Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: SoreTween on 03 September, 2016, 11:13:27 am

Title: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: SoreTween on 03 September, 2016, 11:13:27 am
Anyone watching?  I've booked Thursday off an I'm planning to watch at the Speech House climb. 

If the weather is decent I might have a go at seeing them again at Westerleigh though  2 hours to get home (7km), drop MTB, drive to Chepstow and pedal the road bike 25km will be tight.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: mcshroom on 03 September, 2016, 11:22:07 am
I've booked Monday off and I think I'll head for Whinlatter or Dunmail Raise
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: David Martin on 03 September, 2016, 08:50:47 pm
Saw Mark Stewart (GB) on Tuesday and he is on form and really looking forward to it. Hope he can make a bit of a mark on the only Scottish stage.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2016, 10:44:51 pm
I'll be there on Saturday, wearing a Tour t-shirt and a hiviz vest!
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 03 September, 2016, 11:00:53 pm
I'm planning to go and have a look near the start tomorrow.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: mcshroom on 04 September, 2016, 03:47:52 pm
Messy end to that stage, including a Pinerello snapped in two! :o
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Andrew on 05 September, 2016, 04:46:18 pm
Brutal stage today. The Struggle looks, um, a struggle. And the descent - well, technical is the word used that somehow doesn't convey the fear factor. Cummings put in one helluvan effort today. Chapeau that man.

Anyone know why Cavendish chose to stop and 'have a word' with a spectator?
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: David Martin on 05 September, 2016, 05:01:14 pm
It didn't look like a 'Hi mate, how is it going?' sort of chat.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: mcshroom on 05 September, 2016, 06:18:40 pm
I almost got very up close and personal with a One Pro cycling rider who came off of the tarmac and skidded over the gravel straight at me today. Next time I'll make sure I'm not blocked from moving even further off line by someone's parked car.

After they'd gone I rode up too, but the gantry over the top of the KoM climb had already been taken down by the time I got up there :(

If anyone was watching I was in a long sleeved yellow YACF jersey at the bottom of Whinlatter Pass :)

A couple pictures from today: -
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14232561_10157692014485643_4858017588907359926_n.jpg?oh=01be55d16cd9ea0964e364c325e7c2dc&oe=5848DBDC)
The breakaway

(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14225461_10157692014640643_4172869327540272092_n.jpg?oh=5f9e8d067b35b7f0adcde8addce1442f&oe=584087CA)
The peloton

Oh and I met Adamski's dad (and his pet dog). I just happened to pick the same layby to stand in :)
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: SoreTween on 05 September, 2016, 08:24:29 pm
If anyone was watching I was in a long sleeved yellow YACF jersey at the bottom of Whinlatter Pass :)
You'd best pop over to tenuous claims to fame & check in, your back got a good few seconds on screen ;D
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: mcshroom on 05 September, 2016, 08:33:35 pm
If anyone was watching I was in a long sleeved yellow YACF jersey at the bottom of Whinlatter Pass :)
You'd best pop over to tenuous claims to fame & check in, your back got a good few seconds on screen ;D
Those chevrons really do stand out don't they :D

[edit]
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GMcu8eB7O_xmAzd3gNHpHCMx7mWbNsYyd1ltSClwT4DjtGeCwyJuenM_K43elokdM79UDZP1ZVkmr_jMXWRTQmmywKkq2AsKQfr80DmJXpiSVKgKYlE9xnEwnMdfuoHJC754W7MrrFdzeKAkcXxti6RT0j7IEV2nMzOKJ1X9NRvMeOC4NTv1oEmRvI0S4cCj4ZJKZ3jk6IjNDG60IAYgdswVlISItu9FEwNAxR1ycLU9dSOCqbpc2NWbC-u5QB-k9XAMFdFYYmnn13-oIiO5ec13aXtwLslsDJ4FNTyBJvg_NodD8CvWd-m4nBR1Rgj2eIz9RUMQ4KCNM7xfVfXKE-hgCEN-Ep7RB9dynlqGzPv396Foq5cUP0y1pooxcvnH9bzVjRwvbK-dD9iTf1RxPtHQl9C0j2ec0cE_tERTSz0ZUiPRj6iWhIh2a9G1rjz_STMYiB7qyWDrnLTGxDVs9GeIfT1vHwlW6J3dxsAa55bg0oNGqMhLhxr6in-Xj5BH0yfgxCAqTdpGd--JJitHhMD9ozgHSAF_-fDD70723yHiulINGJMd4z0i29xEiHTQmQ_Re90KKaqKSYPD3USgvC5jUuWZ4VbONamgrxp_3GAR5hm1=w1170-h643-no)
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: spesh on 05 September, 2016, 09:08:37 pm
Anyone know why Cavendish chose to stop and 'have a word' with a spectator?

