TdF - Where you watching from?

Kieran_Burns

mrbobuk wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Side of road somewhere nr Ripon and then somewhere in Sheffield the next day. How the hell I'm going to get from Ripon to Sheffield I have *no* idea. It could involve every back lane I'm told about.

We're watching from Harrogate Kieran on Saturday (the kids and me). Cannae wait!

Not sure how you're going to get into the town centre though. I'm lucky as I have friends who live 1/2 mile from the route. I'm leaving to go about 2pm this afternoon, so drinks in the back garden and wander down at some point tomorrow

mtb-idle

Rick Chasey wrote:

Will be at the start in Cambridge - my home town.

I thought you were Dutch?

CiB

msmancunia wrote:

CiB wrote:

Saturday anywhere on the stretch of route from around Addingham as far maybe as Grassington, Sunday my plan for months has been to have another roll up Blackstone Edge to the top of Cragg Vale but it sounds like the whole world is aiming for that one corner. Blow it. It's my favourite hill, I'll be there.

I'd be there too if it wasn't for friends all off to Holme Moss so I'm going with them. I read in the Manchester Evening News that there are going to be shuttle buses going from Littleborough to the top of Blackstone Edge so it's likely to be mental - maybe go down Cragg Vale a bit? Caravan hits Cragg Vale at 1159 and then the race between 1342 and 1358.

The landlord at the White House is expecting to sell around 5,000 pints :shock:

I thought I'd had my last ride up there a couple of years ago after the in-laws moved away so this seemed like a good excuse for another roll up there. I did hear that Rochdale Council had lots of signs around the town announcing that the tour was 'coming this way', even though The White House at over 5 miles away is the closest it gets.

mtb-idle

Bobbygloss wrote:

Excuse my ignorance of watching pro cycling, but what on earth are people going to do all day if they arrive early and get the best spot? The riders aren't coming until 4pm.
The one time I nearly saw part of a stage in France, I gave up and left in the hours after the caravan had been through.

Fair question: they generally relax, people watch, meet new people, enjoy themselves, the spectacle, being part of the biggest sporting event in the world.

Or failing that they just get hammered

rick_chasey

MTB-Idle wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Will be at the start in Cambridge - my home town.

I thought you were Dutch?

Yup.

lancew

rubertoe wrote:

Lancew wrote:

I was going to head to the mall.

Aiming to get there by 11. Do you think that's early enough?

No

What do you think then? 9am? I'm not overly fussed about being front row finish line, I just want to be somewhere that I can see. And being 6ft tall I should be able to see from a fair way back. Maybe I should bring a little step....

mrbobuk

Kieran_Burns wrote:

mrbobuk wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Side of road somewhere nr Ripon and then somewhere in Sheffield the next day. How the hell I'm going to get from Ripon to Sheffield I have *no* idea. It could involve every back lane I'm told about.

We're watching from Harrogate Kieran on Saturday (the kids and me). Cannae wait!

Not sure how you're going to get into the town centre though. I'm lucky as I have friends who live 1/2 mile from the route. I'm leaving to go about 2pm this afternoon, so drinks in the back garden and wander down at some point tomorrow

Setting off early, park up and walk the 20 mins to the fan park. Bob-on duck!

corriebee1

My office backs onto Parkers Piece (Regents Terrace) and Gonville Place in Cambridge. We recently acquired one of the flats on the first floor, overlooking Gonville Place literally 30 yards in front of the start line. We're hosting a breakfast (before) and then a BBQ (after) for business contacts and consultants.

I can't quite believe my luck! We're going to have a first floor view of all the warm-up stuff, the start of the stage and then can mill around in our own courtyard car-park drinking free beer. Might be a slightly wobbly cycle home!

xscreamsuk

Riding out to Strines area early on Sunday and will pitch up wherever we can get a decent spot. Will then ride the route to the finish once it re-opens to bikes.

msmancunia

CiB wrote:

msmancunia wrote:

CiB wrote:

Saturday anywhere on the stretch of route from around Addingham as far maybe as Grassington, Sunday my plan for months has been to have another roll up Blackstone Edge to the top of Cragg Vale but it sounds like the whole world is aiming for that one corner. Blow it. It's my favourite hill, I'll be there.

I'd be there too if it wasn't for friends all off to Holme Moss so I'm going with them. I read in the Manchester Evening News that there are going to be shuttle buses going from Littleborough to the top of Blackstone Edge so it's likely to be mental - maybe go down Cragg Vale a bit? Caravan hits Cragg Vale at 1159 and then the race between 1342 and 1358.

The landlord at the White House is expecting to sell around 5,000 pints :shock:

I thought I'd had my last ride up there a couple of years ago after the in-laws moved away so this seemed like a good excuse for another roll up there. I did hear that Rochdale Council had lots of signs around the town announcing that the tour was 'coming this way', even though The White House at over 5 miles away is the closest it gets.

