欧州自転車レース追っかけ日記

Part 4 of Itinerary
Part III （The Pyrenees stages）

Rest Day 1 Tue 07/15/2025 Toulouse
11. Flat Wed 07/16/2025 Toulouse > Toulouse (154 km)
12. Mountain Thu 07/17/2025 Auch > Hautacam (181 km)
13. ITT Fri 07/18/2025 Loudenvielle > Peyragudes (11 km)
14. Mountain Sat 07/19/2025 Pau > Luchon-Superbagnères (183 km)
15. Hilly Sun 07/20/2025 Muret > Carcassonne (169 km)


I read (the Inner Ring site) that the teams are staying at the same hotels in Toulouse for 6 nights. The team bus drivers will be having busy days during the Pyrenees stages. Toulouse is a big city and the hotels may be scattered around the city. I may try to locate them if possible.

Since the hotel listing information has become restricted to those concerned (organizer, teams, and possibly the press), I have to ask someone in the know. I know some soigneurs and I will ask them to reveal the address of the hotels.

Tue. 15/07 - Rest Day 1
Wed. 16/07 - Stage 11
Thu. 17/07 - Stage 12
Fri. 18/07 - Stage 13
Sat. 19/07 - Stage 14
Sun. 20/07 - Stage 15

Stage 11 "Skip"
Stop: Toulouse
Transfer: 200 km (Toulouse to Hautacam)
Accommodation: sleeping in the tent Hautacam

I am planning to reach Toulouse as early as possible

Hautacam will be closed somewhre near Argelès-Gazost. I want to beat the time limit.

Stage 12
Stop: Hautacam
Transfer: 160 km (Hautacam to Peyragudes via Bagnères-de-Luchon)
Accommodation: Peyragudes

Hautacam has only one road leading to the summit. I have been there once. I don't remember how it went. Let me explain.

All the publicity caravan vehicles go up and they can not come down till the race finishes. I don't remember how they came down. I think those caravan vehicles came down once the road cleared. All the people were barred from moving until all those vehicles and riders came down. This happened frequently before.

It did not happen on Plateau de Beille this year (2024). I think all the cars waited for some time and began the descent. We were free to come down immediately after the riders were gone.

I was there on my bike so I did not know what those those people with vehicles were told. Maybe they were given instructions not to move until certain hours.

In 2025 I'll be there with my car, not too close to the finish still I think that I won't be able to get down to Argel&egrve;s-Gazost and driver further to the destination.

By the time I arrive at Bagnères-de-Luchon, it will be late in the evening (21:00?). I hope the route from Bagnères-de-Luchon to Peyragudes is OPEN. There is no reason for closing the route but you never know. I hope also the route (D11&) from Col de Peyresourde to Peyragudes is OPEN. This way


Stage 13
Stop: Peyragudes
Transfer: 20 km (Peyragudes to Bagnères-de-Luchon)
Accommodation: Bagnères-de-Luchon

Altiport of Peyragudes (Peyresourde-Balatestas Airport) is known for its appearance in the 18th 007 movie, so the Wikipedia told me.

"Tomorrow Never Dis 1997" featuring Pierce Brosnan as James Bond is the 18th production of the 007 Franchise.

The ITT is a hill climb event and should be won by one of the climbers. I wonder whether the riders choose a typical heavy TT bike or a lightweight bike with some bars for the aerodynamic position.

Once I was there to watch an ITT where the earlier half was flat and the later half was a hill climb. Many (and all of those who intended to win or gain time on others) riders switched bikes (TT bike complete with a heavy rear dish wheel to lighter bike) at the foot of the climb. I remember Jens Voigt (who did not want to deprive the team of its precious resources by demanding the switch) came on the TT bike all the way without a team car following him but nonetheless upbeat as always. Where was I then? I vaguely remember it was a stage of the Tour de Suisse.

I think all the riders opt for a lightweight bike.

I hope the weather is good, not too sunny, no rain but thin layer of cloud to give spectators some shades.

