For those three special weeks in July plenty is written about the centrepiece, the riders. What they do before a stage, what they do after a stage, how they get to Versailles for the final stage and how they manage their media commitments.
In fact, courtesy of a various number of teams and media outlets we can be transported to what goes on behind the scenes for the riders; but what of the supporters?
The people who spend plenty of time and money following the race and are a major reason why cycling is one of the most sponsored and documented sports in the world.
Unless you’ve been to the Tour or known someone who has there are plenty of unanswered questions. In this article I intend to shed some light on the best ways to enjoy visiting the Tour.
For the past week I have been in the Alps, following the final five stages before they arrive in Paris. It has been one of the best weeks of my life.
I decided to go there with a tour company by the name of On The Road Cycling Tours. Most companies offer similar packages with opportunities to ride some of the stages and experience part of the greatest race on earth.
What many people don’t realise is how hard it can be to obtain a great position along the route but also how much planning is needed.
We stayed in the lovely alpine town of Briancon, meaning we were within about two hours of each stage start/finish.
But just because we were close didn’t mean we were waiting until an hour before the stage start and waltz down. It was an early start whether you were riding or simply watching.
Why? Because the roads are closed along the route throughout the day and the earlier you’re there the more time you have for sightseeing and in my case a beer or two in the local bar.
If you intend to ride part of the stage then ensure you have the kilometres in the legs because it is no gentle roll getting through the Alps or the Pyrenees. The climbs are a lot harder than they appear on tv.
If you go with a tour company you’ll generally spend the day at one of three possible positions. Start, finish or feed zone. Feed zones can be good if you intend on souveniring a bidon.
The start and finish are generally just big parties. The caravan comes through and if you’ve got a good pair hands you can usually collect plenty of free Tour merchandise.
Hats, shirts, lollies and even bread are launched into the crowds. Every stage is a celebration, cycling groups continually rolling into town with plenty of people packing out the local bars and restaurants.
Personally the highlight was the Alpe d’Huez. The mystical climb is sold out almost a year in advance in terms of accommodation and here is where going with a tour company becomes very beneficial.
The mountain itself is usually closed to public traffic with only access given to accredited vehicles. But often the cycling companies can have someone on board who can get you through the checkpoints.
If you do end up on top of the mountain via car or van don’t have designs on racing down and into the valley. Expect to be in traffic as everyone including the ASO, team buses and officials try to get down the mountain first.
The Alp itself is generally quite cool at the top so take a jacket and plan for the possibility of rain whether it is forecast or not.
My advice; find a bar with a TV, sit back and relax and make your way to a viewing position when the riders are about ten minutes off.
Alpe d’Huez has plenty of shops and bars available and you could easily spend a day just wondering through the town.
My take on the Tour? It is basically a three-week party. People, music and merchandise at every turn.
I would heavily recommend visiting the Tour with a company. Based on my experience not only will you have the trip of a lifetime but you will have the benefit of possibly riding with a retired professional up some of the most famous climbs in world cycling.
Personally I would highly recommend On the Road Cycling. The people who run it are terrific. They love their cycling and one retired professional in particular can answer almost any cycling question you have.
Given that the organisers know some of the riders or mechanics you may get the chance to meet some of the riders or have dinner at a team hotel.
We luckily found the hotel of Euskaltel-Euskadi and Cannondale, even spotting Peter Sagan relaxing in the lobby.
The tour is something worth experiencing, whether you choose to ride or not. The atmosphere is electric. There is no other sporting event like it in the world. To visit the stages costs nothing and are definitely not to be missed.
Of course being in France means the food is terrific practically everywhere you go and the wine is generally top notch.
If you go with a company who has some retired professionals acting as guides you’ll get plenty of interesting stories from inside the peloton.
Whether it was a day when they stopped to grab ice cream along the way because it was hot or if they decided they needed a beer whilst riding a climb.
According to a photo on Twitter during the Alpe d’Huez stage, Adam Hansen stopped by at Dutch Corner for a beer as his domestique duties were not needed by Andre Greipel.
If you have never been to a cycling event before than I suggest you make the Tour de France your first. You will never regret it and it will be the experience of a lifetime.
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