Grand Depart vs. Ceremonial Start

rdent
rdent Posts: 49
edited May 2014 in Road general
I don't know whether to do the Grand Depart in the middle of Leeds or head out to Harewood House.

What's the difference? I understand the Grand Depart to Harewood House is the neutralised bit but will the atmosphere at the ceremonial start be just as good?

Comments

  • lakesluddite
    lakesluddite Posts: 1,337
    I guess it depends on what you want around the periphery. If you go into the centre of Leeds then you're obviously in the centre of a big city and all that it has to offer (food, drink, shops etc - and there is a cycling show on in the Town Hall I think, The Yorkshire Bicycle show), but there is the whole Cycling festival thing on at Harewood House, so lots to do for cyclists in particular.
    Personally, I'll be up Buttertubs on the first day well before the start, but I think I might go to HH for the sunday, and perhaps Leeds Town Hall on the Friday for the first day of the show and to soak up the atmosphere.
  • thefog
    thefog Posts: 197
    Don't get the interest in Harewood. Riders aren't racing, it will all be a bit 'stale' and activities a bit regimental.

    Given reports of who is attending, I'm a bit surprised they want a plethora of peasants camping, drinking beer and eating burgers on the grounds.
  • Dazz150
    Dazz150 Posts: 12
    LakesLuddite wrote:
    Personally, I'll be up Buttertubs on the first day well before the start, but I think I might go to HH for the sunday, and perhaps Leeds Town Hall on the Friday for the first day of the show and to soak up the atmosphere.

    Same here, campsite booked - is it too early to start packing? :D
  • rdent
    rdent Posts: 49
    Might see you at the bike show, not that I know what you look like.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    The départ fictif is where all the ceremony will actually happen and the riders will roll out, but then the départ réel is just where the riders are signalled they can start racing, nothing really that interesting happens?

    That said I'd rather go somewhere where they are actually racing.
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,295
    Aye, top of Cragg Vale for me then a short walk to the White House for some fizzy stuff.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    homers double wrote:
    Aye, top of Cragg Vale for me then a short walk to the White House for some fizzy stuff.

    A bleak spot to go to watch them fly past at high speed! They'll need a serious headwind to be slowed usefully and then you wouldn't want to be up there waiting for them!
    Faster than a tent.......
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,295
    It'll be reet, the weather in Littleborough is alway sunn... Oh crap, wait a minute...

    Oh well, at least there is beer.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • deimosjohnny
    deimosjohnny Posts: 135
    We are heading to the finish area in Harrogate. My parents live there and there will be quite a lot on here apparently, assume there will be some big screens to follow the race.
  • thefog
    thefog Posts: 197
    deimosjohnny wrote:
    We are heading to the finish area in Harrogate. My parents live there and there will be quite a lot on here apparently, assume there will be some big screens to follow the race.


    4 screens in Harrogate on stage 1.

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