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The Touriste Routier: taking a modern look at the classic Tour de France
Our friend in the south (of France), Samuel Thompson is taking a new, very old challenge in 2025. Over to him to take us on a history lesson...
A true tour of France
Early editions of the Tour de France bore little resemblance to the modern era of professional teams, tour buses and routes criss-crossing the country. They were true tours of France, taking riders on a full lap around the perimeter of the country. The 1925 Tour was 5,430 km over 18 stages, with many over 300 km and the longest being 433 km. In comparison, this is somewhat akin to the daily distance many cover in current day ultra-distance events (and up to twice as long as a modern TdF stage). The peloton was composed of 41 professionals and 89 independent Touristes Routiers. These riders took part in the race at their own expense as their annual vacation and as a way to explore distant regions of France. They received no team support and at the end of each stage would have to ride around town with their bags balanced on their handlebars looking for a shower in a local school and a small cheap hotel.
Sounds like a familiar predicament...
The athletic ideal
For Henri Desgrange, creator of the Tour, the Touriste Routier came closest to his ideal of the athletic endeavour:
In the intervening years, the Tour de France has professionalised and moved away from self-sufficiency. The routes have also evolved to become shorter and often neglect entire regions of France. There is however one route which retains both of these elements, the Tour de France Randonneur.
Meet Samuel
I am Samuel Thompson - ultra-distance cyclist, coach and unabashed Francophile. My introduction and immersion into the cycling world has followed three main narratives:
The Tour: For many, the Tour de France is professional cycling. I was captured by all this race represents. The racing, the landscapes, the tradition, the history, France itself. From there, the wider world of cycling opened up but the Tour remains the reference.
Randonneuring: I was introduced to ultra-distance cycling through the UK Audax scene. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. One distance led to the next and I soon recognised a competitive spark. This led naturally to racing in bikepacking events, achieving some success and increasingly immersing myself in this world.
The Record Breakers: I am captivated by the stories of those who have set out to achieve something that no one before them has. Mark Beaumont & Jenny Graham’s [now Lael Wilcox's] Round The World records represent the ultimate in this domain, combining adventure with athletic performance. I have long considered what ‘my’ record could be. I now have over 10 years experience participating in ultra-distance, self-supported cycling events and independent touring, including regularly racing since 2017. My results have imparted a personal sense of accomplishment but the places I have seen, the people I have encountered and the ensuing experiences are what bring the greatest rewards.
This unbridled passion has worked its way in to my professional life through the establishment of Acier Coaching & Consultancy, through which I specialise in preparing cyclists for ultra-distance, self-supported events. My love of France has also developed to such an extent that I now call the country my home and fuel myself almost exclusively on croissants.
Although racing has brought me a huge amount, that itch of a larger challenge to which I can apply a singular focus has always been there. ‘My’ record. A simple distance or time goal doesn’t seem enough on its own and for a while I was searching for something with real resonance and personal meaning.
Then I discovered the Tour de France Randonneur.
The Tour de France Randonneur
The Tour de France Randonneur is essentially a permanent Brevet, established in 1958 and run & regulated by US Métro Cyclo.
The route roughly follows the perimeter of France, with riders having to pass through 61 control points, evidenced by a dated stamp or photograph. The rider has a free choice of route between the controls. These include emblematic cycling & historical locations including Omaha Beach, Carrefour de l’Arbre, and the Cols du Tourmalet, Bonnette, Lauteret & Izoard.
Typical routes comprise a minimum of 4,800 km & 45,000 m ascent. There are 51 cols to summit, 7 of which are over 2,000 m. The start/finish point can be anywhere along the route, which can be ridden in either direction.
The maximum time limit to complete the route is 30 days. Completion & number of days taken are recorded on the Palmares, but not ranked. The current fastest known time is 13 days, 2 hours, 15 minutes, set by Kristof Allegaert in July 2011.
My Goal
100 years on, I aspire to revive the spirit of the Touriste Routier, combining the elements of travel & discovery with achieving a performance-oriented goal. I aim to complete the Tour de France Randonneur route within 13 days. All while fully respecting the rules & regulations set by the organiser.
This is a project with a performance objective, aligned with celebrating the traditions of modern day ultra-distance racing, randonneuring and professional cycling. This route provides a sense of completeness and offers the opportunity to embark on a journey steeped in history with a contemporary approach. I am motivated by accomplishing an ambitious goal, especially when there is such resonance and meaning behind it.
How Will it Happen?
This is an endeavour that will encompass the broad range of skills, strengths and qualities required to succeed in self-supported ultra-distance cycling. However, the world of ultra-distance cycling has developed hugely since 2011. I intend to harness all the advances available to tip the odds in my favour.
- I will need to ride more than 370 km per 24 hours to complete 4,800 km in less than 13 days.
- I will start and finish in my home town, Manosque, in mid-June 2025 which will allow for optimal daylight and (fingers crossed) weather conditions.
- I will employ a combination of Parcours Type and individual adjustments to optimise the route linking all control points.
- I will accept support on the ground & remotely, but I will not rely on this (the regulations permit support and contact with the rider at any moment, except for following vehicles).
- I will employ a setup specifically designed for this project, tailored for my requirements.
A line I read in the book ‘Tour de France Esprit Randonneur’ perfectly sums up my approach to this project:
‘Croire en ses rêves et se donner les moyens’.
It reads almost as poetically in English: ‘Believe in your dreams and give yourself the means’.
Joining my Journey
Although I intend to embark upon this journey in the spirit of the Touriste Routier, I want to involve others and harness their support along the way. Through documenting my preparation, planning and execution I hope that this will become a shared endeavour and recount a story beyond just aiming to better a record.
Whatever shape they may take, competitive or otherwise, I truly believe that we each have our own records out there somewhere. Once identified, to achieve them we just need belief and to take action. Croire en ses rêves et se donner les moyens.
