Information on seeing the Tour de France in person, including the process I go through myself each year- figuring out the TdF route, finding places to stay, rental cars, trains & more.
This innocent little road takes you up the backside of the Col de la Charmette. The FUN side.This is the experience I seek out!
Details coming later today, but for now, suffice it to say we completed a ride that Kevin and I started 2 years ago, doing the infamous “other” side of the Col de la Charmette, up Route Forestiere. Many claims that the road isn’t for riding on anything but a mountain bike, but, if you’re willing to walk over just a couple of places where rocks might slice your tires, and probably walk through one dark tunnel as well (again, because sharp rocks might do a number on your tires), you could ride any road bike up it. Provided you have reasonably-low gears that is! And yes, parts of this are pretty steep, with kilometer sections averaging 10, 11 & 12 percent. You will be working! Thankfully, our Bike Fridays were up to the task, as usual.
Cool view maybe half-way up
The top half is completely closed to cars
The top is worth smiling about. It takes a lot of work to get here!
bGetting to France involves one of those endless travel “Days” that I used to dread but now recognize that they allow me to more-quickly recalibrate to the time change. It may actually be a good thing that I find it nearly-impossible to sleep on a plane because by the time I finally hit a bed, it doesn’t matter that it’s 2pm back home. I’m out.
Not much drama this time; United was on-time for the flight out of SFO and the connecting flight from Chicago. And CDG? My last few time through have been a breeze, with our bags coming through quickly, no lines at passport control even.
This is, literally, how we roll (through airports an on trains anyway)
Did have one issue with United though their in-flight magazine made wonderful promises about new food offerings in economy. Below you’ll see their ad and the reality. Yikes. Nobody at United has heard about under-promising and over-performing.
But getting to “France” is only half the battle. From the airport we take a TGV high-speed train to Lyon and then a super-short 14 minute transfer to a “local” train 14 minutes that became just six because our TGV was running a bit behind schedule (a rare thing in France). Somehow we made it, hauling our two suitcases (each) plus camera gear, navigating the super-busy Lyon station without incident.
Once on the “local” train (about 90 minutes) the effects of too many hours without sleep began to kick in. Almost got off the train a stop early after passing out (Most would say “falling asleep” but for me “losing consciousness” would be more appropriate), and waking up just in time to see a “Grenoble” sign at a train station! Yikes! Except that it was a sign saying trains on that platform were heading in the direction of Grenoble.
Next stop was Grenoble though, and two blocks from the train station is the address of the place we’re staying, but… It’s a non-descrip facade with no way to get in. No buzzer, no front desk. I find the phone number and paperwork and see that it asks that I call a day ahead with my arrival time so somebody can meet us and let us in. Thank goodness for Skype on my phone! We call and speak with the unit’s owner (this is an apartment) who arrives 30 minutes later, giving Kevin and I time to get something to eat in the meantime. It all worked out nicely; this is the best place we’ve stayed in France. Lots of room, full kitchen, even a clothes washer!
More shortly; everything above is from the Thursday that lasted into Friday. Today (Saturday) we got in our first bike ride. More on that soon! –Mike
This is what showed in United’s in-flight magazine- click for the details
And this is what showed up on my food tray
And the “Light Continental Breakfast” mentioned? You’re looking at it.