Yes, there are loads! There's been a massive sign on Halifax Road as you come into Rochdale for months, and the MEN has a load of articles about the "Tour coming to Greater Manchester" which I'm sure the Yorkies are really happy about. Apparently it's only touches the Rochdale boundaries for a kilometre!

Thinking of nipping up there for a ride later Saturday PM when I get back from Leeds, as I won't see it on the day as I'll be up th'Moss. May as well ride on a pot-hole free Cragg Vale whilst I've got the chance!

rubertoe

Lancew wrote:

rubertoe wrote:

Lancew wrote:

I was going to head to the mall.

Aiming to get there by 11. Do you think that's early enough?

No

What do you think then? 9am? I'm not overly fussed about being front row finish line, I just want to be somewhere that I can see. And being 6ft tall I should be able to see from a fair way back. Maybe I should bring a little step....

11 am Should be fine to be honest - although you might not get on the mall, its probably reserved for VIPs and the like.

if not the mall - then Birdcage walk or Parliament square. and failing that the big screen in trafalger square.

gabriel959

Rick Chasey wrote:

MTB-Idle wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Will be at the start in Cambridge - my home town.

I thought you were Dutch?

Yup.

smallest dutch I know! FACT! :twisted:

gabriel959

I will be watching the race at Great Shelford most likely with my family. I will then go down to Saffron Walden on my bike for an interview with ITV (to be confirmed).

elbowloh

Well. I myself will be riding stage 18 on the 19th July and as part of the trip will be watching stage 16 somewhere along the route (not sure where, the bike shop I'm going with is organising it).

rubertoe

elbowloh wrote:

Well. I myself will be riding stage 18 on the 19th July and as part of the trip will be watching stage 16 somewhere along the route (not sure where, the bike shop I'm going with is organising it).

That is a pretty impressive, your going with a whole shop.

See you on monday.

corriebee1

Just finalising plans for Monday

What rough time do people reckon the finish will be?

elbowloh

rubertoe wrote:

elbowloh wrote:

Well. I myself will be riding stage 18 on the 19th July and as part of the trip will be watching stage 16 somewhere along the route (not sure where, the bike shop I'm going with is organising it).

That is a pretty impressive, your going with a whole shop.

See you on monday.

Do you think it'll go in hand luggage?

Yep, see you Monday!

gabriel959

gabriel959 wrote:

I will be watching the race at Great Shelford most likely with my family. I will then go down to Saffron Walden on my bike for an interview with ITV (to be confirmed).

So, yes, we will be live on ITV News on Monday at 6pm :oops:

arran77

MTB-Idle wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Will be at the start in Cambridge - my home town.

I thought you were Dutch?

That would explain a few things

Kieran_Burns

Watch for a camper van on the side of the Ripon bypass, that'll be us

msmancunia

corriebee1 wrote:

Just finalising plans for Monday

What rough time do people reckon the finish will be?

According to my bible, timings for Greater London as follows:
(It gives three times depending on speed, weather etc)

Redbridge: 1456. 1503. 1510
Walthamstow: 1504. 1511. 1519
Leyton: 1509. 1517. 1525
Olympic Park: 1511. 1518. 1526
Limehouse Link: 1532. 1541. 1550
London: 1542. 1551. 1601

Caravane due roughly 100 mins before these - don't forget to wave at the British Cycling car

sloppyschleckonds

menthel

Ooh, the lotto belisol bikes are very pretty!

Allez Mark

Cycled to Grinton Moor today. Got there nice and early. Got a good spot. It was bloody freezing early on but the red wine kept me warm. Amazing atmosphere. We were at the point right where Voigt got caught. What a great day.

rolf_f

50m from the finish line in Harrogate getting lathered!

Great fun, great atmosphere (though, bizarrely, the Yorkshire Tea lorry almost got the biggest applause of the day!) even if the result wasn't what the crowd had hoped for.

Also awesome cycling up through Leeds to Pool on the closed roads - one of the best bits of the day. Don't miss out if you get the chance. I got cheers and applause as I crested the summit of the Cote de Scott Hall Road!




And do make sure you lock your nice 531 framed step through to something solid. Wouldn't want it to go missing would we?

Kieran_Burns

Sat at the top of Jenkin Road, the caravanne struggled and got split up! Huge crowd here, I'm about 200m from the summit on the grassy knoll.

itboffin

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Sat at the top of Jenkin Road, the caravanne struggled and got split up! Huge crowd here, I'm about 200m from the summit on the grassy knoll.

Sniper's rifle at the ready?

EKE_38BPM

I'll be getting paid to be at the Olympic Park, watching the stage on the big screen, then walking about twenty metres to watch them come past.

supersonic

Was an amazing day out. So many people. A credit to the organisers, the fans and Yorkshire.

Beautiful view from top of Jawbone down to Oughtibridge.

itboffin

how did you add that pic?