Things I loved - You got parked together, the excitement you both had, the decorated vans, Mandy’s flag cape, the matching T-shirts, the pretty villages and getting to see the cyclists. Good filming John and pity about the rain, getting soaked and not getting to use your best cameras.
its on my bucket list John. 1, go to France and 2 -watch the TdF. Before covid I was staying at a mate's in Yorkshire when the had a TdF stage. It was brilliant to watch. I appreciate the care you put into these videos to inform us and show new things. Best regards- Kenny
Hi John we would never do this, follow a cycle race, but you have helped us understand the excitement that you get watching it 😃 it’s been great watching your racing vlogs ( we like watching all your vlogs), can wait to see more 😊
Brilliant John. Please keep the Tour de France videos coming. Found your channel because I'm interested in doing a van conversion but you've taken me back to my 20's when I used to follow the Tour around some incredible places in France... Parking up in great spots each day to see the action. It really builds up for hours before the riders. The Tour is the greatest annual sporting event. Thanks for making me want to visit again! 😂
Hi John, I am really looking forward to following your journey, whatever you choose to vlog. Please don’t listen to the negative people, you make incredibly interesting and so much better than the tv vlogs. I have been following you both for a very long time now and I would hate to loose you and your amazing vlogs. I have a channel, I have been posting vlogs for over a year, I only have 110 very valued followers but it’s wonderful to have them along to share because they all seem to be lovely people. Don’t let the misery guts beat you. Thank you x
Loving your tour videos, and the info on the App you are using was great. I have only caught bit's and pieces from this years tour with getting ready to come home. Matt and I will be going next year to follow it and the info is really helpful for us. Loved it when you and Mandy got that park right next to road. It looked like great fun.
Followed the tour when it went through yorkshire a few years ago and doing the same in france is on the B list. Ignore the detractors, keep the tdf vids coming, very interesting.
Hi John. Wanted to comment on your last video. Can only repeat other comments, please keep the videos coming. Genuine content makers are getting hard to find. The single most important life lesson I would give to anyone is to remain true to yourself and ignore the ignorant others who think they have a right to tell others how to live.
Love the vlog John, brings a completely different perspective to following the tour on the tv every year. Thanks for this on the apps that you use I will put that one in the bag for the future when I have ditched the daily grind and are free to follow my dreams. Keep them coming really great to watch.
Loving these videos, would never have thought of following the tag but now put that on my bucket list to visit one year. Love the hints and tips on parking etc, thank you for your detailed content, look forward to next🤩
Loved the ‘float’ vehicles some of those were epic - nice you both got parked together and the police were ok. Something a bit different, not what I was expecting to see. Shame about the rain. Nice to see the cyclists too. All the best, David & Rachel 👍
I'm avidly following the TdF on ITV4. That's great for following the racing, team strategy etc. but present little of the FEEL of being at the TdF in France. So thank you John (and Mandy) for giving that to me. Oh how I wish I were there too...
Interesting. So many people say that following the TDF is super-difficult and stressful; that you need to be parked up days before …. I suppose the big mountain stages are like that, but otherwise it looks like something I would try one year. So exciting seeing the riders so close.
That was a brilliant day. From Mandy saying where abouts you were to the anticipation of hoping to see you Both. Fabulous video John. Can't be easy finding the perfect spot cuz of so many other people doing the same. But the atmosphere is so so worth it. Keep Loving the Le Tour
Hi John, just to say I loved your video . The scenery was amazing I can see why you go to the Tour de France . Just keep on doing the things that make you happy as we all enjoy seeing what you put out for us. Take care, see you soon
Well, I would never watch TDF, but got to admit that was far more intresting than I expected and you did all the hard work, so I could drink coffee and watch, thanks very much !
John, Your having way too much fun. Thank you both for sharing the behind the scenes of a) locatation , locatation , locatation b) Where to stick a sneeky camera on top of the sign on that corner c) Cheap snacks and fuel in Spain d) Being with Mandy too - Union Jack Flag as superhero cape. Take care and drive safe in France
Great video John, we love the TDF. Thanks for sharing your experience and please continue doing what you do best. There will always be hater’s it seems to be the way of the world nowadays.
Great video, John. I watch all your video's and Mandys as I like to see how you're both doing. We also travel full time, currently in Ypres then off to Luxembourg. Best wishes to you both.
