Four Countries & The Tour de France

[Bigdave]

This is a brief summary of my recent 2800 mile trip to France, The Black Forest, Switzerland and Italy.

Friday 15th July Day 1
Calais – Vouziers Easy crossing on the Euro tunnel saw us beyond calais by mid afternoon and on open roads.

Found a little campsite just beyond Vousiers and only cost 6 euros!

The village did not have a bar that was open! although the chataux was nice

Saturday 16th July Day 2
Vouziers – the spa town of Baden-Baden (Germany)
A quick stop off at Metz then on the open roads to Baden Baden

Caught the free ferry across the Reihn to get into Germany

and found a great campsite that was only five minutes walk from great food and beer!

Sunday 17th July Day 3
Baden-Baden (Germany) – Meiringen (Switzerland)
Tour of the black forest It was raining for most of this day which did spoil the fun on the fab black forest roads. Still stunning though

and then into Switzerland........

and found a great campsite by a lake

Monday 18th July Day 4
Meiringen (Switzerland) – Mulegns
3 or 4 of the famous alpine passes The day started dry so I could really take in the views and roads.....

That night I camped at Silvaplana, again right by the lake, nice.....

Tuesday 19th July Day 5
Mulegns – Turtmann
4 more alpine passes Today started dry again but deteriated into torrential rain and overnight snow!

Wednesday 20th July Day 6
Turtmann – Pinerolo Italy
Because of the snow I took the main roads to Pinerollo. Once there I luckily discovered a track that bought me out at the top of the last climb of the day for the Tour de France.

Where I got a great vantage point to watch the race pass

Thursday 21st July Day 7
Pinerolo – Izord – Alpe-d’Huez camp site
Ride over to see the TDF climb the famous Izord then head over to Alpe-d’Huez campsite

At the top of the Izord I was able to get really close to the action!

Friday 22nd July Day 8
Alpe d’Huez
I rode up the side road of Alpe d'Huez then walked to a great vantage point at 'hairpin 16 to watch the race.

Saturday 23rd July Day 9
Alpe-d’Huez – Home, I was going to stop in northern France but I made such good progress I did the 800 miles in one hit!

A brilliant trip on a brilliant bike...........I hope you like my report and pictures

 

[rocky burns]

Alpe d heuz looks so different without snow. Looks like a good trip

 

[simondippenhall]

Great photos...was it hard to get close to the action?
regards
Simon

 

[Bigdave]

Thanks, it's not hard to get close however on the mountain stages the police do close the roads the evening before. A lot of people and hundreds of camper vans travel up the day before and wild camp.
I rode to the nearest point on the morning of the race and walked to the top!
8km to the Iszord and 5km to bend 16 of d'Huez.
However at Pinerollo I was lucky to find an off road track that bought me out right at the top of the climb.

 

[Shadwell]

Im quite jealous dave, i have followed every minute of the tour on the tv for the last 15 years but Jun/Jul seems to be the busiest time in work for what i do i never seem to get time off to travel.

I did get to paris to watch the finish a few years ago but the Alp is my favourite stage and i have never got there.

The whole trip looks fantastic, makes my trip in September seem ages away

 

[Shadwell]

great photos to, what camera are you using?

 

[Bigdave]

Hi Shadwell, the TDF was a great experience and like you it's taken me over 15 years to experience it live.

The fab route was down to Dazchellenge who unfortunately could not make the trip in the end.

Camera is a Nikon D90 with the kit lens mostly and a 300mm zoom. I am not an expert so took nearly all the shots on either full auto, panoramic, or action.

Cheers Dave

 

[Tricky]

Great pics and RR.