Comment I saw elsewhere suggests that said spectator (who was getting some dirty looks from another whilst being upbraided by Cav) had probably been acting like the surfeit of raging throbbers that we see on the TdF, who appear more interested in getting on the telly than in the race itself.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: mcshroom on 05 September, 2016, 11:12:21 pm
One thing I've just remembered from today - Why is there a Fire engine in the caravan? Ambulances I can understand, but there was a full sized red tender engine at the back of the ride today ???
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: rafletcher on 06 September, 2016, 10:50:45 am
"Wiggins, in his Instagram post used "#onetoomanyginandtonics" as a potential reason for his struggles."

What a dick.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Riggers on 06 September, 2016, 11:28:14 am
Put it on yesterday afternoon, and thought "That's a tad wet!" though very interesting, from a punishing route from what I was seeing. undulating, and some very sharp nasty climbs, that (looked to me) to progressively, be going more and more upwards! When the summit was reached, I kept thinking for those descending "Take it easy chaps, have a care!!" Especially, as you saw them constantly crossing backwards and forwards over those blessed 'white' lines and chevrons on the roads.

I guess Cummings kind of knew (about the last few hundred yards or so) that unless he could drop the young Belgium chap, the blighter would have him on the climb to the finish!
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: simonp on 06 September, 2016, 11:41:29 am
One thing I've just remembered from today - Why is there a Fire engine in the caravan? Ambulances I can understand, but there was a full sized red tender engine at the back of the ride today ???

I'd guess for rescue equipment. And for if a moto crashes and bursts into flames...
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: spesh on 06 September, 2016, 12:56:16 pm
"Wiggins, in his Instagram post used "#onetoomanyginandtonics" as a potential reason for his struggles."

What a dick.

If memory serves, it's not the first ToB where Wiggo's been sub-par due to a surfeit of celebratory drinkies after a successful summer.   :demon:
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Andrew on 06 September, 2016, 03:13:06 pm
Does Stannard always ride like that? Periodically, he flicks his knees out. He's either trying to relieve some discomfort or he's got a most curious style.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Andrew on 06 September, 2016, 03:34:16 pm
Commentators just answered my question. Seemingly it's his style. They reckon he might be repositioning himself on the saddle.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Andrew on 06 September, 2016, 03:44:01 pm
Gotta say, not too sure about the finish here (Tatton Park?)

It's narrow for a distance with barriers. When the peleton arrives, it could be tight. Fingers crossed that my concerns are unfounded.

Edit: fortunately my fears were unfounded. The peleton was stretched out by the time they got into the last few km.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Andrew on 06 September, 2016, 03:53:52 pm
 ;D got to laugh! I can't watch tomorrow, the French commentators inform me, because they're covering petanque tomorrow! Shame, it would have been a stage I would have been interested in watching. Oh well. Back for Thursday's stage.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: essexian on 06 September, 2016, 05:50:05 pm
Took the London Midland train to Alsager today for stage 3 arriving 15 minutes before the breakaway. I must say the crowds were rather epic and good natured cheering any one on a bike along; including me! That of course changed when the roads opened again sadly!

After the Broom Wagon (with NO broom!!!! That just isn't good enough), I had around forty minutes to make it to Sandbach... according to my mapping software it around 5 mile....how comes my Garmin says it was nearer 7? Anyway, further epic crowds around the town centre made very smelly by a convoy of muck spreading tractors which headed north a few minutes before the road closed!