Excellent video that captured the essence of the Tour excitement with the colourful advertising vehicles preceding the riders. Multiple cameras certainly helped capture the action. No doubt the Tour route will take you to many locations that you would not have otherwise chosen but that necessary discipline will introduce you to rural parts of France that very few people see. At the end of the day you will have completed your own Tour de France.
Back in the 90s following the tour was so different. No GPS or apps or anything online to follow where the race was or the online coverage of the race. The tour caravan used to throw out printed maps of the route and then we'd have to use paper maps to find a point in the route. Then follow the arrows the find a great spot. It was always a race to get to a spot before the roads were closed many hours before the caravan came through. Alpe D'huez was always the best. After the race went by we'd have to find a village with a bar showing the race to find out what was happening So many great apps and info these days to follow the race. Looking forward to today's stage in the pyrenees and your next vid 👍
Enjoyed that - only thing with TDF is how fast its over when you put so much effort in. i watched it in UK in places i know and it was a pain getting around. Be cool in France though seeing new places all the time. When i was at school i won 2nd prize on a comp to go on the Milk Race which we had many moons ago (1st rise was a racer) - i was in one of the cars. Loved that - had a great day around my part of the world. Think it was leeds to bradford stage and took in holme moss etc. They flew down there about 70mph. We had to do some time checks on the riders. I was only about 13 but still remember it now. Hope you enjoy more fun stages.
Right so first things first…. Not keen on the tour/bikes as a subject to watch ….. and haven’t watched any other ones because of that…. HOWEVER how wrong was I … because I had missed the point of “it’s John and bikes” which I love❤. So the video totally surprised me as I loved watching a subject I thought I didn’t like…. 😂 ❤
That looked great fun - and lucky the rain held off as they all passed. Was amazed at the level of detail of the route you were able to download - and interesting to see how that all helps to pick your viewing points. By stark comparison, I was on holiday in Brittany decades ago - shopping in a tiny village when suddenly the whole shebang swept through. We had no idea it was even in the area... but it was an awesome experience. Anyway it looks like you have got this van trip pretty well sorted - watching the TdF live, fantastic scenery, and snacking on beer, crisps and donuts...😄 Am looking forward to the next stage already. Have fun 👍
Top video John, and thanks for the tip on picking your spot, great if you're actually riding the route as well. It's fascinating seeing how much time they spend ahead of the race closing off roads miles away, seemingly sometimes just to stop folk finding a spot, but they have had some serious injuries over the last few years so the security has been tightened up in lots of the big tours. They've closed off a fair bit around the Puy De-Dome, and the big Aire and carparks are closed to vans completely and that's 4 days ahead of the stage 9, and the last 4k up the dome is closed to spectators on race day as well due to the narrowness of the road. Loving the videos John, hope you can find the energy to keep going. 👋🇨🇵
Love it that you explained how you find where to park. I'm hoping that next year I can watch some of TdF and just yesterday was on Google maps "practicing" a parking search. lol I'm on android so going to head off looking for an equivalent app now... Thank you! 😊
Fully entertaining video wether you like cycling or not. Really don’t get how people can complain ! Just do your thing John and don’t give the moaners the time of day. Having said that it’s good that you can talk about how you feel when you get pissed off. Enjoy the rest of the tour and keep showing us your journey. Cheers buddy.
Thanks, I know it might seem whingy but I've always said my videos will be honest and that means most of the time it's entertaining watching what I get up to, but then sometimes it's not so good and it's only fair that gets talked about too. I'd hate to think someone sold their house to live in a van because I made it look amazing every day.
Great informative video John 👍. Glad I upgraded my Mirider brakes to the phneumatic, just need to watch out for potholes when going downhill fast. Looks like the roads you are on are very good compared to back home. Lol
Keep making the videos you love, shame you felt the need to make the last one, and this was perhaps delayed because of it. Coming from a very keen cyclist, I love your passion for it 👊
Enjoyed the video John..I envy your knowledge of computers etc.. takes me all my time to work a calculator. Roll on stage 3 of the race.. Hope weather is a bit kinder for it.. Take care ❤❤
Love watching your enthusiasm for the tour. I never realised how big it is. To have the sponsors vehicles come through first makes sense I supposed as they give out the product to be displayed. One thing unrelated. I noticed a brick behind Mandy’s right rear wheel at your park up. Dodgy handbrake or just belt and braces?
