Sean and Melinda Cool decided they wanted to watch a stage of the Tour de France in France rather than on TV. It took quite a lot of preparation and they were kind enough to come on the podcast to share how they pulled it off. It's a lot of preparation, so take a listen, take out your pen and paper because 2023 could be the year you do it too!

They were in person for the stages of Carcassonne, Foix and Peyragudes, so they did this 3 times! They did not bring their own bikes, but rented bikes locally and that worked out for them as well. There will be another episode soon with folks who brough their own bikes over from the US to follow the Tour.

Why watching a stage of the Tour de France in France is wonderful

1. You don't get to chat with fellow Tour enthusiasts when you watch the Tour on TV
2. They had good luck with a bike shop called Evadeo in Carcassonne, recommended
3. You can ride along the Canal du Midi
4. Getting stuff like shirts and hats from the Caravan
5. Use the Tour de France App
6. Ask Tourist Offices about road closures, they'll know a few days before the Tour
7. People following the Tour in their RV

 

Table of Contents for 'Watching a stage of the Tour de France in France' with links to the text transcript  

• [00:00:14] Intro
• [00:00:37] Today on the podcast
• [00:01:00] Supporters of the podcast
• [00:01:31] Thank you new patrons
• [00:02:55] Join us on Patreon
• [00:03:55] Show notes and transcript
• [00:04:21] Next week on the podcast
• [00:04:39] Supporting Elyse
• [00:04:58] Feedback and newsletter
• [00:05:56] Melinda and Sean
• [00:06:48] The difference between being there in person and watching it on tv
• [00:09:00] The stages they followed
• [00:10:16] Why Carcasonne
• [00:11:16] Shakeout rides
• [00:12:13] Bike rides from Carcassonne to Trèbes
• [00:13:34] Gravel bike for rides along the Canal du Midi
• [00:16:03] Tips for Riding Bikes Around Carcassonne
• [00:17:25] Be Careful with Google Biking Directions
• [00:18:16] About Restaurants in Carcassonne
• [00:20:24] Everyone is more relaxed in Carcassonne
• [00:20:50] Eating too much foie gras while waiting for the Tour to come by!
• [00:22:23] Boulangerie in Carcassonne
• [00:23:53] Public transpot in Carcassonne[00:23:53] Figuring out the local bus company
• [00:24:44] The Caravan of the Tour de France
• [00:27:02] Getting the good stuff as the Caravan goes by
• [00:27:49] You can buy official jerseys at the start and finish lines
• [00:29:07] Watching a stage of the Tour de France in Foix
• [00:29:36] Beware of Road Closures around the Tour de France
• [00:31:53] Made some friends
• [00:33:56] Last stop
• [00:34:54] Chasing the cyclists
• [00:36:20] Following the race action on the app
• [00:36:24] Following the race live with the Tour de France App
• [00:36:51] Staying informed about road closures
• [00:38:18] Was it all they had hoped?
• [00:39:03] Tips for riding the tour yourself
• [00:41:05] The route of the 2023 Tour should be announced soon

 

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Categories: Active Vacations in France, France How To