the data charges! Pedal Dancer Tip: I still like real maps to see large scale - I decide which Local (yellow) Michelin maps to buy based on the stages I will be attending and where I need to see the roads in great detail. I don't ride with these maps, I use them for planning, but I do bring them to France with me.
Paper maps: These are the corresponding LOCAL (highly detailed) Michelin road maps of France for the 2012 Tour de France (for cycling you will need this level of detail):
Stage/Date/ Cities/Km/Michelin Map numbers
P Prologue Sat 30 June Liège > Liège 6.1 km, Michelin Map #213 in Belgium
1 Road stage Sun 1 July Liège > Seraing 198 km, Michelin Map #213 in Belgium
2 Road stage Mon 2 July Visé > Tournai 207 km, Michelin Map #302
3 Road stage Tues 3 July Orchies > Boulogne-sur-Mer 197 km, Michelin Map #302, #301
4 Road stage Weds 4 July Abbeville > Rouen 214 km, Michelin Map #304
5 Road stage Thurs 5 July Rouen > Saint-Quentin 197 km, Michelin Map #304, #305, #306
6 Road stage Fri 6 July Épernay > Metz 210 km, Michelin Map #306, 307
7 Road stage Sat 7 July Tomblaine > La Planche des Belles Filles 199 km, Michelin Map #307, 314
8 Road stage Sun 8 July Belfort > Porrentruy 154 km, Michelin Map #315, #321 and into Switzerland
9 Time trial Mon 9 July Arc-et-Senans > Besançon 38 km, Michelin Map #321
10 Road stage Weds 11 July Mâcon > Bellegarde-sur-Valserine 194 km, Michelin Map #320, #333, #328
11 Mountains Thurs 12 July Albertville > La Toussuire - Les Sybelles 140 km, Michelin Map #333
12 Mountains Fri 13 July Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Annonay 220 km, Michelin Map #333, #332
13 Road stage Sat 14 July Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Le Cap d’Agde 215 km, Michelin Map #332, #339
14 Road stage Sun 15 July Limoux > Foix 192 km, Michelin Map #344, #343
15 Road stage Mon 16 July Samatan > Pau 160 km, Michelin Map #336, #342
16 Mountains Weds 18 July Pau > Bagnères-de-Luchon 197 km, Michelin Map #342
17 Mountains Thurs 19 July Bagnères-de-Luchon > Peyragudes 144 km, Michelin Map #342
18 Road stage Fri 20 July Blagnac > Brive-la-Gaillarde 215 km, Michelin Map #343, #337
19 Time trial Sat 21 July Bonneval > Chartres 52 km, Michelin Map #311
20 Road stage Sun 22 July Rambouillet > Paris Champs-Élysées 130 km, Michelin Map (Paris)
GPS systems: Pedal Dancer Tip: Yes the extra cost for a GPS navigation system in your rental car is worth every penny. If you have a co-pilot you can use a Garmin, iphone, or any GPS hand held unit, but if you are alone, or with a map-challenged friend, use a car GPS system, they are invaluable. I really like that they warn me before I approach an automatic speed ticket camera. I also like that I can program them to speak to me in English (with an Aussie or Irish accent) or in French so I can space-out and enjoy the countryside until the next direction is audibly given. Hand-held or bike mounted GPS systems are excellent while cycling.
Guidebooks also offer helpful information: Michelin Green Guides to France Pedal Dancer Tip: they are heavy, so cut out the pages you need rather than bringing the entire book. You can now buy some guidebooks for your iPad or as an app for your phone.
Know the regions of France: Understanding the regions and departments of France is very important. Read more about traveling in France on the Pedal Dancer France Travel Page. click map to enlarge
1 Road stage Sun 1 July Liège > Seraing 198 km, Michelin Map #213 in Belgium
2 Road stage Mon 2 July Visé > Tournai 207 km, Michelin Map #302
3 Road stage Tues 3 July Orchies > Boulogne-sur-Mer 197 km, Michelin Map #302, #301
4 Road stage Weds 4 July Abbeville > Rouen 214 km, Michelin Map #304
5 Road stage Thurs 5 July Rouen > Saint-Quentin 197 km, Michelin Map #304, #305, #306
6 Road stage Fri 6 July Épernay > Metz 210 km, Michelin Map #306, 307
7 Road stage Sat 7 July Tomblaine > La Planche des Belles Filles 199 km, Michelin Map #307, 314
8 Road stage Sun 8 July Belfort > Porrentruy 154 km, Michelin Map #315, #321 and into Switzerland
9 Time trial Mon 9 July Arc-et-Senans > Besançon 38 km, Michelin Map #321
10 Road stage Weds 11 July Mâcon > Bellegarde-sur-Valserine 194 km, Michelin Map #320, #333, #328
11 Mountains Thurs 12 July Albertville > La Toussuire - Les Sybelles 140 km, Michelin Map #333
12 Mountains Fri 13 July Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Annonay 220 km, Michelin Map #333, #332
13 Road stage Sat 14 July Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Le Cap d’Agde 215 km, Michelin Map #332, #339
14 Road stage Sun 15 July Limoux > Foix 192 km, Michelin Map #344, #343
15 Road stage Mon 16 July Samatan > Pau 160 km, Michelin Map #336, #342
16 Mountains Weds 18 July Pau > Bagnères-de-Luchon 197 km, Michelin Map #342
17 Mountains Thurs 19 July Bagnères-de-Luchon > Peyragudes 144 km, Michelin Map #342
18 Road stage Fri 20 July Blagnac > Brive-la-Gaillarde 215 km, Michelin Map #343, #337
19 Time trial Sat 21 July Bonneval > Chartres 52 km, Michelin Map #311
20 Road stage Sun 22 July Rambouillet > Paris Champs-Élysées 130 km, Michelin Map (Paris)
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| Local Michelin map number guide click map to enlarge |
GPS systems: Pedal Dancer Tip: Yes the extra cost for a GPS navigation system in your rental car is worth every penny. If you have a co-pilot you can use a Garmin, iphone, or any GPS hand held unit, but if you are alone, or with a map-challenged friend, use a car GPS system, they are invaluable. I really like that they warn me before I approach an automatic speed ticket camera. I also like that I can program them to speak to me in English (with an Aussie or Irish accent) or in French so I can space-out and enjoy the countryside until the next direction is audibly given. Hand-held or bike mounted GPS systems are excellent while cycling.