The routes change each year, so although I save the parkup locations they’re not used unless a future Tdf might come close to that spot. There are no drone restrictions, aside from not flying when the Tdf aircraft are around, but I don’t fly my drone if it’s raining.
Hiya John. Hope you're enjoying following the Tour as much as we enjoy your vlogs. Keep up the good work 👍 On a different note would you mind telling me which model of Stetson cap you have please? Cheers
Bligh me, tried to spot you and Mandy but missed it apparently. Now at 14:02 with 111 km to go second chance:-)) I never put a thought into do this but hopefully I can give it a try next year. Wish you lots of fun and good shootings 👍👍
Hi John great tdf videos. Have you ever thought of following some stages of La Vuelta Espana or do you think it would be too difficult with police restrictions?
Wear gloves! I can ride a bike without a helmet but can’t get on one without gloves after having a bike slide out from under me on a loose surface when I was about ten and automatically putting a hand down. A few years back a friend who was having radiotherapy at the Christy hospital in Manchester after surgery asked me to do the annual naked bike ride and shoot video for her and the other ladies getting over breast cancer and I couldn’t get on my bike without gloves. I don’t think I’ve ever been so terrified of something in my life but I had a choice, unlike the patients in the hospital, so went off to make a fool of myself. The good news is she’s still in the clear.
I love 99% of your and Mandy’s videos, and if there is one that doesn’t take my fancy I simply switch it off. I’m hoping you decide to continue making videos of whatever takes your fancy…
Think I spotted the vans on ITV4 helicopter coverage around 81km to go. Your van, solar panels and something orange on the roof. Didn’t manage to spot you today though.
I did have a dream of following the mountain stages of TdF, but as I haven`t bothered to follow my local international race, the Arctic race of Norway, I guess my interest isn`t as it should be. It seems to stressful to follow TdF. Thanks for your video.
Things I loved - You got parked together, the excitement you both had, the decorated vans, Mandy’s flag cape, the matching T-shirts, the pretty villages and getting to see the cyclists. Good filming John and pity about the rain, getting soaked and not getting to use your best cameras.
its on my bucket list John. 1, go to France and 2 -watch the TdF. Before covid I was staying at a mate's in Yorkshire when the had a TdF stage. It was brilliant to watch. I appreciate the care you put into these videos to inform us and show new things. Best regards- Kenny
Good to see you more upbeat today John, still don’t like cycling but entertaining as always…well done chum !
My thoughts exactly!
I’m REALLY enjoying the TDF series so far John. Great viewing!! Thank you again.
Hi John we would never do this, follow a cycle race, but you have helped us understand the excitement that you get watching it 😃 it’s been great watching your racing vlogs ( we like watching all your vlogs), can wait to see more 😊
Brilliant John. Please keep the Tour de France videos coming. Found your channel because I'm interested in doing a van conversion but you've taken me back to my 20's when I used to follow the Tour around some incredible places in France... Parking up in great spots each day to see the action. It really builds up for hours before the riders. The Tour is the greatest annual sporting event. Thanks for making me want to visit again! 😂
Thanks for this John. You have really captured what its like to be at the roadside at the TdF, far more than the TV cameras ever do!
Perfect viewing from New Zealand! Love the enthusiasm, technical bits and how clever your filming is.
Hi John, I am really looking forward to following your journey, whatever you choose to vlog. Please don’t listen to the negative people, you make incredibly interesting and so much better than the tv vlogs. I have been following you both for a very long time now and I would hate to loose you and your amazing vlogs. I have a channel, I have been posting vlogs for over a year, I only have 110 very valued followers but it’s wonderful to have them along to share because they all seem to be lovely people. Don’t let the misery guts beat you. Thank you x
Loving your tour videos, and the info on the App you are using was great. I have only caught bit's and pieces from this years tour with getting ready to come home. Matt and I will be going next year to follow it and the info is really helpful for us. Loved it when you and Mandy got that park right next to road. It looked like great fun.
Followed the tour when it went through yorkshire a few years ago and doing the same in france is on the B list. Ignore the detractors, keep the tdf vids coming, very interesting.
