Author Topic: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?  (Read 13451 times)

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #25 on: 15 December, 2012, 02:39:57 pm »
Disappointing that the British Cycling-backed Edinburgh-Wales-England bid didn't win tbh, I think that would have been much more of a spectacle.

Being a dim witted Yorkshireman perhaps you could explain to me in simple terms why you think that.

eck

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Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #26 on: 15 December, 2012, 03:24:44 pm »
Ah yes, Leeds, the Athens of the North. A much more spectacular city than Edinburgh.
It's a bit weird, but actually quite wonderful.

David Martin

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Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #27 on: 15 December, 2012, 05:33:45 pm »
This is for 2014 when anything north of the border will be overshadowed by the Commie games?

"By creating we think. By living we learn" - Patrick Geddes

Karla

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Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #28 on: 15 December, 2012, 07:23:29 pm »
Disappointing that the British Cycling-backed Edinburgh-Wales-England bid didn't win tbh, I think that would have been much more of a spectacle.

Being a dim witted Yorkshireman perhaps you could explain to me in simple terms why you think that.

Because he's Welsh!

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #29 on: 16 December, 2012, 11:55:16 am »
Disappointing that the British Cycling-backed Edinburgh-Wales-England bid didn't win tbh, I think that would have been much more of a spectacle.

Being a dim witted Yorkshireman perhaps you could explain to me in simple terms why you think that.
Because a Grande Depart in Edinburgh (and celebrating the Auld Alliance) would be spectacular in a way that Leeds is never going to be able to match. Also a run down to London could have taken in Yorkshire, but also the Borders and some of the most beautiful scenery found south of the Central Belt. Obviously it'd be even better if they started in Inverness, but you can't have everything.

TBH, I think one of the reasons for the Yorks start is that it's only 3 stages before they get to France rather than the 5 that BC had been working on.
Allow me to explain through the medium of interpretive dance

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #30 on: 16 December, 2012, 12:11:56 pm »
I wonder what the route will be ? I am guessing they will do a loop from Leeds into he Dales and include Harewood house and Harrogate for the first day and then on the second day maybe a York start and across the Moors maybe via Castle Howard. the A169 Pickering to Whitby would be good to include.
I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that.

Rhys W

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Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #31 on: 16 December, 2012, 06:49:05 pm »
Disappointing that the British Cycling-backed Edinburgh-Wales-England bid didn't win tbh, I think that would have been much more of a spectacle.

Being a dim witted Yorkshireman perhaps you could explain to me in simple terms why you think that.

Because he's Welsh!

  ;D

I also spent a few years working in Edinburgh, and enjoyed the cycling scene there and made a lot of friends. The new velodrome will start a resurgence in bike racing in the area so they'd be guaranteed big crowds - as they would in Wales (see the Caerphilly Mountain Taffosi). Wales and Scotland are used to being left out of the Tour of Britain on alternate years so this would be a chance to make an inclusive Tour start.

Whenever I express this opinion I'm greeted by the strange sight of Yorkshiremen telling me to cheer up... Are they going to rename it the Tour t'France?   :P

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #32 on: 16 December, 2012, 06:56:18 pm »
Perhaps the TdF organisers were concerned that a final sprint down Princes Street might be jeopardised by the tram lines.

Karla

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Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #33 on: 16 December, 2012, 09:25:37 pm »
Suggestion from today's club run: prologue up the Rake.

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #34 on: 17 December, 2012, 06:56:48 pm »
Well this could be a little competition for when you've eaten the Christmas pudding and settled down in your armchair.   Design a route for Stage 1 Leeds - Scarborough, Stage 2 York - Sheffield.
Presumably they will want it to be a showcase that will attract as many people as possible and they won't want there to be anything that will rule out any of the favourites at such an early stage.
Who can get nearest to the actual stages which will be made public in the middle of January.

Karla

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Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #35 on: 17 December, 2012, 11:27:00 pm »
Are you going to Scarborough fair?

Yes, at 25mph, but not up Sutton Bank 'cos that would be far too selective.

Also, how about this for a York - Sheffield stage?  I can dream ...

fuzzy

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #36 on: 18 December, 2012, 11:18:53 am »
You missed the opportunity to head a little South and East and ride accross the Humber Bridge. The heli shots of the peleton crossing the suspension bridge would be awesome.

