On the 20th July this year, and for the first time ever, the Tour is spinning it's way through our village. The route literally passes by the end of our street. We will be able to sit out on our front balcony, rose in hand, and watch it go by. How lucky are we? I stand by an earlier call that Souillac has been included in the race this year thanks to The Man and his brother's spectacular celebratory semi-naked bike ride when Cadel won in 2011: http://ourhouseinquercy.blogspot.fr/2011/07/aussies-in-souillac-celebrate-cadels.html
I was recently contacted by Kris from the USA seeking tips on where she should position herself in Souillac to get the best Tour view. Because I am very lazy, instead of writing a whole new blog I though I would just share my advice to her with you:
Tour: the real highlight is the caravane BEFORE the tour. You need to be in location hours before the race (say three) or they have the road closed. From our experience last year, I would say that out of town is better as you really get pushed around during the caravane if you are in a crowded place. Take food, water and shelter if your can, and a seat. You are there for ages so pee before you go or be prepared to go in the trees! You are right, they just wizz by. Last year we went for a position just after a steep corner where they swung around into our view. We got a great shot of Cadel (Aussie - and last year's winner) as he went past waving. We blogged about this http://ourhouseinquercy.blogspot.fr/2011/07/cadel-evans-magic-at-tour-de-france.html
If you are coming in from the West I would either head up the hill toward Cressensac or back south toward Payrac. But really, wait and see on the day. Another tip: try and park on a back road facing the direction you want to drive off in - the main course remains blocked for an hour or two after the race goes through and then traffic is bumper to bumper. If you can identify a back route that takes you away from the course in the direction of your digs, you can get out of there once the race passes through.
The 20th of July is a Friday, hence market day here in Souillac. If you are planning on watching the Tour from here, come early. You can view the timetable for the 20th July here http://www.letour.fr/2012/TDF/COURSE/us/1800/etape_par_etape.html#comm
and check out the rest of the Tour courses and general information on the same website.
I was recently contacted by Kris from the USA seeking tips on where she should position herself in Souillac to get the best Tour view. Because I am very lazy, instead of writing a whole new blog I though I would just share my advice to her with you:
Tour: the real highlight is the caravane BEFORE the tour. You need to be in location hours before the race (say three) or they have the road closed. From our experience last year, I would say that out of town is better as you really get pushed around during the caravane if you are in a crowded place. Take food, water and shelter if your can, and a seat. You are there for ages so pee before you go or be prepared to go in the trees! You are right, they just wizz by. Last year we went for a position just after a steep corner where they swung around into our view. We got a great shot of Cadel (Aussie - and last year's winner) as he went past waving. We blogged about this http://ourhouseinquercy.blogspot.fr/2011/07/cadel-evans-magic-at-tour-de-france.html
If you are coming in from the West I would either head up the hill toward Cressensac or back south toward Payrac. But really, wait and see on the day. Another tip: try and park on a back road facing the direction you want to drive off in - the main course remains blocked for an hour or two after the race goes through and then traffic is bumper to bumper. If you can identify a back route that takes you away from the course in the direction of your digs, you can get out of there once the race passes through.
The 20th of July is a Friday, hence market day here in Souillac. If you are planning on watching the Tour from here, come early. You can view the timetable for the 20th July here http://www.letour.fr/2012/TDF/COURSE/us/1800/etape_par_etape.html#comm
and check out the rest of the Tour courses and general information on the same website.
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| Last year's victory ride - a source of national pride. |
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Obviously a popular topic today - but at least you can spell 'caravane', unlike me. Methinks you have integrated yourself a notch deeper to have such a grasp of the lingo. As much as the French have set to show the Aussies how it's done after 'The Man's' flagrently outrageous victory win, they have also decided to show the 'collapsed english woman under a heap of bike at the side of the road in Normandy' how it's done too. Bl..dy foriegners!
ReplyDeleteHa ha!! At least you ride. I bought a lovely old bike (had images of riding through the village to buy wine etc) and nearly died riding it home. But it was four blocks, and up a hill!!!. I am being told by loitering offspring to correct that and type instead 'gentle incline'. Apparently still not good enough. Okay okay, it was a slight elevation possibly undetectable t'o anything other than the most sensitive of altimeters'. Ps Bugger off nosey child, and no play station for you tonight.
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