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Analysis: Le Tour de France vs. The Otago Great Rides

Le Tour de France, Pyrenees France
Geoff Marks

Inspiration Full Circle

Loop rides have always appealed to cyclists. Perhaps it stems from the folklore of La Grande Boucle (Le Tour de France) which literally means the Big Loop, or maybe it’s merely the simple convenience of starting and finishing a ride from the same place.

Individually, Otago’s cycle trails are mostly linear traversing the landscape from A to B, but an ever-growing network of trails means that connecting them all together for a Big Loop or Tour d'Otago is becoming easier with fully supported multi-day itineraries now available from many local bike tour companies.

Much like Le Tour, a circumnavigation of Otago on its network of Great Rides is a travelogue on wheels through spectacular and diverse landscapes. Like the tour, you can follow a pre-defined course (parcours in French) in the form of an itinerary prepared for you by a professional bike tour company. And just like France, you’ll find vineyards, strong espresso coffee from great cafes and even freshly baked croissants!

But what of the differences?

Purple haze: fields of lavender in Provence, France...

Purple prose: wild thyme adorning the hills of Central Otago.

Setting and Scenery

La Grande Boucle: Picture this - winding through the French countryside, past lavender fields in Provence, the sunflowers of the Loire Valley, the majestic yet merciless mountains of the Alps and Pyrenees where the views are breathtaking – that is, if you have any breath left to take! Castles and château dot the landscape, the valleys echo to the sound of cowbells and cheers of "allez, allez!", and the streets are lined with passionate fans waving tricolore flags.

Otago Big Loop: Now, imagine a journey through Otago, New Zealand. The landscapes are no less spectacular than Le Tour: from Queenstown’s majestic mountains and glaciers to the vast vistas of the Otago Central Rail Trail with its viaducts and tunnels. Ride along the Clutha Gold Trail next to the mighty Clutha River and then into the deep, dramatic Roxburgh Gorge where Māori and gold mining history come to life, before culminating with an epic ride on the Lake Dunstan Trail along its swing bridges and gravity-defying walkways hugging sheer rock walls.

A chateau and vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France...

...Larnach Castle in Dunedin, Otago. (Photo: Dunedin NZ).

Otago has vineyards galore... Bannockburn, Central Otago. (Photo: Will Nelson)

Duration and Intensity

Tour de France: 21-days of grueling racing covering approximately 3,500km, with riders battling through punishing mountain stages, blistering time trials, and kamikaze sprint finishes. Only the toughest riders will complete the parcours in Paris.

Otago Big Loop: A leisurely 6-10 day bike ride through picturesque landscapes, covering around 350-400km in total. The hills are gentle, the pace is yours to set, and the only sprints you might consider are to the next vineyard or café. The circuit is achievable for almost everyone (thanks e-bikes!) and tout le monde complete the ride together.

Support and Comfort:

Tour de France: A convoy of support vehicles, team cars, and a swarm of media helicopters. If you crash, a team of medics is on hand. If you bonk (run out of puff), energy gels and electrolyte drinks galore.

Otago Big Loop: A friendly wave from a local farmer, daily baggage transfers to a cosy bed-and-breakfast, and the occasional sheep giving you a curious glance. You carry your own snacks, and there’s rarely a chopper in sight… albeit a few tractors.

An intense time trial through the streets of Albi, France...

...all the time in the world... meandering along the Lake Dunstan Trail on the way to a winery for lunch.

Competition vs. Camaraderie:

Tour de France: Intense rivalry, strategic alliances, and the pressure of a global audience. It’s a gladiatorial contest on wheels, where one mistake can cost you the yellow jersey.

Otago Big Loop: Laid-back camaraderie, with fellow cyclists sharing laughs, stories, and a pint at the local pub. The only jersey competition is for who has the best tan lines by the end of the holiday… Chapeau!

Diet and Nutrition:

Tour de France: Precision nutrition, calculated calorie intake, and energy bars that taste like cardboard.

Otago Big Loop: Hearty meals at country pubs and cafes, fresh fruit from orchards, and frequent indulgence in Otago's fine wines. And did someone say pies?...

Pressure and intense rivalry on 21-stages of Le Tour...

....yeah, nah.... no pressure and no rush when you're on Otago time.

Elevation and Effort:

La Grande Boucle: Lung-busting and leg-burning hors categorie* climbs (*so tough they're beyond classification)! Le Tour features notorious ascents like Alpe d'Huez, Mont Ventoux, and the Col d’Aubisque. The professional peloton battles gradients that make the steepest Otago trails seem like a gentle hillock in comparison. Oxygen masks, anyone?

Otago Big Loop: Whilst Otago’s trails have the odd challenging section, they’re considerably more forgiving than a hors categorie ascent in the Alps. The Rail Trail is only grade 1 (easy) with a very gentle gradient, perfect for enjoying the scenery without gasping for breath and likewise the Clutha Gold Trail is a forgiving grade 1-2 ride. The Lake Dunstan and Roxburgh Gorge Trails (grade 2-3) offer some ups and downs, but nothing that will have you questioning your life choices. You might break a sweat, but there's always the promise of a country pub or café at the next trail town for essential rehydration.

Thin air at the summit of the hors categorie Col d'Aubisque...

...on the Otago Trails we prefer looking up at the mountains, rather than riding over them!

Adventure and Atmosphere:

La Grande Boucle: It’s a grand spectacle, a test of endurance, strategy, and sheer willpower. The atmosphere is electric, every stage a new drama. Victory here is celebrated on the Champs-Élysées with champagne and worldwide acclaim.

Otago Big Loop: Your Otago adventure is about personal triumphs and unforgettable experiences with friends and family. The atmosphere is relaxed, the pace is yours to set, and each trail offers opportunity for a new discovery. Completing the loop brings a sense of accomplishment and lifelong memories of a journey through some of New Zealand's most stunning landscapes. But chances are there could also be bubbles along the way too...

Le Tour atmosphere is electric, a grand spectacle, and the ultimate test of endurance...

The Otago Trails are about spending quality time with friends and family...

....and relaxing! (Photo: James Hustler)

In Summary

Le Tour de France is the epitome of competitive cycling, whereas a circumnavigation of the Otago Great Rides offers a different kind of challenge - a mix of achievable adventure, stunning scenery, with warm hospitality and local charm. Both are epic in their own ways and offer so much more than just pushing pedals.

Le Tour d'Otago guarantees more sheep than Le Tour de France but less sunflowers, fewer steep climbs, but you’ll also experience the kind of peace and solitude that’s hard to find in the peloton. So, pump up your tyres, pack your panniers, and take a spin around Otago’s very own grande boucle!

Whether from a bakery or boulangerie, the scent of fresh croissants is irresistible (Courthouse Cafe, Alexandra Otago).

You'll probably encounter more sheep than sunflowers in Otago....

Like France, Otago offers spectacular landscapes, fine wine, and world-class opportunities for cyclists of all abilities.

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