Tour of Britain 2012 Route

jibberjim

Yellow Peril wrote:

So is Box Hill popular because it is "iconic" in some way or just the only thing worth climbing in that neck of the woods?

Box hill is popular 'cos it's so easy, very near south west london and there's a cafe at the top. It can be 15miles back to Richmond park, so the south west Londoner who wants to venture out to the hills can get there really easily just about however slow they are, and it's right next to the Mole valley, the only flat route through the downs for a long way. It's also the only hill on the south side of the downs which is a shallow gradient, so those people scared of steep hills will stay with it.

The area is basically one long ridge of around 200m elevation with both sides having about 20-30m the south facing ridge is very steep, the north ridge gradual, and then there's a few more ridges south again. So there are are lots of climbs which gain ~150m of altitude over varying distances. So there are steep climbs like Chalkpit lane 1.9km 7.9% average 20%+ max or Winterfold 1.4km 9.2% average 20%+ max as steep ones or there's long draggy ones like Houndhouse Lane 3.2km 4.2%. Box hill is nothing special or unusual. Other than its proximity to London, and the lack of alternative hill that doesn't add another 10miles on to a journey out there.

Ron Stuart

Shall have a ride out with the 1955 winner of this event to see the start of the Welsh stage which will probably be from Powy's Castle again. Their road will be flat till Newtown ( http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/routes/w ... hoban.html ) country. They then ride up to the Dolfor fantastic cycling to be had around here around Kerry Ridgeway, Teme Valley, Abbey-cwm-hir, Rhayader, Elan Lakes, Wye Valley etc,etc. The peloton miss the best roads as they stay on main roads nearly the whole way.
Geraint T for this stage :?:

Pross

Ron Stuart wrote:

Shall have a ride out with the 1955 winner of this event to see the start of the Welsh stage which will probably be from Powy's Castle again. Their road will be flat till Newtown ( http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/routes/w ... hoban.html ) country. They then ride up to the Dolfor fantastic cycling to be had around here around Kerry Ridgeway, Teme Valley, Abbey-cwm-hir, Rhayader, Elan Lakes, Wye Valley etc,etc. The peloton miss the best roads as they stay on main roads nearly the whole way.
Geraint T for this stage :?:

The website does indeed confirm Powis Castle as the start of the Welsh stage. I agree that staying on the main roads avoids some good cycling. I feel they'd be better going Talgarth-Pengenffordd-Crickhowell-Llangynidr Mountain than using the A470 route over Storey Arms that they did last year, that would give two climbs which are both improvements on the dull Storey Arms climb (even though the latter gives some excellent views on a clear day).

Ron Stuart

All fantastic stuff pross and who knows we yet maybe a stage arriving in Wales taking in some of Snowdonia after all they used to go over the Bwilch-y-Groes years ago the highest road pass in Wales (it's on some of my training rides) although I usually go over from Bala and down to Vrynwy. They could then do a stage down to South Wales cutting down on transfer distance.
My ride buddy when he won the Tour in 55 did nine stages in eight days starting and finishing in London and he was 21! Having done two amateur circuits of Britain, he finished first stage in Clacton average speed 26mph; 152miles across the fens next day, third day was 73 mile road race plus a 37 mile TT both in freezing horizontal rain plus having to cross the Humber by ferry to do the TT. Next day a stage to Sheffield was one by TDF lantern rouge Tony Hoar. Then Sheffield-Pwllheli, 168miles through High Peak and Welsh Mountains, it was this stage that my friend took over the race lead. Next the road to Cheltenham, then the following day on to Bournemouth lastly Bournemouth to London118 miles still with the lead but punctured and team mate Mick Waterfield swapped wheels and without radios his nearest rival up front didn't realise the leader was off the back and failed to put the hammer down.
Not much in the way of transfers in those days in fact there was none, didn't see that much of Britain as a whole but they were monsters of men.

Tusher

My capital city if Edinburgh.
Yellowperil, I agree- the Isle Of Man would make a fantastic stage, and the island is experienced in hosting such events.

Wasn't expecting much, and they have managed to reach Scotland, but it would great if they could venture further north. Flying them north would probably be an easier transfer for the riders as well.