(If I am already near Col de Peyresourde with my car) After the stage, I can stay here as I'm already on the course of the next stage.

I think I'll drive back to Bagnères-de-Luchon and stay there. I don't remember ever having been to Luchon Superbagnères. If I see the climb, maybe I remember.

Obviously I visited these ares back in 2018 according to the blog entries left by none　other　than me! back then I visited three Spanish towns at the foot of Col de Portillon (1,292 m). I remember now.
1. Les, 2. Bossòst, 3. Vielha.

I don't think I have ever been to uchon Superbagnères.


Stage 14
Stop: Luchon Supersagnères
Transfer: 199 km (no toll: Col du Pas du Sant)
Transfer: 230 km (toll: Col du Pas du Sant)
Accommodation: sleepig in the tent Col du Pas du Sant

I think I'm going to climb the climb. It is a long climb.

After the stage, I will drive to Col du Pas du Sant and try to find a comfortable camp site nearby (I see some around). The transfer is relatively long but this place is not too far from Toulouse.

It is Saturday. I have to shop for some food.

Stage 15
Stop: Col du Pas du Sant
Transfer: Transfer: 350 km (Col de Pas du Sant to Montpellier - Mont Ventoux)
Accommodation: camp site on the way to Montpellier (Mont Ventoux)


I'll drive to (the direction of) Béziers and then continue on the highway. This would be a wiser move, I think. I will check in some camp site on the way. There are a constellation of camp sites at Saint-Pons-De-Thomières (60 km from Col du Pas du Sant).

If I have the address of the hotels that I want to visit in Monpellier, I will push to reach Montpellier early in the morning taking brief breaks on the way. This way I have ample time in Montpellier to shop (nourishment) and visit the hotels.

I know that riders will go out on a cafe ride (relaxed training) around 11:00 or 11:30 and come back around 13:00 or so. On the way out, one may ask for autographs or photo ops and on the way in, one may ask for the bidons on the bike.

After this I will drive to Mont Ventoux. From Montpellier there is still 150 km to go. I need to take the toll way to make the time limit. I try to get to Bedoin around 14:00.

(to be continued...)
In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Tour de France 2025 and the itinerary 4]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2024/12/04(水) 22:00:25|
2. Tour de France
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Part 3 of Itinerary
Chapter 2. (Transition to the Pyrenees)

8. Flat Sat 07/12/2025 Saint-Méen-le-Grand > Laval Espace Mayenne (174 km)
9. Flat Sun 07/13/2025 Chinon > Châteauroux (170 km)
10. Mountain Mon 07/14/2025 Ennezat > Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy (163 km)

Sat. 12/07 - Stage 08
Sun. 13/07 - Stage 09
Mon. 14/07 - Stage 10

Stage 08
Stop: Nuillé-sur-Vicoin
Transfer: 570 km (to Col de la Croix Saint-Robert)
Accommodation: camp site on the way

Nuillé-sur-Vicoin is close to the stage finish. It means that by the time I leave for the next destination, it's past 17:30 or so. That limits the time before the possible check-in. The transfer is long. I need some prior planning to make the journey less stressful.


How it goes (camp site transactions).
(https://www.camping-lelude.com/emplacements)

A camp site at le Lude (30 km South of le Mans).

I will explain the transactions at a typical camp site using this (Camping Municipal au Bord du Loir) as an example of my accommodation selection method.

The scheduled transfer is 570 km long and it can be devided in two parts.

1. After stage to 19:00 (or 20:00) before a typical reception of a camp site closes.

2. After the checkout (above) to the destination.

As Nuillé-Sur-Vicoin is close to the finish, the peloton passes around 17:00. I will leave for a camp site on the way looking out for the "Camping" roadsign along the route. Usually I don't search them beforehand.

I won't be driving on the highway. I will drive on the normal road. This camp site is located about 90 km from Nuillé-Sur-Vicoin. By the time I get there, it should be 19:00 to 20:00.