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #37 on: 18 December, 2012, 12:00:28 pm »
Yes but the other side of the bridge isn't in Yorkshire ...
I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that.

tiermat

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Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #38 on: 18 December, 2012, 12:05:16 pm »
Yes but the other side of the bridge isn't in Yorkshire ...

Neither side is in Yorkshire! ;D
I feel like Captain Kirk, on a brand new planet every day, a little like King Kong on top of the Empire State

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #39 on: 18 December, 2012, 12:08:57 pm »
I wouldn't bother with Sheffield. Getting from York to Sheffield would waste too many miles on an uninspiring route. Nothing wrong with Sheffield its just taht with only tow days it would eat up too much time. If there was a third then a  a Sheffield Peak district loop would be great.
I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that.

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #40 on: 18 December, 2012, 12:11:04 pm »
Yes but the other side of the bridge isn't in Yorkshire ...

Neither side is in Yorkshire! ;D

The north side is in East Yorkshire.
I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that.

tiermat

  • According to Jane, I'm a Unisex SpaceAdmin
Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #41 on: 18 December, 2012, 12:16:44 pm »
Yes but the other side of the bridge isn't in Yorkshire ...

Neither side is in Yorkshire! ;D

The north side is in East Yorkshire.

AKA Humberside....

(I know, it is officially East Yorkshire, but they wanted to disassociate themselves from Yorkshire, and it will ALWAYS be Humberside to me, plus it is a very easy way to wind up anyone who lives there that actually cares, hence the smiley)
I feel like Captain Kirk, on a brand new planet every day, a little like King Kong on top of the Empire State

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #42 on: 18 December, 2012, 12:24:30 pm »
(I know, it is officially East Yorkshire, but they wanted to disassociate themselves from Yorkshire, and it will ALWAYS be Humberside to me, plus it is a very easy way to wind up anyone who lives there that actually cares, hence the smiley)

Hardly anybody wanted to be in Humberside. There was a huge campaign to get rid of Humberside from the moment it was formed.
I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that.

Karla

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Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #43 on: 18 December, 2012, 04:15:48 pm »
You missed the opportunity to head a little South and East and ride accross the Humber Bridge. The heli shots of the peleton crossing the suspension bridge would be awesome.

I see your Humber Bridge and raise you this, this and this

It'll never happen, they're far to selective.

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #44 on: 19 December, 2012, 08:43:52 am »
The reason I suggested Leeds-Scarborough and York -Sheffield is that I've seen that suggested on some other site, but I can't find it again.   Feel free to offer other suggestions.
I think Sheffield is likely because they will want to be heading south, I think it is highly likely that Holme Moss will be included on the second stage, do any of you remember the "Wincanton Classic" which evolved into the "Leeds Classic".   The route went from Leeds via several local climbs to a circuit which included Holme Moss and then went very near Sheffield before looping back to Leeds.
There has also been a suggestion that Mirfield/Huddersfield will be included to "honour" Brian Robinson which would also suggest Holme Moss.   

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #45 on: 19 December, 2012, 07:25:08 pm »
I'd be interested to know what category the famous Yorkshire climbs would come into. I have a gut feeling that there isn't anything above Cat 3.
http://www.examiner.com/article/tour-de-france-postcard-to-climb-a-mountain-and-categorize-it

clarion

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Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #46 on: 20 December, 2012, 10:03:29 am »
I'd be very surprised if there were.  The very steep ones are  not very long.  The long ones are not Alpine steep (nor Alpine length, I should add).
Getting there...

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #47 on: 20 December, 2012, 12:11:44 pm »
I'd be interested to know what category the famous Yorkshire climbs would come into. I have a gut feeling that there isn't anything above Cat 3.
http://www.examiner.com/article/tour-de-france-postcard-to-climb-a-mountain-and-categorize-it

Rosedale Chimney - cerainly Cat 1 on the Milk Race I think (but my memory may be getting fuzzy)

clarion

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Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #48 on: 20 December, 2012, 12:30:48 pm »
Not long enough, surely? ???

Perhaps Milk Race Categories are different.  I don't know.
Getting there...

Re: 5 Tour stages in the UK in 2014 or 2015?
« Reply #49 on: 20 December, 2012, 12:34:38 pm »
I'd be very surprised if there were.  The very steep ones are  not very long.  The long ones are not Alpine steep (nor Alpine length, I should add).

I heard Charlie Wegalius say words to that effect once re training when staying back in North Yorkshire, the steep ones are too short and the long ones are too shallow. He couldn't get any decent training in (being a climbing specialist).
I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that.