Etape 2012 Rumours – Les Deux Etapes Again!
We're getting close to the Tour de France and Etape announcement dates and there are some interesting Etape 2012 rumours starting to circulate in line with the TDF itinerary.
I originally heard from a well-placed source that one of the Etapes would be in the north of France on the cobblestones.
However, the latest rumours I have seen reckon that there will again be 2 Etapes; one in the Alpes and one in the Pyrenees.
Etape Alpes 2012
There is speculation this will be the first week of the Tour de France, and use the Tour de France's Stage 11 from Albertville to Fontcouverte-la-Toussuire. This opens the riders up to some fairly phenomenal riding: Col du Madeleine and Col de Croix de Fer immediately spring to mind.
There is some amazing riding in the area though, so this will depend on the exact route.
Les Grands Cols
Etape Pyrenees 2012
I'm pretty excited about the early rumours on Etape Pyrenees. It looks like this will use the Tour de France's Stage 16 covering the Tourmalet, the Aubisque and the Col du Marie Blanque and a finish atop the Col de la Pierre St Martin on the French/Spanish border.
I've climbed all these mountains – the first three as part of Etape 2010 (read my Etape 2010 report) and the Col de la Pierre St Martin on my 2010 trip.
The Pierre St Martin is very tough from the French side but a bit easier from the Spanish side.
The Atlantic Pyrenees is very pretty but you won't have time to enjoy it if this is the course. There will be 4 very, very serious climbs – 3 HCs and a Cat 1.
Which to Do?
If I had to choose, I'd do the Pyrenean Etape, no question. It's going to be epic.
The weather will be absolutely awesome at that time of year in the Pyrenees and possibly the Alpes though it'll be a crap shoot in both – you could get snow in the Alpes and relentless rain in the Pyrenees.
If I had to choose, I'd go with the Pyrenees, or, enter both.
You can read about my Pyreneean experiences:
- Col du Marie Blanque and the Aubisque – 2010
- 2010 Tour de France Stage 16 (Tourmalet)
- 2011s Plateau de Beille Stage 14
Planning for Etape 2012 Now
I'll be deconstructing the Etape 2012 itineraries and creating an ebook like I did for the 2011 Etapes to help you plan your Etape 2012 trip as soon as the Etape 2012 routes are announced.
Until then (guide should be ready end October), you can:
- Start Training for Etape
- Start planning to Tackle Etape
- Start planning to Cycle through France
For those of you with little of no fitness, and who want to head to France in 2012, I'll be running private training camps in the Byron Bay hinterland from January. If you want to come up and hit the hills in the heat, AND have some awesome weather and food and coffee, get in touch with me. It's a perfect area for you and your mates (with or without wives/girlfriends/husbands) to train and enjoy some awesome food.
Planning for the Pyrenees
If the Pyrenees is your thing, you can get my Cycling in the Atlantic Pyrenees Guide and start planning you trip to the Pyrenees right away.
I've catalogued a great place to stay (awesome place in Aramits), and great places to eat (Pau, Pizza in Oloron St Marie)
Other Useful Guides
In addition to the guides above, the Cycling Through France Guide and CTF Mini Logistics Guide provide a lot of useful information and shortcuts that will save you money, time and hassle in your planning.
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Tim, I’m with you. I’ll be doing the one in the Pyrenees for sure, if it’s on the agenda. Who knows, if I’m feeling feisty when the announcement is made I might shoot for both. Considering the logistical nightmare that either will be though, I might save some stress and go for just one.
.-= Gerry´s last blog ..Me and Rapha – Tragically Hip =-.
I agree Gerry, but I think both are doable. I’ll enter both but not sure if I’ll get there. Looks like the route will be:
Albertville – La Toussuire: 140km and more of 4500m @ D+ (Madeleine, Croix de Fer via the Glandon, la toussuire) – 10 July
Luchon – Peyragudes : 144km and more of 4500m @ D+ (Col du Portillon, Menté, Ares, Port de Balès, Peyresourde, Peyragudes) – 15 July
Doing both is doable!
Well, it wasn’t Luchon – Peyragudes afterall, AND the dates weren’t what I expected. I’ll give Act 2 a go for sure and I’ll see what kind of courage I can gather together before November and possibly do sign up for Act 1 as well. Maybe I’ll get drunk before registering. That usually helps.
.-= Gerry´s last blog ..2012 Etape du Tour Announced =-.
Gerry, it looks AWESOME. Not sure if I will make it, but will enter Pyrenees just in case. Have a bucket load of Qantas FF points to use but depends how things go on the new farm. The Etape 2012 info page is up! http://www.velonomad.com/etape-du-tour-2012-information/
I’m looking forward to your logistics guide, Tim. You could make a million bucks if you figured out a way to make it easy, I can tell you that! I’m already getting requests for logistics help (actual physical help) over here…a new biz idea…?
.-= Gerry´s last blog ..2012 Etape du Tour Announced =-.
Gerry, in time, it would be awesome to have a place there for a few months of the year. Might be a great idea for you though, and wouldn’t be hard to set up…