Its site tells me that during Summer, the reception is open until 19:30 and 19:00 on Saturdays. It also tells me that it does not have a bar/restaurant facilities. It means that once the reception is closed, no one can let me in.

Sometimes, on the window of the reception I find a notice telling me to call a certain number after the office hours. Sometimes someone comes to the office or I am told the code to open the gate if there's one. The paperwork is done right away or the next morning.

If I make a reservation with the online contact form and tell them that I may be arriving a bit late, they may give me the code and instruct me to stay and come to the office for paperwork the next morning. Or they may wait for me.

The office opens afer 09:00. I would like to leave earlier but it is acceptable. If I can do the paperwork and payment in the previous evening, I can just leave as early as 07:00. Leaving (or making noise) before 07:00 is a no-no at all camp sites. This is how it goes.

This camp site's name include "Municipal" and it means that this site is run by the local commune (town, village or so). The office work is done by a person who is tasked on commission. In this case the office hours are usually limited to morning hours (check-out) and evening hours (check-in). I know this because I have been to these sites.

I found another camp site at Sonzay. I don't go into the details but this site has a bar/resturant. The office stays open between 08:30 to 21:00 nonstop. This is typical because no doubt that the the bar tender can be the owner of the property and double as the receptionist. This is typical for a family-owned camp site. This site charges 2 Euros for Wifi access.

I don't like (or try to avoid) camp sites with a swimming pool as they tend to be more expensive and I don't have time to take a dip. My camping style is strictly like a touch-and-go (I'm the last one to check in and the first one to check out).


After the stage, I will drive to Col de la Croix Saint-Robert but won't be able to reach before the date changes.

Saturday is a shopping day!
One important thing is to stock up this day as almost all the supermarkets will be closed on both Sunday, 13th and Monday, 14th. I have to stock up.


Le Mans 24H is on 11th to 15th of July 2025. When I drive by Le Mans, I will get as close as 5 or 6 km from the circuit.

Severa years ago, I drove past le Mans and I thought I heard very high-pitched exhaust sounds in the air during the TdF. I don't remember how close I was.


Stage 09 "Skip"
Stop: none
Transfer: 570 km (to Col de la Croix Saint-Robert)
Accommodation: Col de la Croix Saint-Robert?

I am considering skipping this stage because otherwise I won't be able to beat the time limit (of the road closure at the foot). I want to reach Col de la Croix Saint-Robert.

If I stay at one of the camp sites described above, the remaining route is around 480 km long using mostly the French highway (tollway). The highway can be busy with families but should be void of big trucks and trailers.

I will reach the destination by 14:00 or so.

It is Sunday, 13th of July. It is the eve of French National Holiday (one of the most important dates, French version of July 4.) of the year. They celebrate it by shooting up some fireworks in the evening. I don't know if people will still do some festivities on Col de la Croix Saint-Robert.


Stage 10
Stop: Col de la Croix Saint-Robert
Transfer: 350 km (to Toulouse)
Accommodation: camp site on the way

It is a French holiday. Col de la Croix Saint-Robert is the penultimate climb of the day. The battle will be fierce as they all know that the next day is the rest day. The riders are aware that they can ride until the gas goes empty this day. Or Tadej Pogacar is simply destroying all French rider's dream to win a stage on their very important day?

After the stage, I will calmly and slowly drive to Toulouse. The transfer is 350 km long.
(to be continued...)

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Tour de France 2025 and the itinerary 3]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2024/12/04(水) 21:57:16|
2. Tour de France
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Part 2 of itinerary
I am preparing the images for illustration. They are not there yet.

Tiny useful conversion equations (to know the date)
Stage 1 to 10: Date = Stage No. + 4
Stage 11 to 15: Date = Stage No. + 5
Stage 16 to 21: Date = Stage No. + 6

Examples:
Stage 21 is held on 27th of July (Alps stages and later)
Stage 12 is held on 16th of July (Pyrenees stages)
Stage 9 is held on 13th of July
vice versa,
July 14th (French National Holiday) sees stage 10

On which day do they finish on top of Mont Ventoux (stage 16)? It's 22nd of July.
On which day do they finish on top of Hautacam (stage 12)? It's 17th of July.

