France 2012: Start Planning Now! (Free Downloads Inside)
The 2012 Tour de France ® and Etape du Tour ® have been announced, and it is looking a cracker of a Tour and just as importantly Etapes du Tour 2012.
I'll have a range of posts coming up in the next couple of months that'll help you plan, however, it's important you start thinking about your trip now.
Probably the best place to start learning is the multi part series, VeloNomad's How to Plan a Cycling Trip to France.
Free Itinerary Downloads
To help you form a rough itinerary, download my 2009, 2010 and 2011 itineraries. These prove invaluable to me in helping clarify where I want to go and see, transit plans between towns, and where to be, when.
I always print off multiple copies and take them with me and end up endlessly consulting them.
You can read more about my planning methodology by checking out my 2010 Case Study and 2011 Case Study.
Some More Things to Think About
Here are some more things that may help clarify your intentions.
- Car versus camper? What is going to suit your trip better, there are definite pros and cons to both. Read this post to see if VeloNomad can help you determine whether to hire a car or campervan.
- Travel around, or stay in one place?
- Do you need excess baggage?
- Travel agents, or booking direct?
Help with Planning Your Trip
I hope this helps your planning. If you need help planning your trip, don't forget the VeloNomad Cycling Trip Concierge service. The VeloNomad resource page is also now up, and is a work in progress. It provides a great launching pad for loads of great content.
You can also check out the Cycling Through France Guide to help you in your planning.
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