I did it your way, via channel! Keep the videos coming John!
😅 me too
Thank you both ❤️
Hi John. Wanted to comment on your last video. Can only repeat other comments, please keep the videos coming. Genuine content makers are getting hard to find. The single most important life lesson I would give to anyone is to remain true to yourself and ignore the ignorant others who think they have a right to tell others how to live.
Love the vlog John, brings a completely different perspective to following the tour on the tv every year. Thanks for this on the apps that you use I will put that one in the bag for the future when I have ditched the daily grind and are free to follow my dreams. Keep them coming really great to watch.
Chapeau guys, chapeau.
Great video John and Mandy, I’m catching your enthusiasm daily!
Brilliant…I could feel the excitement..I keep looking for you guys, not spotted you yet, but there’s plenty of time. Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks John, I’m really enjoying all your 2023 TDF videos and of course seeing you cycle some of the routes on the mighty Mirider :)
Loving these videos, would never have thought of following the tag but now put that on my bucket list to visit one year. Love the hints and tips on parking etc, thank you for your detailed content, look forward to next🤩
Great video john, keep them coming
Good to see you having such a good time.
Loved the ‘float’ vehicles some of those were epic - nice you both got parked together and the police were ok. Something a bit different, not what I was expecting to see. Shame about the rain. Nice to see the cyclists too.
All the best, David & Rachel 👍
I'm avidly following the TdF on ITV4. That's great for following the racing, team strategy etc. but present little of the FEEL of being at the TdF in France. So thank you John (and Mandy) for giving that to me. Oh how I wish I were there too...
Loving your tdf coverage from New Zealand
Very interesting John, thanks ✌️😊
Interesting. So many people say that following the TDF is super-difficult and stressful; that you need to be parked up days before …. I suppose the big mountain stages are like that, but otherwise it looks like something I would try one year. So exciting seeing the riders so close.
That was a brilliant day. From Mandy saying where abouts you were to the anticipation of hoping to see you Both. Fabulous video John. Can't be easy finding the perfect spot cuz of so many other people doing the same. But the atmosphere is so so worth it. Keep Loving the Le Tour
Fun to watch you guys and the race
Thanks for sharing 👋
Hi John, just to say I loved your video . The scenery was amazing I can see why you go to the Tour de France .
Just keep on doing the things that make you happy as we all enjoy seeing what you put out for us.
Take care, see you soon
Well, I would never watch TDF, but got to admit that was far more intresting than I expected and you did all the hard work, so I could drink coffee and watch, thanks very much !
Enjoyed that, thank you
Great video John, entertaining and we learned a few things too!! Keep being you fella
Looks like you & Many are having great fun 😊
Great work always look forward to your videos thank you john🚲🚲
Well done this was a good video x
John, Your having way too much fun.
Thank you both for sharing the behind the scenes of
a) locatation , locatation , locatation
b) Where to stick a sneeky camera on top of the sign on that corner
c) Cheap snacks and fuel in Spain
d) Being with Mandy too - Union Jack Flag as superhero cape.
Take care and drive safe in France
Great video enjoyed it so much, great to see you both enjoying yourselves 👍👍👍👍
Great video content John. 👍
Most enjoyable!
Great video John, we love the TDF. Thanks for sharing your experience and please continue doing what you do best. There will always be hater’s it seems to be the way of the world nowadays.
Great video, John. I watch all your video's and Mandys as I like to see how you're both doing. We also travel full time, currently in Ypres then off to Luxembourg. Best wishes to you both.
Oh my I’m loving the camera work. You set the cameras up in such a great angle get lots of footage fantastic. I wait patiently for your next vlog
Excellent video that captured the essence of the Tour excitement with the colourful advertising vehicles preceding the riders. Multiple cameras certainly helped capture the action. No doubt the Tour route will take you to many locations that you would not have otherwise chosen but that necessary discipline will introduce you to rural parts of France that very few people see. At the end of the day you will have completed your own Tour de France.
Thanks again - great to watch this (bit late) as unable to get there this year!