Using any software you prefer, or a piece of paper, Chris and Zak write out the dates of the 2012 Tour de France. They include the stage number, date, start and finish cities. Add a column for 3 activities a day, drive time, hotel, and overnight city. Add hotel information as they are confirmed, add airline or train information and any other links or contacts you want to have during your travels. You are building your final itinerary. click image to enlarge
Pedal Dancer Tip: When in France - keep it simple. Our motto is three things a day. That might include a stage start, drive to a new city to check into your hotel, plus a dinner out in town. Or an early morning market, ride, picnic. Whatever you do in your day, try to limit it to 3 major activities per day, you will experience the real France in the spaces in between. Pedal Dancer Tip: I also schedule an open/rest day about every 4 days. This allows for weather (that may keep you off a much desired climb), enjoying local culture, and true rest after several long days riding and chasing the Tour de France. Pedal Dancer Tip: build this plan so that it basically becomes your itinerary, one that you can leave at home for family to follow your adventure and use for contact if need be.
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| sample itinerary worksheet |
4. Top 3 wishes
Pedal Dancer Tip: Be clear and realistic about your expectations. With their new maps laid out in front of them, Chris and Zak discuss their top wishes they would like to do while in France. They begin by writing these down onto their plan, plotting them into the time schedule of the Tour de France. If they each achieve their top three wishes, their trip is a success, anything else is icing on the cake. Of course the unexpected, always makes for the best memories anyway. You do not need to plan everything.
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| dreaming of cycling © Photo by PedalDancer.com |
5. Seek advice and learn
Next Chris and Zak sought out resources, people they could ask for advice. I was one of them. Tom and Courtenay from Colorado were another resource, so was Mike from Arizona, and Sue and Scott from Colorado - all cyclists who had traveled to France in previous years. Reading blogs from other travelers is also a helpful resource, or PezCycling travel articles. Also visit Mr. Patterson Goes to Languedoc written by an avid cyclist who lives and rides in France. Read Paddy's VeloPeloton Blog all year long, he writes and photographs about his life living in the foothills of the Pyrenees.
Pedal Dancer Tip: I like to read and learn from the itineraries and tips on the Cycling Tour Company websites. They bring clients to the Tour de France year after year and really understand the flow of how much can be covered within a typical 9-17 day vacation. Read more about traveling in France on the Pedal Dancer France Cycling Page.
Below is my video of Lance Armstrong on Alpe d'Huez in 2003 (that is me screaming for him, I sound like I am age 8). hit the > button
Pedal Dancer Tip: I like to read and learn from the itineraries and tips on the Cycling Tour Company websites. They bring clients to the Tour de France year after year and really understand the flow of how much can be covered within a typical 9-17 day vacation. Read more about traveling in France on the Pedal Dancer France Cycling Page.
Below is my video of Lance Armstrong on Alpe d'Huez in 2003 (that is me screaming for him, I sound like I am age 8). hit the > button
The Tour de France is Fun!
Planning is a framework, a probability, not an expectation of exactness. Every person has at least one off-day while traveling, every trip has a number of unexpected occurrences, allow for this. These sometimes make the best stories and memories.
Quote of the Day: "The only aspect of our travels that is interesting to others is disaster." - Martha Gellman
Planning is a framework, a probability, not an expectation of exactness. Every person has at least one off-day while traveling, every trip has a number of unexpected occurrences, allow for this. These sometimes make the best stories and memories.
Quote of the Day: "The only aspect of our travels that is interesting to others is disaster." - Martha Gellman
I also admit that people are usually far more interested when I am going somewhere then when I have been somewhere. Anyone who loves travels, such as myself, knows that the planning, anticipation, and excitement is as fulfilling as the actual trip. Enjoy the planning!
Previous installments in the Chris and Zak series
Two Americans go to the Tour de FranceFuture topics in the Chris and Zak Tackle l'Tour series:
Arranging Accommodations in France for the Tour de France. Renting and driving a rental car in France. Estimating your travel costs to France. Packing for a cycling trip to Europe. Training for the Tour de France. Food and restaurants in France. Tips on traveling around France. Tips on being at the Tour de France. Understanding the race that is the Tour de France. Leaving home in not too much of a panic. And any other topics that happen to arise during their adventure. 
