Gravemaurice Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Hi, It's that time again to start planning for the summer and catching Le Tour 2014. This will be the first time catching the tour in our motorhome and we are not sure whether to head for the Alps or Pyrenees stages. There are three stages incorporating each range and I'd like to see if anyone can offer any advice or suggestions as to which would be better us novices with the van. The initial attractions for me are that the Alps would allow us to catch a bit of the neighbouring countries such as Germany, Italy, Switzerland whereas the Pyrenees would be a straight trip down through France and dipping our toes in to northern Spain. We would also be in the Carcasonne neck of the woods if we headed for the Pyrenees. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions or advice which might help us decide? Anyone done either (or both) for the tour? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Both mountain ranges are well worth the visit but both have some pretty long and hairy flights of hairpin bends sometimes extending several miles in close order when climbing and descending. Not a problem for a competent and experienced driver but some larger vans will find they are unable to get round some of the sharper bends in one bite, even when there is no oncoming traffic, which again is not a problem unless there is a lot of traffic in both directions. If there is heavy oncoming traffic many more bends will become a handful as you need all of the road for many of them. You might find that two trips are needed to do the areas justice - one for the tour and one for the scenery and local attractions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gravemaurice Posted December 20, 2013 Author Share Posted December 20, 2013 Initial research has me liking the long gentle climb to Col du Lautaret on Stage 14 between La Grave and Col du Lautaret. Scenery is still green and being a long fairly straight stretch there will be better opportunities for getting parked up. Early days though so thanks for the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 It's not usually possible to catch consecutive stages, unless one starts where the last one finished. You need to find a good spot the afternoon before the stage you want to see. In 2012 (Wiggo's year!) we settled for one stage in each mountain range. You're right to go for the mountains - climbs, not descents - because the riders are slower and more spread out. We found the best method was to drive DOWN tomorrows climb during the afternoon, until we found a good spot. Others would join us later, creating an international festival atmosphere! Oh, and pitch as close to the road as you dare, or someone will squeeze in front of you! Just leave room for your chairs, and your "Allez Wiggo!" banner! We won't be there this time, our trips are spring and late summer, so if you post what your van looks like, and what's on your banner, we'll look out for you on telly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cervantes Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 We saw the tour last year in both the Pyrenees and the Alps, and driving-wise the Pyrenees won hands down. The crowds are bigger in the Alps, but that leaves you more room in the Pyrenees. The stages this year in the Pyrenees are up some very special mountains - Col deTourmalet, Pla d'Adet, Col de Peyresourde, Col du Tourmalet and Hautacam.The tour will probably be decided on these two stages so the atmosphere will be electric.The roads are plenty wide enough in the Pyrenees for a motorhome no matter how wide or long - there were some massive ones on the Mont Ventoux this year.There is a great camaraderie on the slopes when you get parked up amongst all the different nationalities - it really l is unique.We are driving up from Spain to see the start in Yorkshire, then following it down to the Pyrenees.Wherever you end up you will have an experience never to be forgotten which you can repeat over and over again in your motorhome.Hope you enjoy it - I'm sure you will.You can see where we stayed and some info on the tour on our blog athttp://themotorhomeyears.blogspot.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Tony Jones - 2013-12-20 10:43 PM We won't be there this time ! Cervantes reminds me this isn't strictly true - we'll be there for Stage 3 in Essex of course! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Gravemaurice - 2013-12-20 9:55 PM Initial research has me liking the long gentle climb to Col du Lautaret on Stage 14 between La Grave and Col du Lautaret. Scenery is still green and being a long fairly straight stretch there will be better opportunities for getting parked up. Early days though so thanks for the input. Plenty of parking at Col du Lautaret and you can easily stay the night. All approaches to this col, their are three, are easy for a motorhome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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