Chapter 1.（Grand Départ, Normandie and Bretagne）
Stage - Type ------ Date --- Start and Finish (Distance)

1. Flat Sat 07/05/2025 Lille Métropole > Lille Métropole (185 km)
2. Hilly Sun 07/06/2025 Lauwin-Planque > Boulogne-sur-Mer (212 km)
3. Flat Mon 07/07/2025 Valenciennes > Dunkerque (178 km)
4. Hilly Tue 07/08/2025 Amiens Métropole > Rouen (173 km)
5. ITT Wed 07/09/2025 Caen > Caen (33 km)
6. Hilly Thu 07/10/2025 Bayeux > Vire Normandie (201 km)
7. Hilly Fri 07/11/2025 Saint-Malo > Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan (194 km)

Wed. 02/07 -
Thu. 03/07 - Team Presentation
Fri. 04/07 -
Sat. 05/07 - Stage 01
Sun. 06/07 - Stage 02
Mon. 07/07 - Stage 03
Tue. 08/07 - Stage 04
Wed. 09/07 - Stage 05
Thu. 10/07 - Stage 06
Fri. 11/07 - Stage 07

Itinerary:
There is this ceremony, Team Presentation that takes place on Thursday, two days before the Grand Départ. All the riders are presented before the audience. Most of the time it is a public event (meaning no tickets required and anybody can attend) and on 'first come first served' basis.

On rare occasions it is held indoors and you need reservation at no cost or purchasing tickets (like the one held in an arena in Leeds Yorkshire UK in 2014 and I was there).

It is not so special but you get to see all the riders and hear some of them talk on the stage. Usualy it is held in the afternoon and if it is held in France, the show is run in French and English.

On Friday, I visit the hotels where the team are staying. Since the first three stages are held in a small area, it is safe to assume they stay at the same hotels until Tuesday morning. I like visiting them on this day because they are relaxed. You can ask for some pictures and autograph.

It was easy to find the hotels before as all the hotels were listed on the detailed version of the roadbook. Nowadays the list of the hotels is gone. I have to guess where they are staying now. Ibis is one of the Partners (suppliers or sponsors) of the Tour de France. Naturally, they (Ibis hotels) are frequently hosting some teams.
There could be some surprises. Once I ran into Cadel Evans (Australian TdF winner of 2011) in 2019 when I visited the hotel where Team Qhubeka (formerly Dimension Data) was staying to see Lars Ytting Bak. I asked him for a photo with me. I had my Hannah (back then only 3 months old) with me so he told me to hold the cat so he could take the photo.

Team Presentation:
The venue is unknown but I assume it would be the square in front of the Mairie de Lille (Lille city hall). I may attend it.

I intend to find a nice camp site not too close to Lille for Thursday and Friday. I don't like crowded camp sites as I am with Hannah (a shy timid girl cat). She plays freely at camp sits. She is used to being outdoors.

Stage 01
a. Stop: Côte de Cassel (Casselberg*)
b. (after stage) Transfer: almost none
c. Accommodation (overnighting): Camp site near Cassel

*Belgian race organizers call it Casselberg (it is not an official name that you would find on a map), which means none other than Côte de Cassel (climb of Cassel).

The course (185 km) is mostly flat except for the three climbs (I think category 4?). One of them is the climb at Cassel. This climb is located almost on the border between France and Belgium. Some Belgian road races feature it on occasions. In fact I may have been there before. I just don't remember.

The beginning of the climb, the crossing of D916 and D933, is a choking point of the course. If you watch the race and walk about 100 meters (110 yards), you will meet the riders for the second time in about fifteen minutes as they make a small loop of 10 km (6 miles).