I had considered heading further north to Tatton Park but trying to get home afterwards would involve using Crosscountry trains and their dankly (the spell checker offered this as an option: I liked it!) bike spaces so I retraced my pedal turns back to Alsager and home in time to watch the last hour of the race.

Overall, its a huge step up from where the race was 10 years ago when there was just me and a dog at the top of Jiggers Bank. Let hope it lasts but will it?

Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: bikenrrd on 07 September, 2016, 09:34:26 am
"Wiggins, in his Instagram post used "#onetoomanyginandtonics" as a potential reason for his struggles."

What a dick.

You do realise he was playing to the crowd, don't you?

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/tour-of-britain/bradley-wiggins-runs-tour-britain-climb-282398
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: rafletcher on 07 September, 2016, 10:18:10 am
"Wiggins, in his Instagram post used "#onetoomanyginandtonics" as a potential reason for his struggles."

What a dick.

You do realise he was playing to the crowd, don't you?

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/tour-of-britain/bradley-wiggins-runs-tour-britain-climb-282398

My opinion remains the same.  And if he wants to piss around why bother riding? This is after all meant to be a fairly prestigious event for British cycling. Perhaps he could have offered a place to one of his other riders? Or maybe team, Wiggins only get an invite because of his presence. I wonder how long that will last?  Or indeed Team Wiggins.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: mattc on 07 September, 2016, 11:18:02 am
Or maybe team  Wiggins only get an invite because of his presence.
Clearly if Wiggo gets them through the door, he is doing something right. despite your dislike of him.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Peter on 07 September, 2016, 11:20:45 am
Yes, it's all just entertainment, really.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: trekker12 on 07 September, 2016, 12:11:22 pm
It's not very different from a second rate team spending the day in the TDF on a pointless escape that's bound to be doomed within 10km of the finish. As long as it's in front of the cameras and the sponsors get coverage, and Wiggo gets a LOT of coverage no matter what he does then it's OK.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Rhys W on 08 September, 2016, 12:05:10 am
"Wiggins, in his Instagram post used "#onetoomanyginandtonics" as a potential reason for his struggles."

What a dick.

You do realise he was playing to the crowd, don't you?

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/tour-of-britain/bradley-wiggins-runs-tour-britain-climb-282398

My opinion remains the same.  And if he wants to piss around why bother riding? This is after all meant to be a fairly prestigious event for British cycling. Perhaps he could have offered a place to one of his other riders? Or maybe team, Wiggins only get an invite because of his presence. I wonder how long that will last?  Or indeed Team Wiggins.

Team Wiggins was put together mainly for the Olympic team pursuit riders, which came back with the gold medal. This will be his last road race before he bows out at the Gent Six Day (for understandable reasons). Of course Team Wiggins is at its end, they've achieved what they set out to do and more (launched Owain Doull into a career with Team Sky for instance). I for one enjoy his end of term tomfoolery.


Anyway, I'll be at the intermediate sprint at Usk tomorrow.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Jaded on 08 September, 2016, 12:16:54 am
Yes, it's all just entertainment, really.
l remember seeing  Nureyev at Covent Garden not long before he stopped performing and subsequently died. He was shit. A lumpen elephant soaking the atmosphere. The audience loved him, every second. I saw him.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 08 September, 2016, 11:27:26 am

After the Broom Wagon (with NO broom!!!! That just isn't good enough)


I was disappointed by that, too, in stage 1. Forget the cycling, I wanted to see the broom! :'(
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: David Martin on 08 September, 2016, 12:01:35 pm

Team Wiggins was put together mainly for the Olympic team pursuit riders, which came back with the gold medal. This will be his last road race before he bows out at the Gent Six Day (for understandable reasons). Of course Team Wiggins is at its end, they've achieved what they set out to do and more (launched Owain Doull into a career with Team Sky for instance). I for one enjoy his end of term tomfoolery.

Anyway, I'll be at the intermediate sprint at Usk tomorrow.

