Touring Tuesday - Tour de France

The imposing Mont Ventoux

If you want to combine bicycle touring with watching pro cycling, there are tour operators who offer packages for major races like the Tour de France. One such company is Discover France Adventures. Before each stage begins, you can ride parts of the course, including famous climbs like Mont Ventoux or Alpe d'Huez. That should help you understand just how tough the Tour de France really is. After you cross the finish line, you can have your picture taken while standing on the podium. You'll have to bring along your own yellow jersey.

Here's a short (one minute, ten seconds) video that shows folks enjoying the ride: