GO DO IT! I wasn’t particularly competitive but took part in the 2004 edition (Limoges to St Flour). It was an awesome place to be; 8,000 riders taking over the city for a couple of days before and after. They have closed roads, Mavic support (who were great with my bike the day before) feed zones etc. The atmosphere is amazing with loads of people coming out of their houses to cheer/watch us go past. Get your doctor’s appointment booked for the day the entry form is released on the web, download it, print it, take it to your Dr, get it signed and send it. I think the forms come out in Jan some time but probably best to check with Graeme Baxter (sporting tours). I didn’t use him (organised it myself) but I think he handles all international entries now (which were limited to 1500 when I did it hence getting organised). Oh, and if you want to be competitive you better get training its usually one of the hardest stages of that year’s tour!