Great vlog John 👍 👌
Another great video ❤
Excellent advice. Some great shots there, despite the weather 👍💙❤️
Thanks John. Loving the TDF vlogs 👍
Back in the 90s following the tour was so different. No GPS or apps or anything online to follow where the race was or the online coverage of the race. The tour caravan used to throw out printed maps of the route and then we'd have to use paper maps to find a point in the route. Then follow the arrows the find a great spot. It was always a race to get to a spot before the roads were closed many hours before the caravan came through. Alpe D'huez was always the best. After the race went by we'd have to find a village with a bar showing the race to find out what was happening So many great apps and info these days to follow the race. Looking forward to today's stage in the pyrenees and your next vid 👍
cheers John. ……….the epic adventure link!
Nice to see you happier today loved the video with you and Mandy look forward to the next ❤❤
Great to see all that. Thanks.
Great video. Awe Keep talking about following The TDF but thanks to your videos finally planning to make it happen next year 👍🏻
Love the TDF, enjoy yourself John.
Enjoyed that - only thing with TDF is how fast its over when you put so much effort in. i watched it in UK in places i know and it was a pain getting around. Be cool in France though seeing new places all the time. When i was at school i won 2nd prize on a comp to go on the Milk Race which we had many moons ago (1st rise was a racer) - i was in one of the cars. Loved that - had a great day around my part of the world. Think it was leeds to bradford stage and took in holme moss etc. They flew down there about 70mph. We had to do some time checks on the riders. I was only about 13 but still remember it now. Hope you enjoy more fun stages.
Great stuff John. Thanks for sharing how you download the stage and find a food spot to park. I hope to do the same in the coming years.
Right so first things first…. Not keen on the tour/bikes as a subject to watch ….. and haven’t watched any other ones because of that…. HOWEVER how wrong was I … because I had missed the point of “it’s John and bikes” which I love❤. So the video totally surprised me as I loved watching a subject I thought I didn’t like…. 😂 ❤
That looked great fun - and lucky the rain held off as they all passed.
Was amazed at the level of detail of the route you were able to download - and interesting to see how that all helps to pick your viewing points. By stark comparison, I was on holiday in Brittany decades ago - shopping in a tiny village when suddenly the whole shebang swept through. We had no idea it was even in the area... but it was an awesome experience.
Anyway it looks like you have got this van trip pretty well sorted - watching the TdF live, fantastic scenery, and snacking on beer, crisps and donuts...😄 Am looking forward to the next stage already. Have fun 👍
Great stuff keep on keeping John ❤
Top video John, and thanks for the tip on picking your spot, great if you're actually riding the route as well. It's fascinating seeing how much time they spend ahead of the race closing off roads miles away, seemingly sometimes just to stop folk finding a spot, but they have had some serious injuries over the last few years so the security has been tightened up in lots of the big tours. They've closed off a fair bit around the Puy De-Dome, and the big Aire and carparks are closed to vans completely and that's 4 days ahead of the stage 9, and the last 4k up the dome is closed to spectators on race day as well due to the narrowness of the road. Loving the videos John, hope you can find the energy to keep going. 👋🇨🇵
Love it that you explained how you find where to park. I'm hoping that next year I can watch some of TdF and just yesterday was on Google maps "practicing" a parking search. lol I'm on android so going to head off looking for an equivalent app now...
Thank you! 😊
Nice one John 👍🏻
Fully entertaining video wether you like cycling or not. Really don’t get how people can complain ! Just do your thing John and don’t give the moaners the time of day. Having said that it’s good that you can talk about how you feel when you get pissed off. Enjoy the rest of the tour and keep showing us your journey. Cheers buddy.
Thanks, I know it might seem whingy but I've always said my videos will be honest and that means most of the time it's entertaining watching what I get up to, but then sometimes it's not so good and it's only fair that gets talked about too. I'd hate to think someone sold their house to live in a van because I made it look amazing every day.
I agree, be true to yourself and most of all keep it real. That’s where the real value is to your Chanel.
Following Le Tour is on my bucket list, maybe next year... 🤞. Thanks John
It must be perfect to bring your home with you and at the same time do what you love and let me come along on my computer. Thank you 😊
Beers are on Mandy after that big saving 1€. Lot of work by you John for these videos many thanks 👍
Great informative video John 👍. Glad I upgraded my Mirider brakes to the phneumatic, just need to watch out for potholes when going downhill fast. Looks like the roads you are on are very good compared to back home. Lol
Great to see you both getting into the spirit, shame about the rain!