Even if you wait for the race on top of the climb, you can still watch some of the riders twice by taking a shortcut down the hill for about 700 meters (half a mile) to D916 (though it may not worth the panting and sweating).

Stage 02
a. Stop: Côte de Saint-Étienne-Au-Mont
b. Transfer: 80 km (Back to the camp site)
c. Accommodation: Camp site near Cassel

The second stage is "hilly" according to the organizer. It features numerous small hills (knolls?) not higher than 200 meters. Côte de Saint-Étienne-Au-Mont is about 80 km away from Cassel. I will drive there in the morning and come back to Cassel in the evening.

Stage 03
a. Stop: Côte de Cassel (Casselberg)
b. Transfer: 258 km (Cassel to Belbeuf)
Transfer: 215 km (ditto - No toll)
Transfer: 270 km (Cassel to le Pont-Saint-Pierre)
c. Accommodation: camp site on the way

The second time? I have not decided but the course (178 km) is really as flat as a pancake. I think this place would be popular, literally full of people.

After the stage, I have a long transfer (more than 200 km). I will check in a camp site on the way. I will look out for the "Camping" signs like this.

As usual I drop in on a camp site on the way before 20:00.




Stage 04
a. Stop: Belbeuf / le Pont-Saint-Pierre
b. Transfer: 150 km (le Pont-Saint-Pierre to Rosel)
c. Accommodation: roadside camping?


These are the climbs near Reuen. I will be there.

After the stage, I will drive straight to Caen and inspect the ITT course. The course (parcours in French) is as flat as flitter.

There are two choking points on the course. One is a relatively big roundabout and the other is just an intersection (par Google Street View). I am very sure you will see the riders simultaneously at the latter.

I assume that the course is closed and riders might start riding the course before the publicity caravan. It is possible that the ITT course is closed from 08:00 to 18:00.

For this reason, I would prefer staying on the course instead of seeking a camp site nearby.

Stage 05
a. Stop: Rosel
b. Transfer: 51 km (Rosel to le Vey)
c. Accommodation: camp site near le Vey

Camping les Rochers des Parcs
French (https://www.camping-normandie-clecy.eu/)
English (https://www.camping-normandie-clecy.com/)

Rosel is a small village on the outskirt of Caen. There is a very subtle ascending road (1 to 2 %) there so you don't really call it a climb. I like this location because the road (D126) seems to be a local narrow road.

As expected, this D126 section is a narrow road through patches of meadow pasture according to Google Street View.

After the stage, I will drive only for about 50 km.

Stage 06
a. Stop: le Vey
b. Transfer: 255 km (le Vey to Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan)
c. Accommodation: camp site at Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan

Le Vey is a small town (village) at the foot of small climb. It is located at about 60 km from the start. It seems that this small climb is steep. Since the race will pass around noon or bit later?, I can leave for the next destination early.

Google Street View tells me that the road D133A is a narrow road with no divider lines at all. The road side is narrow. I think I have to park on the farmer's property of some kind (seemingly corn and grass fields, food for the local cattle). I think a lot of people do the same.

The transfer is relatively long. As le Vey is only some 60 km from the start (Bayeux), I'm done with the race early in the afternoon. I hope I reach Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan by 17:00.

I realized something. I have to cross one time or another the race course on my way to the destination. In other words, if I'm lucky I may see the race again. I have to be careful not to run into the race course more than necessary.


Mûr-de-Bretagne (Guerlédan) is a well known name if you love the Tour de France. It is a frequent venue. I have been there twice, I believe. There is a huge free parking space provided by (supposedly) the local city at the intersection of D767 and N164. I usually spend the night there. Only toilets are provided there.

There are many camp sites in the area, too. They can be full (in French 'complet').

