As I'll be in Tuscany while the Giro will rider trough, I wanted to go and see it live for once.
We've decided to go to Stage 9 towards Abetone (not sure where exactly yet).
It'll be my first visit of a race (except for a flat stage of the tour de suisse about 15 years ago as a kid...) and I was wondering if I could get some tips to make it a good trip.
Mostly I was wondering about the following:
- How should we get there? Should we drive up there with our car or better walk up? (I'm lazy, and I won't have a bike).
- What time do you suggest getting there?
- As I'll go with my wife who's not into cycling - any tips to pass the time and make it fun for her too?
- Would you recommend going to the finish or looking for a spot on the ascent?
Generally just have fun. It's a great event to see cyclists live, however it's a pretty short delight. You'll see Contador & Co. just for a brief seconds. Generally, you should look for a spot that's comfortable for you and maybe where you can see the riders multiple times (serpentines eg). I'm unfortunately not familiar with this climb. Maybe a mountain dictionary like Stromeon knows more
The best way to get up a mountain is always by bike. Next in line is hiking. Actually since your wife isn't into cycling, a hike up might be good for her to enjoy and get into the whole atmosphere. Italians are crazy for this sport, it's hard not to get dragged into it actually. Cardgames or Beer are an option to pass time for her, whatever she prefers. Also, when you bring some food to eat up there, you usually already kill half the waiting time. To start in the morning and hike up a mountain is a good activity in any holiday (I personally am pretty convinced tand have made the experience hat hiking & relationships good very well together). Don't forget water.
Time isn't so important. Check up on Steephill when they likely arrive. Plan to be there 1-2 hours earlier incl. pauses. You don't need to see the cyclingtross (+ if you hike you'll catch it anyway). If you want to see the finish, you likely won't have a chance without car anyway, but I'd recommend about 2-5 kilometers from the finish. It's usually where some good action happens.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
I try and go to at least one Pyrenees stage a year, so hopefully I can help.
My personal preference is to arrive the night before, stay in a hotel, soak up the atmosphere as there are always a lot of people staying in the hotels, camping or with their camping cars. The night before is buzzing, restaurants and bars are opened until quite late and you are already there, so you can get a decent night of sleep and not have to wake up too early.
As this climb seems to be the summit finish, I would still recommend getting there early, in order to get a good place. The last climb is where the action happens so more people go there.
Once again, I would recommend walking up early in order to get a good place. As Shonak says, try and find a spot where you can get to see the riders a few times because you won't see them for very long, so you need to make the most of it. Serpentines or a high vantage point so you can see riders coming early and then past you. The closer you are to the finish, the better it is as well as you are more likely to see some actions and lots of small groups of riders so it makes the whole thing more enjoyable. If you are at the bottom of the climb, there is still a big(ish) bunch so you feel as if you haven't seen as much as you could.
If you are driving to the climb, you will need to get there extra early as they will usually close the roads very early (in the Pyrenees, it's not uncommon that they close the climb or any adjacent roads for cars at about 9 or 10am). If there is a town or a ski resort near the climb, get there early to park the car. As it's a mountain, there is usually only one way in and one way out, so it can get very busy the later you get there.
If the weather permits it, I would suggest walking up. It's always nice as you get a nice view of the mountains, there are a lot of people hiking, cycling up and there is a good atmosphere. Remember to bring food and drinks as there is no restaurants or food trucks in the mountains.
Also, once the race is finished, everyone leaves at the same time and as I explained before, there is usually only one road in and one road out, so you can wait for ages to actually get out of the resort, village etc... So I also recommend to stay in a hotel for a second night so you can let the majority of people leave the town. I had to leave a resort a few years back as we were flying back the day after and we didn't hit a main road until 11pm!!!
As for things to do while you are there, well it's quite difficult, it depends what you are your girlfriend are into. I usually go with a group of friends, so we have a few drinks, play some drinking games, bring some cards of some games that you can carry and play while you are outside. If you are walking, you could start the climb early, and walk as much as possible, taking breaks etc... to get as high up as possible. This will kill a bit of time. Also, remember to bring a rain jacket etc.. as the weather can change quite quickly in the mountain.
I hope I am not making it sound daunting. It is great fun once you are there. There are lots of people from different nationalities around you, so you can start conversations with lots of people and that as well passes time. It's not uncommon to end up having a picnic with a group of strangers, check if you can see other couples around you and start a conversation with them.
I have been with my girlfriend a few times too and she hates cycling, but she really enjoys going to the mountain stages as we always have fun, have a few drink, a laugh etc... Basically once you are there, just do what you two normally enjoy doing, you are just doing it while you wait for some bikes to arrive!!
Edit: Sorry, I didn't realise I was writing an entire book!!!
Edited by gargatouf on 30-03-2015 10:44
Great advice here.
I think the best way would be to get a hotel there for two nights. That way we can have some drinks and have some (more) fun.
Will be checking out the climb beforehand and see if there are any serpentines or spots where you can see further down the roads.
Ok, this is kinda odd. I need a thread like this right now and this one was created 3 days ago.
So, it happens that some months ago I moved to Belgium (Wallonie) and I'm willing to take the chance to see P-R and RVV live (and LBL, but LBL is half an hour from where I live). The thing is: which one to choose and what are the most recommended places to see the races? I'd like to go to the Arenberg Forest, but I'm afraid that it is a bit too far from the end of the race and that it will be too crowded. However, it's that mythical place that I don't want to die without visiting.
Does somebody have some tips for watching these races live (for the hilly classics as well)? Edited by MarcoPRT on 31-03-2015 13:18
