This is the year that I am breaking down and going to France to see the le Tour. A quick Google search reveals far too many listings to really be helpful. Hoping to elicit some recommendations from fellow ST’ers. Thinking if I am looking for a high-end/quality tour group for cyclists-not tourists I would find a recommendation here.
Ultimately looking for a tour operator that rides the courses before race comes through and provides decent support (english speaking group leaders, food/water/mechanical support along the way). I can do a week and would love to ride some of the high mountains while I am there.
I am a Cat II road cyclist, speak conversational French and looking for a 7 day trip.
Any recommendations or previous experiences welcome.
Used Discover France two years ago and had a great experience. We used them for a group of 15 people, but i’m sure they have groups of different people. Very responsive to your needs as well as taking input for what difficulty you want. Some highlights were crossing a finish ahead of the tour, VIP access to finish lines, and the tour guides would have lunch at the tops of the climbs ready. If we wanted to ride more they figured it out on the fly. They had the best spots to watch scoped out too.
This is the year that I am breaking down and going to France to see the le Tour. A quick Google search reveals far too many listings to really be helpful. Hoping to elicit some recommendations from fellow ST’ers. Thinking if I am looking for a high-end/quality tour group for cyclists-not tourists I would find a recommendation here.
Ultimately looking for a tour operator that rides the courses before race comes through and provides decent support (english speaking group leaders, food/water/mechanical support along the way). I can do a week and would love to ride some of the high mountains while I am there.
I am a Cat II road cyclist, speak conversational French and looking for a 7 day trip.
Any recommendations or previous experiences welcome.
We did the tour with Trek Travel this year and it was beyond outstanding. Total VIP treatment, top of the line Madones, great support and friendly, knowledgeable guides. Can’t say enough good about our experience. On Galibier, we had the only hotel in town to ourselves. Those who opted not to ride up L’alp d’Huez were taken to the top via helicopter. Last day in Paris was on a balcony overlooking the race while sipping champagne on the Champs Elysees, then wandering down to the team buses afterwards to hunt down our favorite riders. Not a cheap trip, but worth every penny. We plan on using them for other trips in the future.
Backroads has done a trip associated with the Tour the last few years. Haven’t been on it, and not sure of itinerary, which you can get from their website. But they do fabulous trips! I’ve been on 8 of them, mostly in the US, and one in Italy.
Or, you could do it like I did close to 25 years ago. Fully self supported and tenting. Three weeks with my then 15 year old son. Paris to Marseille, TT in Grenoble and with the masses on the Champs at the end. Climbed and descended a couple of the roads that were in the tour but no famous climbs.
I went with Thomsonbiketours.com last year and had a week in the Pyrenees and a week in the Alps following the Tour around. It was fantastic and I can’t rate them highly enough. They definitely cater more towards the serious cyclist end of the market (as opposed to those who merely want to sit in a cafe and watch the peloton ride by - not that there’s anything wrong with that at all!).
I did a lot of due diligence on picking a tour company before I chose these guys. I went with them because (1) reviews/feedback from customers, (2) they ticked off all the major climbs I wanted to do, (3) a good balance between following the tour stages and ‘doing our own thing’ knocking off one famous col after another, (4) good ratio of staff/vans to riders, and (5) fantastic, informative website.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and recommendations. I checked out the Trek Travel site and have a call in to them for more information. Did not expect Trek to have such a robust operation - many companies have a network of travel contractors/subcontractors/guides.
Preference would be to ride through the Alps but there should be some good competition in the Pyrenees this year.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and recommendations. I checked out the Trek Travel site and have a call in to them for more information. Did not expect Trek to have such a robust operation - many companies have a network of travel contractors/subcontractors/guides.
Preference would be to ride through the Alps but there should be some good competition in the Pyrenees this year.
Now the only question is Alps or Pyrenees?
I did both last year. In short, you can’t go wrong with either - the riding and the TdF spectacle is equally spectaular. That said, I’d go with the Alps. The day we did the 200km loop from Alpe d’Huez, Col de la Croix de Fer, Telegraphe, Galibier and back up Alpe d’Huez (on a scorching hot Bastille Day) will live with me forever.