Stage 07
a. Stop: Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan
b. Transfer:195 km (to craon / Nuillé-Sur-Vicoin)
c. Accommodation: camp site on the way

Cmping Municipal Montauban-de-Bretagne
(https://www.montauban-de-bretagne.fr/camping-municipal/)
Monday - Friday : 9h to 12h and 13h30 to 17h
(This camp site is not for me as there are too much restrictions)

Camping Municipal Vitré
(https://www.vitre.bzh/camping-municipal)
(This camp site is not so good for me, either)


The last time I was at Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan I stayed at the lower part of the climb. Why not the steeper part of the climb? Because the lower part has trees so I could stay in the shade. The upper part provides almost no shade.

The planned transfer is 195 km long. Stage 8 is desperately flat with no hills highger than 150 meters or so.

After the stage I will drive around 200 km to Nuillé-Sur-Vicoin, maybe. It is located about 17 km from the finish. According to Cycling Stage and Google Street View, there is a slight climb and nice wide roadside with possible shade.

It is likely that I will seek for a camp site on the way or just get to Nuillé-sur-Vicoin and sleep in the tent.

There are camp sites along the way but many are "municipal" sites and their reception hours are not really convenient for someone like me who arrives late in the evening.

(to be continued...)

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Tour de France 2025 and the itinerary 2]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2024/12/04(水) 21:53:55|
2. Tour de France
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Front fork luggage carrier rack

(Pet basket)
This basket was very useful on my Brompton after tying an adapter to make it firmly fixed on the Brompton.

(Pet carrier Backpack)
This could be useful when I ride my road bike to carry my Hannah.

(Luggage rack)
These could be useful when I want to carry some paint on my road bike.

(Luggage rack)
(ditto)

(Paint tray)
I don't like one of these but ...

I am planning or I just want to take my bike with me on my Tour de France 2025 camp trip. This year (2024) I took my Brompton with me. I enjoyed it. I took it up Plateau de Beille up to around 4 or 5 km down the finish.

Brompton's carrier system is well designed. The front basket is attached to the bracket fixed on the frame (on the column tube) so that the basket stays stable compared to the one attached to the handle bar or front fork.

I have a pet carrier basket complete with a wire cover. I attached a stay and it attaches to the Brompton. It worked well and I could take a 5L (5 litter) paint pail and Hannah inside the basket.

In 2025 I would like to take my road bike (Cervélo) with me. It takes extra work on my part if I take a road bike. I have to put the Saris Bones hitch rack (2-bike) on my Mazda MX-5. Yes, my Mazda MX-5 is equipped with a trailer hitch (detachable).

I remove the wheels and keep them inside the car while driving. I put the entire bike inside the car when I leave the car for more than 10 minutes or so (while shopping at supermarket).

OK, then what happens to Hannah? How should I take her and the painting kit (paint, roller and tray) with me when I take my road bike?

I don't see any suitable baskets that would fit a road bike. Yes, I can find small (narrow) ones but I don't like the way they look on a road bike.

So I bought this backpack. It is not as roomy as the basket I use on the Brompton. This way I don't need any modification to the bike.

Usually I keep 5 L (5 litter) pail bucket as it can stay in my tiny car and also I can carry it with ease. When I take it on the bike, I mix the paint with water before I leave to save space (as you can see the total weight stays the same).

OK, then what happens to the paint kit? I think I am going to buy these fork mount racks. I think I can tie (fix) large PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles and others (our food and other equipment). I haven't bought them yet. I am still considering.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ

[Luggage carrier for a bike]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2024/12/04(水) 00:29:08|
2. Tour de France
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Tour de France 2025
A very useful site
Cycling Stage
(https://www.cyclingstage.com/tour-de-france-2025-route/)

Preface:
This whole plan could not have been made possible without the very helpful information provided by this site. I wish I had known this site before.

I did not get the detailed course information (of the TdF 2024) until sometime July 2024 when the official site finally revealed it.

It was too late for me to plan everything before leaving for the first stage (Stage 10). I had to improvise or decide in a hurry for the transfers. I could not inspect the routes before leaving (on Garmin BaseCamp). I made some errors and wasted some time and money by taking the wrong (or not so optimal) routes.

