July
15
2010
By Greg Sacks
It's a damn shame what Floyd, Tyler and others have done to the sport, but never-mind the scandals—the Tour de France remains an epic month-long show of struggle and beauty, with the French countryside eclipsing all other protagonists. You should really go see it for yourself.
Logistics can be challenging, with hotels booked up months in advance and road closures at every turn, but the payoffs more than make up for the inconveniences. A carnival atmosphere sweeps over the quiet mountain passes, with caravans jockeying for top viewing positions and the villagers proudly showing off their local wares. Bike stands pop up in every town square and the entire country seems to be awash in neon lycra. Hell, I got so into it I even shaved my legs.
The best days to watch are the mountain stages in the Alps & the Pyrenees, when the riders slow down enough so you can pick them out from the amorphous blur. Arrive early and test yourself on these historic climbs, then pull over and let the pros do their thing while you eat humble pie (over there they call it Tarte du Humilité). Last year the pros' average speed was over 40 kms an hour over 3500 kms of road—doping or no doping that's a staggering feat.
In between stages, why not helicopter to the beaches of the Côte d'Azur, tour the antique markets of Provence, kayak in the Ardèche or go wine tasting in Burgundy? July is a brilliant month to travel around France, so next year let us help you be there in person rather than watching it on TV.
www.letour.fr
Greg Sacks' (once again) hairy legs are momentarily grounded in our Toronto office. If you're looking to plan ahead for the next Tour de France (or a Tour de any-place-you-like, really), get in touch with us to talk about our trip planning services.