Going to see a stage of the Tour de France can be quite an epic journey. We went to see the team's fans along the route to ask them to share their tips for a successful day.
1 – Plan your day
Consult the official website of the Tour de France which provides you with three key elements:
- the profile to determine the moment of the stage you want to enjoy
- the map to see how to get there
- the timetable to plan your day based on the Caravan's route and the race
Tip: on the day, the Tour de France Race Centre allows you to follow the progress of the race (and the Caravan!) live. 👌
2 – Choose your atmosphere
Cycling trip and picnic with friends, lovely day out with the family or the gentle madness of the Four Cycling Club… the choice is yours!
3 – Prepare thoroughly
Be prepared for the weather: bring clothing suitable for the weather conditions, which can be extreme and changeable, especially in the mountains. Also bring sun protection: sun cream, hats, parasols... you will be spending around 7 or 8 hours by the roadside. 🥵
Bring enough to last the day: bring sufficient food and drink for the day as options may be limited along the route.
Some are more forward-thinking than others, like Thomas and Mathieu: «We actually brought the pool with us. We got a good deal yesterday, so we said «let's go for it» and bought it. Maybe the guy who sold it to us will recognise us on TV. 😅 All we need now is the barbecue, which will arrive in an hour.»
4 – Choose a good location
There is no such thing as a «good location» per se, only the one that suits you!
On a climb to watch them pass by for longer, on the flat for ease of access, close to the finish line to enjoy the crowds and atmosphere, at the start of the stage for a quiet day, with mobile coverage for those who want to follow the stage on their smartphones... it's up to you to define your criteria and find the ideal location on the day's route.
For Mathieu and Thomas, it's the local choice: «It was easy for us, we live right next door, so we didn't really think twice about it. It's still a lucky thing to have it on our doorstep. » For Jarod and Paul, it's a case of being spoilt for choice: «We follow the Tour for several days, so we try to find nice places and vary our viewing: finish lines, start lines, mid-stage locations, etc.».
5 – Respect the race
«When you arrive, the first thing you have to do is adopt the codes of the Tour de France, which means following the rules so that everything goes smoothly for everyone,» says Mathieu.
Stay behind the safety barriers, do not encroach on the road and follow the organisers' instructions. The safety of spectators and runners is paramount. Fair play is also important; all too often, runners are hindered by vehicles blocked by crowds.
6 – Prepare a return plan
After the end of the stage, roads can be very congested, especially on descents from mountain passes. When finishing at the summit, the road sometimes remains closed for a long time after the race to allow the organisation's vehicles, the Caravan and the teams to leave.
And if you've chosen the «atmosphere and intensive hydration» option, perhaps it's best to stay overnight... 🙃
7 – And why not while travelling?
This is the case for Jarod and Paul: «We're following the Tour de France for a week. We do this in a tent every night. We meet lots of people. We meet people who live locally because we always ask before pitching our tent. We also meet people from other places: yesterday, for example, we picked up some Colombian supporters who were hitchhiking and ended up spending the day with them. »
The final word
Now that you know everything, we hope to see you soon on the roadside, with team jersey and flag Of course!
A final word from Thomas & Mathieu: «Cycling is a free spectacle, it doesn't cost a penny, which is incredible. Nowadays, there aren't many sports like that. That's why we give it our all and put on a show. That's also the magic of the Tour de France: people who are proud of their region, who show it and who are actually part of the event.»
