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TDF: Nantes Time Trial Viewing
Mike Jacoubowsk wrote:
We will be in France & will have time to watch the Nantes Time Trial. I had a few questions for those of you who have been there. 1. We don't necessarily want to watch the finish; however, we do want to get towards the end of the course. Also, with a wife and a couple younger kids in tow who don't get excited by watching bikes go by one-at-a-time for six hours, it makes sense to me to be in an accessible town. I am thinking settling somewhere in Nantes, or one of the towns down the road. Is the finishing town crazy? (I'll have to go back and look at the WCP tapes.) Anything near the final 2km is to be avoided, unless you really enjoy a massive crunch of people. A massive crunch of people that insists on further crunching at every opportunity! I tried to view the finish of a road stage at last year's TDF, and had to wrap myself around a light pole and still saw nothing more than a few helmets poking out above the heads of the crowd. I would suggest checking out the map carefully and find a tight corner somewhere along the middle of the course. You're not going to have any idea about who finished when, but it will still be quite exciting as you note the gaps between riders and wait for the next mini-motorcade to fly through. With a couple of younger kids, make sure you bring stuff for them to do, and lots of cold stuff to drink. In France it can be *very* hot in July. Last year, it turns out I missed a great opportunity at the final time trial to see Lance near the start. We had positioned ourselves at the finishing town (Macon) and were concerned about getting back to the train station in time for the train to Paris, so we missed Lance (and the other GC contenders) going by towards the end. Gee, talk about dumb... the course took a road no more than 200 meters from the TGV station!!! 2. How early before the caravan do you usually need to settle in somewhere? I am thinking in the country there may be a half kilometer walk from the route to where we can park. Or can you go through the route early and just pull the car off the side of the road? The Caravan comes through about two hours prior to the first rider. It's definitely a big deal for the kids, so it's not something to be missed. If you settle in towards the middle of the course (or any other less-dense area), I doubt you'll have to walk very far. BUT... if you choose a spot with very few people, the Caravan is going to cruise through at very high speed and not toss out any goodies for your kids. 3. Is there any race radio that is broadcast in part in english? I have a french interpreter along, but I don't think he would handle an "excited", running commentary of sports reporters. For a time trial, an "interpreter" will do just fine. There will only be a few official time checks on the course and a lot of background banter. You'll also find you're quite popular if you have either a radio or, better yet, battery-operated TV. French TV signals seem to reach very nicely into the countryside, even into the more mountainous regions, in a way we don't seem to in the US. --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles http://www.chainreactionbicycles.com/h- ttp://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com "Tom I" wrote in message - . .. We will be in France & will have time to watch the Nantes Time Trial. I had a few questions for those of you who have been there. 1. We don't necessarily want to watch the finish; however, we do want to get towards the end of the course. Also, with a wife and a couple younger kids in tow who don't get excited by watching bikes go by one-at-a-time for six hours, it makes sense to me to be in an accessible town. I am thinking settling somewhere in Nantes, or one of the towns down the road. Is the finishing town crazy? (I'll have to go back and look at the WCP tapes.) 2. How early before the caravan do you usually need to settle in somewhere? I am thinking in the country there may be a half kilometer walk from the route to where we can park. Or can you go through the route early and just pull the car off the side of the road? 3. Is there any race radio that is broadcast in part in english? I have a french interpreter along, but I don't think he would handle an "excited", running commentary of sports reporters. Thank you very much! Tom I. Saint Paul, MN Tom, This is a wonderfully helpful message. My wife and I are making our first trip to the tour this year, and are pretty naive about the reality of race day. So I like your suggestion of a tight corner for viewing. I've searched for a map showing the route, but without success. Anyone out there have a link? Best regards, John Nicholls -- -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
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