Cycling trip to see TdF finale.

Captain Havoc

Right, I know it's ages away but people have been putting ideas forward already, so I'm just gonna start the thread now so we can have a good think over it. I realise the thread will probably die by Monday and will be resurrected around Christmas.
Idea no. 1
Tour of Switzerland (and north Italy with a bit of Austria and France also).
It will take eight days and the highlight of the tour would be the Stelvio pass. I can also assure you of awesome scenery. We would need 10 people to go on this to cover the approximate €2,000 to get a back up van for the week. Trip would take eight days to cover 1,200kms. The route also goes through all four language regions of Switzerland. The route is difficult and I would plan on doing in June during the Tour de Suisse, a note of warning is that Switzerland is very hot in the summer.
Rough draft of the route.

Option 2.
Kilkenny to Moret-sur Loing
Sail to Roscoff, get in a little bit of Brittany and straight across, 600km in 5 days. Accommodation could be done for €25pp per night fairly easy. Cost of van about €1,500 or €0 for light touring but would probably require us to cycle to Cherbourg or take the train for €50. Would be a leisurely tour done over fairly flat terrain. This would be done the last week of the Tour de France, the idea being to head up to Paris to watch Cav grab another sprint. If the route crosses our path or close by, we could adjust the route (TdF route TBA in Oct). This would be more of a fun tour for the more experienced and a good chance to get introduced to multi-day touring for other people.Rough outline of route.

Anyone interested in coming let me know. Both the routes I've no doubt could be improved and hopefully with some input we'll have an awesome summer spin in 2013, they're by no means the only routes I want to go on, others have come up with some super routes and I'll let them explain. I think we'd want to know in November which route we're gonna plan in detail and by mid-January deposits will have to be paid, I know that's a long way away.

This will be my fourth year to do this, so I'm starting to get used to it now. If there's flaws in the plans, they'll get ironed out. I've so far raised €3,934 for the Susie Long Hospice fund doing this and I hope to keep going next year. My fund raising page for this year closes in two weeks, so if you're like, "oh yeah, meant to donate a fiver to him but never got around to it", do it now

ednwireland

would love to do that someday only one slight problem i'd need ten days

Roger Hassenforder

2 weeks in a mobile home with 3 screaming kids in the mist and rain and damp of kerry will be my lot. Again.
( Ye gods, how have I offended thee?)

wanderer 22

If the route was more option b than option a I'd be interested in throwing my hat in the ring for this

Ole Rodrigo

I'd be keen on option A

Carpenter

Option B looks nice

Captain Havoc

ednwireland wrote: »

would love to do that someday only one slight problem i'd need ten days

They should be doable by any experienced sportive rider. The raid was doable, despite what I thought before hand.

Roger Hassenforder wrote: »

2 weeks in a mobile home with 3 screaming kids in the mist and rain and damp of kerry will be my lot. Again.
( Ye gods, how have I offended thee?)

Could your wife and kids do back up crew? :pac:

colm18 wrote: »

If the route was more option b than option a I'd be interested in throwing my hat in the ring for this

It'll probably be option P by the time we formulate something. They're just my two ideas, I would like to hear others and get feedback.

RidleyRider

Going to keep my eye on this! What would the plan actually be?

The tax man

Now that's a climb I'd love to have a crack at someday.

Coronal

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Idea no. 1
Tour of Switzerland (and north Italy with a bit of Austria and France also).
It will take eight days and the highlight of the tour would be the Stelvio pass. I can also assure you of awesome scenery. We would need 10 people to go on this to cover the approximate €2,000 to get a back up van for the week. Trip would take eight days to cover 1,200kms. The route also goes through all four language regions of Switzerland. The route is difficult and I would plan on doing in June during the Tour de Suisse, a note of warning is that Switzerland is very hot in the summer.
Rough draft of the route.

