Riding the Tour Route

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by mattbordish
I and a friend are thinking of riding the route of the tour de france summer 2005, call me crazy.

Has anyone out there done it, i know theres that book "revolutions" or something? Any info on how do-able it is, as in stayin at b+bs or whatever would be useful.

Cheers

Yes read French Revolutions by Tim Moore it's a classic! The guy is comedy and he starts off as a lazy git and gradually learns how to ride. Judging by his story, it should be do-able carrying stuff in panniers and staying in random b & b's, hostels etc, as long as you've got the time to do it.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by mattbordish
I and a friend are thinking of riding the route of the tour de france summer 2005, call me crazy.

Has anyone out there done it, i know theres that book "revolutions" or something? Any info on how do-able it is, as in stayin at b+bs or whatever would be useful.

Cheers

While I applaud your ambition to cycle the route of the TDF, please be advised that the TDF route will be extremely tough both mentally and physically.
In order to complete this trip, it is best that you prepare yourself thoroughly before commencing same.

If you are riding the route of the TDF : I suggest that you need someone driving a car/camper while you’re cycling the route.

You have to get your belongings from A-B throughout the entire route, so you will need
a car to transport your cycling clothes and your everyday clothing for you.
If you’re planning to cycle 3,500 kilometres, you’ll need to be equipped with mechanical tools and suchlike in case you bike breaks down (OK, you could rely on bringing your bike to a shop but presuming that there is some time constraint on you for doing this journey, it is best to bring a spare bike and you’ll need a car to store/transport same).
Finally, it is good to have someone there with you, so that if anything serious does happen to you (and let’s hope that it doesn’t) you will at least have someone there to assist you – this is important reason of all !

Are you planning to cycle the mountain routes per TDF ?
This makes your trip even tougher, I suggest that your main bike and your support bike is fitted with a triple chainset.
The TDF route is no place for false modesty – the mountains will humble you regardless of your level of fitness.
If you intend to cycle this route in 17 cycling days (3500km / 200-150 kms per day = 17 cycling days !), your going to need every assistance possible.
Not knowing where you’re from, I am presuming that you have never been to the Alps or Pyrennees ?
It is hard to articulate just how steep some of the mountains are on any TDF route.
In trying to visualize how difficult the steepness might be, try placing your bike on the staircase at home and then try sitting on the bike in that position.
This will give you some impression of the gradient that you will have to cycle over during your trip.

The Alpine climbs tend to be shorter but steeper, whereas the Pyrennian climbs are more gradual but are far longer.
Be prepared however to having to suffer in both locations, because you will suffer !
Tiredness and heat, and the accumulated distance in your legs, will make these climbs even more difficult.
Make sure you have plenty of cream for your nether regions and ensure that you are well lathered before commencing cycling each day.

Finally and most importantly of all, you will need to ensure that you’re eating very well during this trip.
It is essential to fuel up each day – and to eat each hour, every hour, regardless of whether you’re hungry or not.
Also you will need to be very well hydrated – bring plenty of liquid to drink while you’re cycling.

Temperatures in both locations can easily be upwards of high 20 degrees Celsius.
Make sure that you bring plenty of light cycling clothes – as well as leggings and heavy cycling clothes.
Because you will be at altitude, the weather can change quickly, so each day make sure that you have both types of apparel with you before you set out, in the mountains, just in case the weather changes.

One final point, it might well be a good idea to get a thorough medical from your doctor before setting out on such a cycle.
You need to be sure that physically all is well before setting out on your adventure.

Good luck !