My Garmin Camper 660 (with the latest map updates) knows a great deal of European roads but it does not know the road blocks enforced by the Gendarmairie officers for the Tour de France.

In the mountainous areas, on most occasions detouring around those very road blocks is not possible. This is where you have to decide what to do. Chances are the longer time to consider you have, the wiser decision you will come up with.

Namely, which is better, 1. taking a long long detour to get to the destination or 2. waiting for the road block to devolve after the passage of the race (a couple of hours) and getting past the road block?

Moreover, which is better, 1. skipping a stage all together to beat the road block time limit (around 16:00) or 2. getting to the road block late in the evening (and spending the night there) and climbing up the mountain on foot or on a bike the next day.

This is my initial plan for the Tour de France 2025 at this moment (as of November 2024). I plan to take a long vacation (or just quit the job) to follow all the stages of TdF 2025.

When I plan my camping tour in my tiny Mazda MX-5 with my Hannah (a tiny female cat), I plan things ahead using my trusty Garmin navigation device (Camper 660) and the BaseCamp software.

How do I plan it and what do I plan ahead?
What do I plan?

a. Where to watch the peloton at

b. How long I should drive to reach the overnighting point after the stage

c. Where and how to spend the night


Explanations:
a. Where? A climb. On rare occasions I choose a scenic spot.

Once I chose "Passage du Gois" because this was a very scenic place (a thin strip of path appears only when the sea level goes down).

I like watching the race. I prefer watching the peloton go slow so I can watch individual riders. Naturally I prefer ascending locations than flat or descending locations.

I seek for climbing locations even for so-called flat spring stages. The profile information provided by the official site (letour.fr) is just a small picture file and it is absolutely impossible to know how steep those climbs are by looking at them.

On the other hand, "Cycling Stage" site has interactive maps (map locations and their corresponding locations on the profile graph). One knows the gradient numbers.

b. How long I should drive?
c. Where and how to spend the night?

In France there are so many commercial camp sites. Some say that there are more than 3,000 or 5,000. So I don't make reservation beforehand but I try one on my way as I drive.

Those ones (commercial camp sites) near the start or finish tend to be full (no vacancy). At camp sites in remote and rustic areas I just can get there and ask for a place to stay at the reception (Accueil).

During summer, they accept people who arrive after usual office hours. Often you find a piece of paper telling that those who arrive to find the empty reception office have to call "this number". At some places, you find instructions on the paper telling that you can stay and pay in the morning.

It is perfectly OK to camp on the side of the road on the evening and night on the course awaiting the peloton the next day. Not anywhere but where there is ample place.

People stay in the mountain where no other accommodation is available. I do this a lot. I look for places where I can stay off the road as I can let Hannah free so tht she can freely play in the wild. My Hannah is accustomed to being let free in the wild.

There are signs along the roads, in villages and cities pointing to camp sites and the navigation device has camp sites locations. I try to check in one of them before 20:00. Some camp sites have bars or restaurants that stay open until late hours and most of the time they can let you sign up for the night even later in the evening.

When I have a long transfer in short time, I spend the night in my car. For example, most of the time, the last Saturday stage (before the Champs-Elysées stage), one has to drive 400, 500, 600 km to get to Paris. I drive all the night to get there. I take a short rest at the gas station along the French tollway.

Side trips?
I rarely take side trips. I did take one. I visited Mont-Saint-Michel on my way to Brest. In 2025 I am tempted to visit Omaha Beach if possible.

Index:
What I planned so far:
Chapter 1 (Stage 1 to 7: Grand Départ, Normandie and Bretagne)
Chapter 2 (Stage 8 to 10: Transition to the Pyrenees)
Chapter 3 (Stage 11 to 15: the Pyrenees)
Chapter 4 (Stage 16 to 21: the Alps)

(to be continued . . .)

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Tour de France 2025 and the itinerary]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2024/11/26(火) 21:35:13|
2. Tour de France
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