Is the Étape du Tour Worth It?

Short answer: Yes, if you train properly, plan the logistics early, and go in expecting the day you actually get, not the brochure day. No, if you want a calm, tidy day out. You don’t need to boycott it, but you should enter with your eyes open.

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Why are some riders telling people to stop entering?

A French coach, Mon Coach Vélo, argued the Étape isn’t made for 99% of cyclists and gave four reasons to stop entering. His video drew thousands of agreeing viewers: [LINK TO HIS VIDEO]. I think he’s right about some of it, unfair about some, and misses one thing completely.

Is the Étape du Tour too hard?

It’s hard, but the route is published months ahead, nobody forces you to enter, and riders who prepare finish. The Étape changes every year, so you can’t judge it by the route profile. You judge it by the day you get.

I call the best case the brochure day: sun, dry roads and a tidy bunch of happy riders. It’s rarely what you get. At the 2014 Étape (Pau to Hautacam, over the Tourmalet), the weather was horrendous. Riders at the top of the Tourmalet were handed space blankets, and hypothermia was a real problem.

What to do: train for the route, then pack for the worst day that mountain can give you.

Are the Étape du Tour logistics really that bad?

This is where the critics have the strongest case. The main problems riders report:

  • Beds: entries open within weeks of the route reveal, and affordable rooms go fast.
  • Collecting your number the day before, when you should have your feet up.
  • Start pens: thousands of riders and few toilets.
  • The finish: roads are closed, and in a mountain valley there may be only one way down. Some riders waited hours. In other years, riders reported a separate lane with no wait. It depends on the edition.
  • Feed stations: riders in later pens reported little left to eat. Riders in early pens said they were fine.

What to do:

  1. Book accommodation the week your entry is confirmed, or stay 15 km out and ride in.
  2. Collect your number early, then rest.
  3. Carry all your own food and treat feed stations as water and a backup.
  4. Carry your own spares.
  5. Plan your way home before you leave the start, and download the route back as a GPX file.

Is the Étape du Tour entry fee too expensive?

The fee is high for a sportive. It buys closed roads, police at junctions, medical cover, timing and the Tour de France name, which few other French sportives offer at this scale. The finish is thin for the money, though.

For most riders the fee isn’t the main cost. Travel, a bed and food cost several times more. If you can get a place directly, take it and book the rest yourself. If you buy a package, check exactly what it includes (bed, nights, transfers) so you don’t overpay for things you could book yourself.

Is it worth it if you’re flying in?

Flying in adds extra planning:

  • Work out how you get from the finish to your bed before you book anything.
  • Don’t count on a car you don’t have.
  • Book transfers with slack, because shuttles can run late, and plan nothing tight that night.
  • Build and test your bike a few days early, or ride a hire bike before the day.
  • Carry shoes, helmet and tested food in hand luggage.
  • Book flights once your place is confirmed, and flexible if possible.
  • Arrive a couple of days early.

Who should enter the Étape du Tour?

Enter if:

  • You’ve done big mountain days and still felt human at the end.
  • You can commit to months of training and have prepared for heat, cold and rain.
  • Closed roads and the atmosphere are worth the hassle to you.

Skip it if:

  • You hate crowds, can’t train properly, or want a calm, tidy day.

Can you ride the Étape route on your own instead?

Yes, but check that the high passes are open, because they’re often shut for months. Ride the day before the event or on a date you choose, and plan water, food, weather and the way home. Mark every water point and bakery, and note where you can bail out. You give up the closed roads, the crowds and the help if something goes wrong.

Verdict: should you boycott the Étape du Tour?

No. Enter with your eyes open, and ready for the day you actually get.

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FAQ

Is the Étape du Tour only for strong cyclists?
It is for well-prepared cyclists. Riders who train for the route, the weather and the distance generally finish.

When do Étape du Tour entries sell out?
Commenters report entries selling out within minutes, so create your account and be ready before registration opens.

Should I book a package or enter directly?
Enter directly if you can, then book the rest yourself. A package is easier but costs more, so check what it includes.

What should I pack for the Étape du Tour?
Pack for the worst weather the mountain can produce, plus your own food and spares.