It's the eve of the Grand Departure here on Corsica and to say that there's an air of excitement would be an understatement and that's just here at our place. There's great anticipation for the first ever visit of the Tour to Corsica and for its very special 100th edition. There's also great expectation from us Brits because this time tomorrow evening there's a good chance Mark Cavendish will be wearing the Maillot Jaune.

The cycling media has, rightly so, gone into overdrive adding to the excitement. One of my favourite magazines, Cyclist dispatched Mark Bailey here several weeks ago and this week in its Tour Special you can read all about his epic day out with local guide Nicolas Miaskiewicz of Europe Active. It's a great read  capturing the essence of road riding here en Corse and is stunningly complimented with excellent pictures by Pete Webb.

It will be hard to crowd dodge over the next few days as the Tour works its way around the L'Île de Beauté watched by fans from around the world. After the Tour has gone though this is very definitely a place where you can, "ride without the hordes".

If like me your planning to be in Corsica for the first three stages of the Tour have you decided yet where to spectate from? Here are links to the detailed timings for each of the stages:

• Stage 1 Porto-Vecchio to Bastia, www.letour.com/le-tour/2013/us/stage-1
• Stage 2 Bastia to Ajaccio, www.letour.com/le-tour/2013/us/stage-2
• Stage 3 Ajaccio to Calvi, www.letour.com/le-tour/2013/us/stage-3

Given that this is the first time in Corsica for the Tour and that this is the 100th edition then Porto-Vecchio is going to have a very special atmosphere as the riders get underway. Also, because they will head south on a loop there's the opportunity to see them again as they head north towards Bastia perhaps at the Cote de Sotta (D659 or D859 south west of Porto-Vecchio) or along the coast on the N198. For those based in the north then the run in towards the finish along the D107, east of the airport, on the narrow strip of land between the sea and the Etang de Biguglia should be fast and furious with Cav upfront.

Stage 2 crosses the island from Bastia to Ajaccio. There are several excellent points to see the action. You may want to take a look at using the train to access some of the mountainous parts of this route - see Corsica Trains who are running a modified service for this stage. My recommended spots are Ponte Leccia - watch all the action at one of the bars next to the Super U and see the caravan and peleton close up as they cross the bridge and go around the round about and off toward Corte. The tiny villages of Venaco and Vivario will be spectacular. Probably best accessed by train as the Tour squeezes through their narrow streets - The Bar Central in Venaco will be a prime location as it's on the fast descent from Santo-Pietro. After the Col de Vizzavona, Bocognano which will afford a view of the jaw dropping descent from the Col.

For the third and final stage on Corsica then the Piana Calanques will provide an incredible backdrop as will the Scandola marine reserve alongside the D81 perhaps at the Cols de la Croix or Palmarella. My favoured spot is the final climb en Corse at the Col de Marsilino just a few kms before the stage finish where the GC contenders will be watching each other very carefully. It's an amazing viewpoint but note there's no parking, no shade and no facilities - parfait pour la tour!

Post script - here are links to two important documents if you are spectating. All you need to know re road closures etc. They're in French but easily understood (!). Just click on the blue,

• Haute Corse
• Corse du Sud