Travel by Numbers: The Tour de France

As the teams set off on the greatest cycling event of the year, spokes-man Simon Calder measures the route's appeal

3,500

Price, in pounds, of a six-week mountain bike technical leader course starting in August in Verbier, Switzerland, one of five nations included in this year's Tour de France. The price includes accommodation, most dinners, five days of training a week – and a first-aid course to help you evaluate fellow riders' requests to "put me back on my bike". peakleaders.com

267

Average number of sunny days each year in Le Cap d'Agde, above, the resort that is the starting point for stage 5. The Greek origins of the area are evident at the excellent Musée de l'Ephèbe – named for one of its Greek bronzes, thought to be a likeness of Alexander the Great. en.capdagde.com

176.5

Distance in kilometres of stage 7, from Andorra across the Pyrenees to the town of St-Girons in the Ariège – an ideal base for less pressé cyclists (or hikers) keen to explore this little-known region. ville-st-girons.fr

7

Duration, in minutes, of the helicopter flight from Nice-Côte d'Azur airport to Monaco, where this year's Tour begins today. The principality is better known for its motorsport credentials, notably celebrated at the Columbus Hotel, part-owned by Formula 1 driver David Coulthard. No need to break the bank at Monte Carlo's stylish casino, below, before you check in; a weekend for two including dinner and breakfast costs €279. columbushotels.com

219

Price, in pounds, of a day-return in "Leisure Select" class from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord on 26 July, the day the Tour ends in the French capital. You get nearly 10 hours in France – and the day trip means you won't need to get a hotel room, likely to be in short (and expensive) supply.

1

Previous appearances on the Tour of the Catalan capital, Barcelona – the southernmost destination in the race's history. The end of the race involves a climb to the hill of Montjuic on the south side of the city centre – home to the Olympic Stadium and the excellent Miro Museum. fundaciomiro-bcn.org

17

Date in July when the riders arrive in Colmar, close to the Rhine and the home of Frédéric Bartholdi – an artist whose signature work is a global icon, the Statue of Liberty. The Musée Bartholdi at 30 rue des Marchands traces his achievements, and provides details of his less ambitious sculptures scattered around the town. musee-bartholdi.com

1,912

Height, in metres, of Mont Ventoux, the "giant of Provence", that provides the most gruelling climb in the Tour. This year, after a seven-year absence, it is the climax of stage 20 (from Montelimar) on 25 July, with the finish the following day in Paris. The overnight journey north will be made mainly by train. More details from the official website: letour.fr .