A Seasoned Photographer Shares Some Tour de France Travel Tips

Miami-based photographer Alexander Aguiar traveled to France for the 2022 version of the Tour de France. He shares with us some of his favourite illustrations or photos, as properly as some journey ideas, and images dos and don’ts. Pro tip: Go with your mom (if your mom speaks French).

Bicycling: Was this your first time spectating the Tour de France?

Alexander Aguiar: In 2019, My mom and I went to the Tour de France. We experienced a ton of enjoyable, so there was an itch to go again (I have an itch for a 3rd time). It doesn’t harm that my mom is French. It was beneficial to lean on her for translations considering the fact that I don’t converse the language extremely perfectly. I’ve been to France other periods with my mother it is also nice to connect with my family’s heritage.

Bicycling: Have you photographed other bicycle races or just the Tour?

Aguiar: The 2019 Tour was my initial time photographing any variety of biking. I shot it on film, and I somewhat regret not shooting it on a electronic camera… which determined me to go again for a 2nd time. I really don’t shoot the races as well actually. I love biking and come across the Tour to be extraordinary, but I really do not know all the riders competing, I don’t know all the teams, and I don’t know all the stats or standings for just about every phase. As a substitute, I concentrate on embracing the celebration with an “outsider’s” issue of perspective (though I enjoy my CAAD13, I do not take into account myself a cycling purist).

Bicycling: When did you guide your trip? Where’d you stay?

Aguiar: We made the decision to go following the Tour’s route was released in Oct 2021. After we made a decision on the days/locations, we booked via AirBNB and websites like Accommodations.com. Having said that, it was not important to ebook lodges as early as we did. We experienced issues with cancellations and incorrect AirBNB listings. We were equipped to locate very same-night rooms.

Guide your auto and flights early. But for hotels, I counsel pre-scheduling the initially 2-3 nights of the journey and depart the relaxation up in the air. The initial bookings I made weren’t as practical as they could have been and added extra driving time on to already prolonged times. Issues will work out as long as you have a cellular phone that can search the web and make cell phone calls.

Story carries on

Bicycling: So you bought all around by car, not by bicycle?

Aguiar: We rented a car or truck at Charles De Gaulle airport when we arrived, and I would advise doing the similar. But it can make extra feeling to end the journey by having a prepare again to Paris and leaving the car or truck at the closest rental facility. We saved about 5 several hours of driving back to Paris by accomplishing that, which feels like a huge offer when you have been driving nonstop for 10 days.

From time to time you can park your motor vehicle directly on the street that the cyclists use for the race. If street closures are an difficulty, pencil in a couple of miles of going for walks. There have been a number of times where we logged 8-9 miles of strolling, but I imagine we walked additional than the typical enthusiast. Tour buses feel wonderful if you want to have the logistical operate taken out of the equation. I can see this becoming definitely worthwhile to larger people with small children.

Bicycling: What else would you do or not do, yet again?

Aguiar: I’d like to go with my possess bike or hire a bike that would be a match-changer. Several fans bring their personal bikes and journey the levels, which I had a greater appreciation for this yr. Apart from the great factor of sharing routes with the prime cyclists in the entire world, possessing a bicycle also can make it a whole lot much easier to get from your vehicle to a viewing place.

Pictures Lessons Aguiar Uncovered

Do’s

• Get friendly with the locals. They are practical with directions, viewing destinations, and parking in cities. Offer you them a portrait in trade.

• Carry a bike or lease one particular in France. A ton of admirers trip the routes before each individual stage formally begins, and they assist with acquiring to places when roadways are shut to automobiles or when parking is far.

• Stack up on baguettes, cheese, and meats for easy meals on the go. They are low cost, and tasty.

• Arrive early to places. That way you can meet other admirers, wander about towns, get in the surroundings, and get to assert your spot ahead of issues get crowded.

Don’t’s

• You should not count on almost everything to go effortlessly. Roadways will be closed unexpectedly, GPS and addresses may possibly be incorrect. You just have to go with the circulation.

• Really don’t skimp on international cell provider. You’ll want it for Google Maps, except you are properly versed in making use of actual maps.

• You should not neglect insurance policy for your car rental! My 1st TdF knowledge resulted in a dinged rental regardless of getting very careful with the automobile. Roads that are usually quiet are active.

• Don’t forget about to just take in some sights and just take time to web page see absent from the race.

• Don’t get there devoid of a language translator. You can use Google, a buddy (or mother) who is aware French, or brush up on your have French in advance of heading out

→ Much more Scenes from the July 2022 Tour de France

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