I'm listening....

also:

Wikpedia wrote:

The Stelvio Pass (Italian: Passo dello Stelvio; German: Stilfser Joch), located in Italy, at 2757 m (9045 feet) is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, and the second highest in the Alps, slightly below the Col de l'Iseran (2770 m, 9088 feet).

Second highest? Piece of cake :P

Hermy

The tax man wrote: »

Now that's a climb I'd love to have a crack at someday.

It was one of the features on The Cycling Show on ITV4 tonight.

Captain Havoc

Steve Marquis wrote: »

Going to keep my eye on this! What would the plan actually be?

There is no plan, someone could suggest a route tomorrow that really gets people interested. I'll just organise what seems to be the best option. The main points are that it must be relatively cheap, I would hope that no one would spend more than €1,000 between flights, accommodation, food and support over the week (or so). If two people say they're interested then it will be a straight cycle out of Ireland, hop on a boat and off we go. If there's enough for us to offer a van man a free holiday, then even better. I would like people to do it for charity. Having everything booked six months in advance allows us to get accommodation fairly easy plus book flights and ferries cheaply enough.

Coronal wrote: »

I'm listening....

also:

Second highest? Piece of cake :P

Yeah, hopefully it won't take two days to get over this time :pac: I could alter the route to start in Lyon

coastwatch

I'd be up for another of the Captain's holiday trips next year. This years raid pyrenees was a real adventure, stunning scenery, great support, and great craic and you know you've had a good holiday when you need a couple days after to recover!
While is was tough at times, it was also very doable for the average cyclist, maybe somebody looking for a challenge beyond the W200 and the like. I propose more of the same for next year, another classic, the Raid Alpine, and just like this year's trip you get a medal and certificate too

Option 3: Raid Alpine - Lake Geneva to Nice - 740km, 16300m, 31 Cols, including the 2 highest (Col d'Iseran and Cime de la Bonette) 6 days.
Same logistics/ support as Option 1.

Captain Havoc

Medals are always a bonus.

Coronal

coastwatch wrote: »

Option 3: Raid Alpine - Lake Geneva to Nice - 740km, 16300m, 31 Cols, including the 2 highest (Col d'Iseran and Cime de la Bonette) 6 days.
Same logistics/ support as Option 1.

125 km (plus getting lost) and 2700 height meters a day. Jay. Sus.

Sounds awesome, when do we leave :P

The Noble Nudge

Hermy wrote: »

It was one of the features on The Cycling Show on ITV4 tonight.

Seen the program last night typical for me last in the series.
Sorry to go off thread whats the name of this climb and 10,000 people do it one day with the roads closed off?
Would love to do your cycle Captain Havoc but queen bee would trhow me out.

Hermy

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Sorry to go off thread whats the name of this climb and 10,000 people do it one day with the roads closed off?

It's the Stelvio in the Italian Alps.

Fatbiker

Hi Cap.

Route 2 appeals to me. Two questions; how doable is it for a fairly newbie cyclist currently riding a Trek hybrid but intending to clean up a Raleigh for touring? Second, what dates you planning to go? FB

Captain Havoc

Fatbiker wrote: »

Hi Cap.

Route 2 appeals to me. Two questions; how doable is it for a fairly newbie cyclist currently riding a Trek hybrid but intending to clean up a Raleigh for touring? Second, what dates you planning to go? FB

Very doable, I did my first tour after being in a club one year. Getting yourself in a club really brings you along. I think the key to touring is having an ability to get up everyday, which you need plenty of stamina but no speed for. If we go with route 2 it would be something like the 11th - 20th of July.

Fatbiker

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Very doable, I did my first tour after being in a club one year. Getting yourself in a club really brings you along. I think the key to touring is having an ability to get up everyday, which you need plenty of stamina but no speed for. If we go with route 2 it would be something like the 11th - 20th of July.