Keep making the videos you love, shame you felt the need to make the last one, and this was perhaps delayed because of it. Coming from a very keen cyclist, I love your passion for it 👊
Enjoyed the video John..I envy your knowledge of computers etc.. takes me all my time to work a calculator. Roll on stage 3 of the race.. Hope weather is a bit kinder for it.. Take care ❤❤
Love watching your enthusiasm for the tour. I never realised how big it is. To have the sponsors vehicles come through first makes sense I supposed as they give out the product to be displayed. One thing unrelated. I noticed a brick behind Mandy’s right rear wheel at your park up. Dodgy handbrake or just belt and braces?
Belt & braces due to the incline 👍🏻
Well done good luck mooch us good vlog video 👍👍👍 will you save locations for next year , and do they restrict drones 👍🏴🇬🇧🇨🇦
The routes change each year, so although I save the parkup locations they’re not used unless a future Tdf might come close to that spot. There are no drone restrictions, aside from not flying when the Tdf aircraft are around, but I don’t fly my drone if it’s raining.
Thanks for this worth the wait shame about the weather though🌩️
Hiya John. Hope you're enjoying following the Tour as much as we enjoy your vlogs. Keep up the good work 👍 On a different note would you mind telling me which model of Stetson cap you have please? Cheers
Here’s the hat I have 👍🏻 amzn.to/3XK8HRr
Cheers John 👍😀
Bligh me, tried to spot you and Mandy but missed it apparently. Now at 14:02 with 111 km to go second chance:-)) I never put a thought into do this but hopefully I can give it a try next year. Wish you lots of fun and good shootings 👍👍
Hi John great tdf videos. Have you ever thought of following some stages of La Vuelta Espana or do you think it would be too difficult with police restrictions?
Better than Channel 4 😂😂
Love all the research you do I can really appreciate the hard work…..I know I’d get obsessed, then panic park 😅
Very interesting👍 Be good to see whether the French gendarmes are a little more relaxed about parking
I just subscribed to your channel and appreciate the content? Are there any other campervan style vloggers following the TDF that are recommended?
I don’t know of any other RUclipsrs who follow the race and also ride the routes etc.
i love videos john ashley may
Cool, I didn't know about the guys at the begining with the merch etc??? 🤔😀
Really good video. Amazing how much goes into the race as well as your planning. Do you get to keep the arrow signs as a momento? 👍
Wear gloves! I can ride a bike without a helmet but can’t get on one without gloves after having a bike slide out from under me on a loose surface when I was about ten and automatically putting a hand down. A few years back a friend who was having radiotherapy at the Christy hospital in Manchester after surgery asked me to do the annual naked bike ride and shoot video for her and the other ladies getting over breast cancer and I couldn’t get on my bike without gloves. I don’t think I’ve ever been so terrified of something in my life but I had a choice, unlike the patients in the hospital, so went off to make a fool of myself. The good news is she’s still in the clear.
I love 99% of your and Mandy’s videos, and if there is one that doesn’t take my fancy I simply switch it off. I’m hoping you decide to continue making videos of whatever takes your fancy…
Your vans are great for hiding in plain sight. With the yellow arrows they look quite official. Just wear a yellow west to complete the look 😉
Think I spotted the vans on ITV4 helicopter coverage around 81km to go. Your van, solar panels and something orange on the roof. Didn’t manage to spot you today though.
The orange recovery boards on the roof stand out a bit 😁
❤
I did have a dream of following the mountain stages of TdF, but as I haven`t bothered to follow my local international race, the Arctic race of Norway, I guess my interest isn`t as it should be. It seems to stressful to follow TdF. Thanks for your video.
👍
Best place is on the coach watching your vlog 😂😂😂😂
Couch surely???
if you're following the tour train and heading to Limoges, I now of a good place to park up not far from the city, as im there now! Let me now!
Thanks, we are meeting friends on that stage so already have a parkup planned. Enjoy the tour.
I know that you're on the TdF route - but Andorra is where the cheap diesel is. I filled up at €1:67 in the Pyrenees - 33 mins later and €1:33 🤦
Ah that's good but in was €1.29 in spain 👍🏻
👍🚐🚐😎