Next year’s two Etapes du Tour have just been put up on their website. Here is what we are looking at:
Act One: Sunday, July 8th. Albertville – La Toussuire-Les Sybelles (Stage 11 of next year’s TdF)
The stage is, as the French translation says, ‘dense’ with mountains; similar to Act 1 in 2011. It is a relatively short stage, at 140 km, but will cross 4 Alpine passes (Glandon, Madeleine,Croix de Fer, Mollard) before a mountain finish at the ski resort of La Toussuire-Les Sybelles.
This is a map I made up based on the towns the Etape site lists along the route. It is probably very close to reality, but there could be some errors.
Act Two: Saturday, July 14th. Pau – Bagnères de Luchon (Stage 16 of next year’s TdF)
*Registrations for both Act One and Act Two start on November 17th at noon. Be quick, they get gobbled up quickly!
This is just me, sitting comfortably at my desk talking right now, but I’m thinking about doing an Etape Double in 2012. Anyone like to join me?
For more on the Etape go to my now-annual page.
The Vicious Cycle 
Hi. Can you see the distance for Acte 2?
Yep, 197 km. For more info on the stage (although not that much) you can check out the TdF site:
http://www.letour.fr/2012/TDF/COURSE/us/1600/etape_par_etape.html
I’m looking at Acte 1, and I find 140 km with over 4500m climbing is a good step up from this year.
Doing the second one, just a week later, seems out of my league.
Did you find that altitude gain on their site or just a calculation? That was my next little project, so thanks for doing it for me! ‘Gulp’ is all I have to say, if that’s true. It’s positively ‘Marmotte-esque’.
Your pictures of the lavender fields intriqued me, but this does not. Bon chance!
Thanks, Steve. It’s not everyone’s ‘tasse de thé’, that’s for sure. On the other hand, you might change your mind if you come over and give it a shot!
I hate it when a little thing like the Atlantic Ocean gets in the way of some good cycling fun. Either one looks good to me. Must be nice to participate in some epic events like these, especially when they’re in your back yard, so-to-speak. Enjoy the ride….Rob
One day we’ll get an Etape in together. Just don’t wait too long. Who knows how long the French will have me!
Yup, I’ll join you in the endevour – you ride it and I’ll read about it afterwards in your blog from the comfort of my armchair!
santé!
David
At least you’ll be involved, David. That’s what’s important!
Surprise, I’m with Rob about the Atlantic. Go for the double! But not me joining, I’ll stick with lots of distance, lots of climbing, and lots of slow cycling. Suze