The 100th Grande Boucle will run from June 29th to July 21st, 2013. Here are some details from the TdF site:
- 7 flat stages
- 5 hilly stages
- 6 mountain stages with 4 summit finishes
- 2 individual time trial stages
- 1 team time trial stage
- 2 rest days
Turns out that all the major rumors came true, so there will be a summit finish on Mont Ventoux, 2 ascents of Alpe d’Huez in the same stage, and a night-time finish on the Champs-Elysées (complete with firworks!). Other nifty additions for the 100th edition include a time trial around Mont Saint-Michel and a team time trial in Nice.
The Tour does a large, clock-wise circle of France, starting in Corsica, with the final week being a definitely-decisive few days in the Alps. I think the ASO have tried to make this tour a balanced affair, with not too many mountains (like the Giro and Vuelta tend to be doing these days), but also fewer kms of time trials. Mix that with a bunch of hilly stages and I’m sure the hope is for a Tour that will favor an all-rounder, rather than a time-trialist or climber.
If this gets your blood flowing and legs doing phantom peddle strokes, I hope you’ll excuse a little plug for a great 7-day Alps climbing tour I have planned for next summer. Why let the pros have all the fun!
The Vicious Cycle 
Oh noooo! It’s miles away again. Caiti is about to submit her application to be a hostess on the tour and throw free samples at people. Fingers crossed.
Good for her! Yes, you won’t have it near you again. Not too far to travel to if you have the motivation, though, I guess.
Now that is an impressive course. Have to admit that I enjoy reading this route knowing we’ll be riding the same hills a few weeks later.
I hear you, Aaron.
I do love firworks [ sic ] 😉 I’m looking forward to a great TdF. And L’Etape sounds great with it being a loop rather than some huge distance between start and finish locations.
Jules, I agree. Thinking about doing the Etape if I can work it in the schedule.
Hello Gerry. Have you seen the Act 1 etape route for next year ? it certainly makes cycling back to the start to pick up your car after the race a lot easier than it was in 2011.
Haven’t see the route on a map yet, but yeah, I’m sure they made the race this course for that very reason. The A to B was really a drag for a lot of people.
Certainly a spectacular tour, and that’s by the Tour’s high standard. Too many sleeps!
Another great route, I agree James. Looks like it’ll be coming right by my place in the first week, too, which is a nice bonus.
How fantastic. That should be some carnival. By the way, inspired by the Haute Route I managed to double my training this month getting in 1000km and 16,000m and my average speed is increasing on each big ride. So thanks. It makes a big difference having something exciting to aim for.
I like it. I’m the one doing the Haute Route and you are doing the training! I don’t even want to look at my mileage this month, since I’ve been in Canada (and off the bike) for the last 3 weekends. Summer is coming for you…happy training!