Yeah, should have copped the date from TDF reference. As a matter of interest, why that end point, Moret sur Loinge? Also, how do you propose to get back to Roscoff? FB

Captain Havoc

Fatbiker wrote: »

Yeah, should have copped the date from TDF reference. As a matter of interest, why that end point, Moret sur Loinge? Also, how do you propose to get back to Roscoff? FB

Moret-sur-Loing is Kilkenny's twin town. It's nice, a short hop from Paris. There's also a bicycle museum there and it's the birth place of René Pottier and the stick of rock. We would probably come back via Cherbourg or fly back if there were enough people to cover the cost of a van.

Here's some snaps from my previous visit:

Fatbiker

I would be very interested in option 2. However, I will not wear a Kilkenny jersey under any circumstances:D

If no.2 then we can work out practicalities later. FB

ROK ON

While the trip sounds appealing, I am not sure could I do something that required 10 days.

This year at the Raid was good craic. However I found the continual changing location a proper pain in the h0le.
Next year I think I will opt for a location that has many cycling options. A base so to speak.

Thinking seriously about Velopeletons gaff. Great location. Stupid number of routes nearby, and close to a town with bars restaurants etc. Seems to have it all.

ford2600

Velopeleton seems to be getting very popular, a gang from Youghal cc are heading there next May/June, was going to head there myself in May if possible, takes a lot of hassle out of it.
Did something similar in Alps this year, but accomodation wasn't set up for cyclists, but area was savage for cycling

ROK ON wrote: »

While the trip sounds appealing, I am not sure could I do something that required 10 days.

This year at the Raid was good craic. However I found the continual changing location a proper pain in the h0le.
Next year I think I will opt for a location that has many cycling options. A base so to speak.

Thinking seriously about Velopeletons gaff. Great location. Stupid number of routes nearby, and close to a town with bars restaurants etc. Seems to have it all.

wanderer 22

ROK ON wrote: »

While the trip sounds appealing, I am not sure could I do something that required 10 days.

This year at the Raid was good craic. However I found the continual changing location a proper pain in the h0le.
Next year I think I will opt for a location that has many cycling options. A base so to speak.

Thinking seriously about Velopeletons gaff. Great location. Stupid number of routes nearby, and close to a town with bars restaurants etc. Seems to have it all.

I'd agree with this, Of the 3 cycling holidays I've done, the two where we based ourselves in one place (Snowdonia this year) and did a different route each day were the best - coming back to a base and not having to worry about doing all your packing etc each evening is nice

thebouldwhacker

Kinda sounds like kenmare to me..... Your just spoilt

ROK ON

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

Kinda sounds like kenmare to me..... Your just spoilt

It always rains here, it only rains some of the time in the Pyrenees;)

Captain Havoc

I've heard nothing but good things about velopeloton so I think we can put it on the list of good ideas. Another bonus there would be if you happened to wake up dehydrated, weak and with a headache for no particular reason you could just sleep it off and go for a short spin in the afternoon

Super Freak

Interested in the trip if going to V.P.

Would suit me a lot better as I'm not the strongest of riders. It would give me the option to bail out and head for pints;)

manafana

id be up for VP i want to do Luiz Ardennes and the tourmalet from the other side, and as menitoned no unpacking or packing each day.

Ole Rodrigo

Velopeloton is a great idea. Packing each day is a chore, especially when there have been rehydration efforts the previous evening

Captain Havoc

I have another idea, follow the TdF route for a few days and then do the Etape du Tour. The idea is to fly to Lyon on Tuesday the 2nd of July. The itenary would be as follows

Stage 1. Wednesday 3rd July
Givors to Mont Ventoux + redescend to Vaison la Romaine 250km


Stage 2. Thursday 4th July
Vaison la Romaine to Gap 168km

(Skip the time-trial unless someone really wants to do it in the evening )

Stage 3. Friday 5th July
Gap to Alpe d'Huez and redescend to Bourg d'Oisans 180km


Stage 4. Saturday 6th July
Bourg d'Oisans to Le Grand Bornand 204km


Stage 5. Sunday 7th July - L'étape du tour.
Annecy to Annecy - Semonz 125km


Fly home from Geneva one or two days later. If we get 10 people there's room to get a back-up van.

