Did you attend the 2003 TDF?

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If you attended 2003 TDF, can you share how you handled your trip? I would like to sign up for a tour for 2004 TDF, to watch a few stages and cycle some. Are there tour companies you recommend? Or don't recommend? Thanks.

Originally posted by Winne
If you attended 2003 TDF, can you share how you handled your trip? I would like to sign up for a tour for 2004 TDF, to watch a few stages and cycle some. Are there tour companies you recommend? Or don't recommend? Thanks.

I attended the last ten days of the Tour with an Australian company called Bikestyles (http://www.bikestyletours.com). The group was very large, about 140 participants, but they had plenty of staff, including some former pros, and for the most part, it was very well managed. On the upside, such a large group meant you could always find riders who matched your ability or desire for a challenge. On the downside, that many riders can quickly become unweildy and the need for large motorcoaches to transport everybody, and their bikes, does limit the group's flexibility. During our travels, we saw plenty of other companies on the road, like Steve Bauer, Backroads, Butterfield & Robinson, Velosport Tours, Velo Echappe, Trek Tours, Sporting Tours; do a Google search and you'll find them all on the web. Expect a little sticker shock.

But, absolutely it's worth it! You won't see as much of the actual Tour as you would watching the live coverage on OLN; you have to stand for hours to catch a few moments' glimpse of the peleton whizzing past and space near the big screen at the ville arrivee is at a premium, but you won't get fresh paint on your tires from supporters' signs on the pavement or feel the energy of the crowds on Luz Ardiden sitting on your couch watching tv.

I watched the alpine stages this year & I did it just with a couple of mates, organising everything ourselves. The benefits of that were that it was much cheaper & very flexible.

Had a great time, we based ourselves just out of Grenoble then drove to within 60km of the biggest mtn of the day & then rode there - the only way to see the Tour & to get around the roadblocks! I met some others on the various mtns from tour groups - but I was more than happy with the individual approach - it was fun to plan everything yourself & not have to rely on others.

All the best.