Spectating at the TdF - any advice?

[Brianjeff50]

The missus and me have long promised ourselves a visit to watch some of the Tour, particularly a mountain stage. We’d be travelling by car and not taking bikes (she is no cyclist).

Obviously it gets monumentally crowded so I’d expect long walks and a lot of hanging around but I don’t want to dive in like a complete newby so any advice gratefully received. There may even be such things as organised trips - I’ve no idea.

[rjb]

Take a folding camping chair with you and suss out the location of nearby loos. We went to Paris in 2012 to watch Bradly lead out Cav on the Champs. Had to get in early to ensure a good spot.
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[TrevA]

Get there very early if driving. They close the roads to cars several hours before the race comes through. They will still let you through on a bike or walking until perhaps 2 hours before. It’s worth taking a small portable TV or something that you can watch the race on, if there’s a phone signal - phone or tablet.

Take plenty of snacks and drinks and some shade if it’s hot. It’s certainly worthwhile watching a mountain stage, as the riders are going slower and will be more spread out, perhaps 30-40 minutes between the leaders and the last group on the road, the grupetto.

[JohnI]

I've only seen one mountain stage. We were staying a few miles away from the route and were able to drive towards it and park up on the roadside and walk the rest. This was on the lower slopes of a climb though so it wasn't as busy or as difficult to get to, but it was the final climb of the day so the race was fragmented which meant we could spot our favourite riders. We knew the area already which helped a lot. Another year the route came right past where we had been staying, so we could have sat on the balcony and watched it, but it's in a valley so it wouldn't have been as interesting. So there are trade offs involved in where you stay and view the race.

[Morzedec]

Always seat yourself on the 'open' side of a bend, so that you can see the cyclists approaching - never on the inside, because you will see not much at all. Have plenty of food and drink with you.

Do not carry a cardboard sign saying "Hello Granny" or anything like that.