I know getting accommodation is going to be difficult but we'll try and sort something out.

There could also be an option of a two week version but the first week being completely self-sufficient.

Stage 1 Thursday 27 June
Cherbourg to Fougères 170km

Stage 2 Friday 28 June
Fougères to Tours 218km

Stage 3 Saturday 29 June
Tours to Saint-Amand-Montrond

Stage 4 Sunday 30 June
Saint-Amand-Montrond to Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule 94km (not a tour route)

Stage 5 Monday 1st July
Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule to Lyon 191km

Stage 6 Tuesday 2nd July
Lyon to Givors 30km (not a tour route)

manafana

id level to opinions, following tour for more than one day will be tiring and accommodation difficult. The self sufficient is pain in arse.

On the etape, i dont think it would be for you its quiet frantic and the broomwagan sweeps up quiet a few riders.

Id be keen to go way mentioned of having a stable base. I'd give the alpes a go or return to pyrennes and do some of climbs i missed first time round.

Captain Havoc

manafana wrote: »

id level to opinions, following tour for more than one day will be tiring and accommodation difficult. The self sufficient is pain in arse.

On the etape, i dont think it would be for you its quiet frantic and the broomwagan sweeps up quiet a few riders.

Id be keen to go way mentioned of having a stable base. I'd give the alpes a go or return to pyrennes and do some of climbs i missed first time round.

It it won't be any more tiring than the raid, that's for sure and we're not following the tour only the route, so accommodation shouldn't be an issue except for the étape. Self sufficient is an option, one or two could cycle to Lyon with the rest flying over. There was an option for the raid to cycle down but no one was interested in that.

I know what you're saying but I am at my unfittest for a long time this year. I can step up to the plate for next year no problem.

I would encourage anyone to set up a base in the Pyrenées for the week, it's a fantastic area, I don't think I'll be doing it though. Perhaps contact Vélopeloton to set up something.

Captain Havoc

For a variety of reasons, I've decided that I'm gonna go to Paris for the last day of the TdF. The trip is to be ultra-light touring unless 10 or more decide to go, then we'll chip in for a car/van/camper. Once in Paris, people will have the option to fly home, start their cycle from there or complete the cycle in it's entirety. Accommodation will be of the budget variety and rooms will generally be shared.

The route and costs are as follows based on four people:
Sat July 13th: Ferry from Cork to Roscoff €157.
Sun July 14th: Roscoff to Saint Brieuc, 131km. Accommodation €15pp
Mon July 15th: Saint Brieuc to Avranches 132km. Accommodation €20pp
Tue July 16th: Avranches to Alencon 127km. Accommodation €40pp
Wed July 17th: Alencon to Chartres 123km. Accommodation €20pp
Thursday 18th: Chartres to Moret sur Loing 111km. Accommodation €16pp
Friday 19th July: sight seeing, cycling, area is nice, Fontainebleu is a ten minute cycle away. Accommodation €20
Saturday 20th July: Up to Paris, I recommend the train. Accommodation €35
Sunday 21st July: Watch tour. Accommodation €35
Monday 22nd: Fly home €120
Total Cost = around €500

or

Fly to Paris on Saturday + 2 nights accommodation = €270
Monday 22nd: Take RER to Cergy and cycle to Lisieux 151km, Accommodation €25
Tuesday 23rd: Lisieux to Sainte Mère Église 145km, Accommodation €30pp
Wednesday 24th July: Sainte Mère Église to Cherbourg 50km
Boat back home: €130pp
Total = €500

Total for entire 1,000km trip = €600ish.

Any deposits and expenses are to be paid by the end of January. Nothing including routes and prices are set in stone.

manafana

best luck with this one captain, im planning on the alpes in 2013, somehow sometime