Is it actually folding? I am not sure (talking to someone who may be riding for them next season).
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: perpetual dan on 10 September, 2016, 05:03:40 pm
Catching up on recorded programmes today - should be in London tomorrow.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 September, 2016, 07:47:24 pm
I was at the Bristol stage today. It was noticeable how much quicker the later starters were in the morning TT, and then in the afternoon circuit race – well, it went from smooth to fragmented explosion on the final lap!
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: RichMoss on 11 September, 2016, 10:20:23 am

Team Wiggins was put together mainly for the Olympic team pursuit riders, which came back with the gold medal. This will be his last road race before he bows out at the Gent Six Day (for understandable reasons). Of course Team Wiggins is at its end, they've achieved what they set out to do and more (launched Owain Doull into a career with Team Sky for instance). I for one enjoy his end of term tomfoolery.

Anyway, I'll be at the intermediate sprint at Usk tomorrow.

Is it actually folding? I am not sure (talking to someone who may be riding for them next season).
It seems like he "sees his future as a team owner" and is aiming to launch a women's team
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/olympics/bradley-wiggins-plans-womens-team-wiggins-275121 (http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/olympics/bradley-wiggins-plans-womens-team-wiggins-275121)
Will be interesting to watch - but these things always depend on funding...
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Ben T on 12 September, 2016, 12:07:27 am
few pics from london: https://goo.gl/photos/1XWvNr4hSPW32BJU7

most of them are of the breakaway group of 4 that was leading for most of the race of Taylor Phinney, Tom Stewart, Jasper Bovenhuis and (I think) Alex Edmondson? (the one who looks really young). They extended their lead from 30s to about 50s but Bovenhuis was later dropped and the other 3 were eventually enveloped into the pack.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jW0Qv1gPNWq7vqCI_Nfu-eWwY72UEnaYR5udL_p3WqyS0Da0T-nNBNHU0YB-IWDt3nHlvgdoL4kuEZTVdfdDp5W_n1jEIvSGB6s0oUHnFCV7fywmk4Yea3c6ezPqgmaxrkPZa7PobzVbTKZMvxn0rC3QVh5O6F9syQxyg81WkMtq7FwAeheO8C5dEVkaJ2srUWpTHykd_DhMtJSg6ci98bCGPx3ZuTrBZfBRhcah7aA1hYJ-orMiEFCGj_E7evwZmDBnrm0LiDegmqOJCI9x0o_lJ6vfI0K0bxiuihEJM5YafCtR_bMnu1dRQ2sgGfOuD3oAJgwnd8oQP5eyU2QGnLxLVqWC4aqbA-eGaVoDI49-4TFZjab-pu5kHGwk3LWTxPQPW85QngMQfoaoYm-8qxmM8fBRL4nFKngqOEFtZ19ujy8y_gjYYZ87PtfTWrrc6B7K2OlsxJtVItAzMX6zL0qT0vkWuAaLU7JkvuKHslQG_XFbH6Ur3RG1OQlIYzexR1nseN8FUGZNSqGdUytQ6ZRoXoXZk12TFVSQWGCDuAgBD9TiplHPKOJL4SDNrKLG5xbQ80wmHcKIe8C29rpFKz76WMDxHtoqzF-qpxhSEWjM5y4u=w1696-h1273-no)

Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Jaded on 12 September, 2016, 05:50:27 am
Is that with your new camera, Ben? Very impressive that one  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Ben T on 12 September, 2016, 09:34:43 am
yes it was, cheers  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: perpetual dan on 13 September, 2016, 09:01:01 pm
Very nice. My panning didn't really work out, but here's a few from me http://blog.a-dan.me.uk/2016/09/tour-of-britain-2016/ (http://blog.a-dan.me.uk/2016/09/tour-of-britain-2016/)

(http://blog.a-dan.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/1080145.jpg)
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: Ben T on 14 September, 2016, 09:53:14 am
Very nice  :thumbsup:
Very nice. My panning didn't really work out,

Nah, it's quite hard isn't it... a lot of mine didn't, that was the best of many...
I'm no expert but I think they've got to be basically going across you, i.e. not towards you or away from you.
Title: Re: Tour of Britain 2016
Post by: perpetual dan on 14 September, 2016, 06:32:45 pm
I was mostly on the turn by Westminster, so panning not really required for the most part. When we moved up the street a bit the speed was high enough that my few attempts didn't work out.