(Away to draft another letter to Eck the Fish and Highland Council.)

nevman

Route goes past my door at Derby-me,I will hopefully be turning the bike round at John O`Groats.Great.
Why oh Why......

blazing_saddles

Pross wrote:

Ron Stuart wrote:

Shall have a ride out with the 1955 winner of this event to see the start of the Welsh stage which will probably be from Powy's Castle again. Their road will be flat till Newtown ( http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/routes/w ... hoban.html ) country. They then ride up to the Dolfor fantastic cycling to be had around here around Kerry Ridgeway, Teme Valley, Abbey-cwm-hir, Rhayader, Elan Lakes, Wye Valley etc,etc. The peloton miss the best roads as they stay on main roads nearly the whole way.
Geraint T for this stage :?:

The website does indeed confirm Powis Castle as the start of the Welsh stage. I agree that staying on the main roads avoids some good cycling. I feel they'd be better going Talgarth-Pengenffordd-Crickhowell-Llangynidr Mountain than using the A470 route over Storey Arms that they did last year, that would give two climbs which are both improvements on the dull Storey Arms climb (even though the latter gives some excellent views on a clear day).

Too right. Storey Arms is a drag, in both senses of the word.
I'd add the Tumble, too, down to Pontypool and over the two valleys and into the Caerphilly finale.
Would certainly test a few legs, but I suspect would make too long a stage.

Cumulonimbus

Blazing Saddles wrote:

Pross wrote:

Ron Stuart wrote:

Shall have a ride out with the 1955 winner of this event to see the start of the Welsh stage which will probably be from Powy's Castle again. Their road will be flat till Newtown ( http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/routes/w ... hoban.html ) country. They then ride up to the Dolfor fantastic cycling to be had around here around Kerry Ridgeway, Teme Valley, Abbey-cwm-hir, Rhayader, Elan Lakes, Wye Valley etc,etc. The peloton miss the best roads as they stay on main roads nearly the whole way.
Geraint T for this stage :?:

The website does indeed confirm Powis Castle as the start of the Welsh stage. I agree that staying on the main roads avoids some good cycling. I feel they'd be better going Talgarth-Pengenffordd-Crickhowell-Llangynidr Mountain than using the A470 route over Storey Arms that they did last year, that would give two climbs which are both improvements on the dull Storey Arms climb (even though the latter gives some excellent views on a clear day).

Too right. Storey Arms is a drag, in both senses of the word.

They're going to have to dress up in women's clothes?

MSByrne

I don't think people are crediting Guildford with the fact that it'll make an excellent place for a race finish, the cobbled and uphill high street is an awesome location for a showdown in the last few hundred metres of the race. JTL said he thinks the whole tour could be won or lost on them. http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2112753_tour_of_britain_cyclists_get_reigateguildford_test

vikkyg85

I believe this to be the route for the finish into Norwich for Stage 1: Ipswich to Norfolk Showground. I have mapped it the other way going Norwich > Great Yarmouth for the record.

http://g.co/maps/t86zf

mroli

Ron Stuart wrote:

after all they used to go over the Bwilch-y-Groes years ago the highest road pass in Wales (it's on some of my training rides) although I usually go over from Bala and down to Vrynwy.

This is on your training rides? I'm glad I don't ride out with you - I did this recently completing the 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs and almost expired halfway up. Hardest climb I've done in the UK... It'd create big gaps.

Ron Stuart

mroli wrote:

Ron Stuart wrote:

after all they used to go over the Bwilch-y-Groes years ago the highest road pass in Wales (it's on some of my training rides) although I usually go over from Bala and down to Vrynwy.

This is on your training rides? I'm glad I don't ride out with you - I did this recently completing the 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs and almost expired halfway up. Hardest climb I've done in the UK... It'd create big gaps.

The bwilch from Bala Lake isn't as hard as from the South featured here... http://www.mikecotty.co.uk/press/2nd_bwlch_groes.jpg however it's still hard especially if the wind is not in your favour which is quite often the case as it whistles up the Dovey Valley. I have done the ascent featured above a few times and also descended it a few times.
Shall be doing this Audax in a few weeks time... http://ridewithgps.com/routes/348678 I recommend it, there is also a Four Rivers bit longer with some lumpy stuff added in the Shropshire Hills near where I live.
My wife shall be riding this http://www.rhinopursuits.com/download/M ... 20PACK.pdf I shan't as I am doing the Wild Edric sportive the next day. Gary died on the Bwilch training and the pros have descended to Bala at 60mph (nutters) as it is narrow with shale, beware :!:

Pross

This must have been an epic stage!

http://www.paulcurran.ndo.co.uk/Articles/1990/900530-MilkRace.html

I suspect that the Bwlch or Devil's Staircase wouldn't be included now as there just isn't enough space for spectator parking. They would have to close the road the previous day and have people walk or cycle up to watch on the day although Devil's Staircase I suppose might be able to use the forestry land for parking.