Fitbay said:
I am planning on seeing the above stage at this years Tour. Has anyone got any advice on getting a good spot i.e. do you need to camp overnight on the mountain side can you drive and park easily etc etc.
Any thoughts or advice would be most welcome.
Rgds
Fitbay
I can't comment on L'Alpe d'huez, but in last year's tour my wife, kid, and I hiked up Ax-3-Domaines to watch the finishing climb of Stage 14 just outside the village of Ax-des-Thermes. We stood just past the 4 km to go banner with a bunch of crazy basques (who were very friendly).
We did not plan well, and were so freaking fortuitous that we even got to see the race. We drove in the day of the race, stopping along the way in a few towns to take in some sightseeing (DUMB). We arrived on the outskirts of town about 3-4 hours before the race, but by that time the French police had literally closed down all roads into town several kilometers out. Seems the town was "full." Panicking, they directed us to park in a nearby parking lot, where many people just walked into town. the parking lot happened to be at a train station, so we joined the throng of people there "hoping" a train would come...20 minutes later it did (coming from Foix), and we crammed like cattle into an already packed train (BLIND LUCK). no one was collecting fares, so we just got on for free (BLIND LUCK). got into town, hiked up the hill in the blistering heat, and waited for hours with only one bottle of water and no food (DUMB). the race went by quickly (about 30 minutes from Totsching's solo to the confidis rider bringing up the rear). We hiked backed down, dodging the racers who were riding back down the mountain, sunburnt and exhausted, quickly downed 4 liters of water between us, hopped back on the train, and were out of there within a couple of hours. So, we made several mistakes yet were very lucky...and L'alpe will be much more crazy I would suspect.
If I had to do it all over again, I would be to get there the night before if at all possible and do whatever it takes to find a place to sleep (think tent, park bench). Or, plan on getting there VERY early in the morning when crowds are less. There'll already be people there, but it won't be so packed that you can't find a decent viewing opportunity. In our case the town was flooded with people in the afternoon. It is vital to bring along sunscreen, lots of water (in a cooler preferably), food, and lots of pockets for the goodies the caravan throws out before the riders arrive. Plan on taking the whole day and consider it one long picnic/party.
If you get a free mussette bag, don't go swinging it as the riders go by in the off-chance you hook someone's handlebars. And don't mind the police TOO seriously...they'll scream for everyone to get back...I obeyed...everyone else didn't, and I lost a few good viewing opportunities. And don't under-estimate these guys' speed if you're one to lean over into their path for a view...they fly up the mountains.
hope you have a good time. I'll definitely make it back one day.
Mark
