Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: Robh on 27 March, 2014, 11:08:14 pm

Title: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Robh on 27 March, 2014, 11:08:14 pm
A nice article about how Yorkshire plans to celebrate le grand depart:

http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/mar/27/cycling-art-yorkshire-festival-tour-de-france

Apologies if this has been posted before (I looked, couldn't find it) or if this is the wrong place (so sue me).

Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: hatler on 28 March, 2014, 06:28:37 am
Right place. Great article. Thank you. (And by Tim Moore so it probably was going to be good.) I wonder if his account of cycling the Giro route will match up to French Revolutions.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Tewdric on 28 March, 2014, 07:01:02 am
So is Cookson from Yorkshire then? ;D

I'd rather see the ToB upgraded to 2.HC but the more top line racing we get in the UK the better I guess.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: mcshroom on 28 March, 2014, 08:52:01 am
ToB has been :)

http://road.cc/content/news/110275-tour-britain-upgraded-2hc
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Tewdric on 29 March, 2014, 04:38:54 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 28 March, 2014, 08:52:01 am
ToB has been :)

http://road.cc/content/news/110275-tour-britain-upgraded-2hc

Ah I missed that - great news!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Hot Flatus on 29 March, 2014, 05:36:22 pm
I'll probably be in Hebden Bridge for the second stage
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: red marley on 29 March, 2014, 05:47:42 pm
Just discovered that the Cambridge to London* stage goes within walking distance of home (reverses part of the DunRun route). It would be rude not to take the day off work and cheer them on.


*Apologies for dragging this thread in a London direction, but I assume we don't necessarily want a separate thread for each stage.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: jane on 22 April, 2014, 08:27:10 am
I had been planning to bring my tent up a few days beforehand, find a good fairly central place to camp, ride the routes beforehand and then pick a good place to watch.  However, all the talk of massive crowds, extortionate camping charges, etc, is really putting me off...at 5'2", crowds for me tend to wipe out all possibility of seing anything anyway and they are extra intimidating when you're short.  So, contemplating abandoning my plans.  Sadly, because watching the peloton zoom up and down roads in England that I have ridden myself holds a special attaction, as I'm sure it does for many here.  Anybody still got plans to be there? 
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: tiermat on 22 April, 2014, 08:52:00 am
Being, as we are, not too far from the action on both Saturday and Sunday, my plans are:

Saturday ride out to Ripon (although the corner at Wormald Green might be a better bet), watch the caravan, then the peleton zoom past, then return home (possibly via a pub or two to see what transpires in Harrogate)

Sunday, jump on a train and head to York to watch the start of that day's racing, heading home to watch the finish.

Anyone wanting to use the THoFC camp ground is more than welcome :)

ETA: This site seems pretty comprehensive in details of road closures etc http://hedgehogcycling.co.uk/road-closures-tour-de-france-2014.html
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: TimC on 22 April, 2014, 09:01:22 am
Quote from: jane on 22 April, 2014, 08:27:10 am
I had been planning to bring my tent up a few days beforehand, find a good fairly central place to camp, ride the routes beforehand and then pick a good place to watch.  However, all the talk of massive crowds, extortionate camping charges, etc, is really putting me off...at 5'2", crowds for me tend to wipe out all possibility of seing anything anyway and they are extra intimidating when you're short.  So, contemplating abandoning my plans.  Sadly, because watching the peloton zoom up and down roads in England that I have ridden myself holds a special attaction, as I'm sure it does for many here.  Anybody still got plans to be there? 

The hype surrounding the Yorkshire stages, and the profiteering that's been widely reported, makes the idea of attending quite unattractive to me. However the third stage goes within 20 miles of home, so if I have the day off I will ride to Finchingfield or Bocking to watch the circus flash past if only to say 'I was there'. Of course, if I want to actually keep tabs on what's happening in the race I'll stay at home and watch it on TV!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Rainmaker on 22 April, 2014, 10:52:01 am
Posted by: TimC  Today at 09:01:22 AM

The hype surrounding the Yorkshire stages, and the profiteering that's been widely reported, makes the idea of attending quite unattractive to me

+1   The latest info is that to see the Team Presentation Ceremony at the First Direct Arena on Thurs 3 July the tickets are now available at prices of £45, £55, £65 and £85.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: fuzzy on 22 April, 2014, 10:54:39 am
Quote from: Rainmaker on 22 April, 2014, 10:52:01 am
Posted by: TimC  Today at 09:01:22 AM

The hype surrounding the Yorkshire stages, and the profiteering that's been widely reported, makes the idea of attending quite unattractive to me

+1   The latest info is that to see the Team Presentation Ceremony at the First Direct Arena on Thurs 3 July the tickets are now available at prices of £45, £55, £65 and £85.

What? Charge to see what is a free show everywhere else?

Mind you, rumour has it that Yorkshire folk are a bit thrifty ::-)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Deano on 22 April, 2014, 05:18:01 pm
Yeah, the overly corporate atmosphere went a long way towards putting me off from volunteering.

Little bit of fall-out from one of the training videos:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/tour-de-france-organisers-hit-back-at-ban-on-traditional-yorkshire-greetings-9274936.html

Anyway, I plan to bivvy above Grinton for stage 1, and maybe wander down to York for the start of stage 2.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Hot Flatus on 22 April, 2014, 05:23:17 pm
I'm going to a Tour party on Saturday night, then shambling up Cragg Vale on the Sunday.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: andyoxon on 24 May, 2014, 11:43:46 am
Anyone know if seeing the finish in Harrogate on Saturday is doable without queuing for 24hrs, or having to get into some sort of grandstand enclosure?

I have family in Harrogate and may go up.  On the Sunday was thinking about somewhere on the Knaresborough Rd Harrogate/ Knaresborough itself, as they come through from York,
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: peliroja on 24 May, 2014, 12:06:25 pm
We will be watching with some visiting cyclists from London, who will be bunking on our spare bits of floor that weekend. Woolly will probably be working in the bike shop but he and his boss will nip down the High Street to watch the peloton pass before going back to work.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: tiermat on 24 May, 2014, 04:46:24 pm
Quote from: andyoxon on 24 May, 2014, 11:43:46 am
Anyone know if seeing the finish in Harrogate on Saturday is doable without queuing for 24hrs, or having to get into some sort of grandstand enclosure?

I have family in Harrogate and may go up.  On the Sunday was thinking about somewhere on the Knaresborough Rd Harrogate/ Knaresborough itself, as they come through from York,

From the route I have seen youwill be waiting a long time to see them on the Knaresborough Road. Unless I am mistaken they are coming in via the A61.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: andyoxon on 24 May, 2014, 05:20:35 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 24 May, 2014, 04:46:24 pm
Quote from: andyoxon on 24 May, 2014, 11:43:46 am
Anyone know if seeing the finish in Harrogate on Saturday is doable without queuing for 24hrs, or having to get into some sort of grandstand enclosure?

I have family in Harrogate and may go up.  On the Sunday was thinking about somewhere on the Knaresborough Rd Harrogate/ Knaresborough itself, as they come through from York,

From the route I have seen youwill be waiting a long time to see them on the Knaresborough Road. Unless I am mistaken they are coming in via the A61.

Yes, Saturday - Stage 1 is A61.  Sunday Dy2, from this: http://letour.yorkshire.com/stage-2  looks like A59 'Knaresborough' Harrogate Rd.   :)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: sojournermike on 24 May, 2014, 06:03:21 pm
Sunday I have to decide whether to walk 100yds up the road to see them go past on Skipton Road A59, or ride along Bilton Lane to see them coming up the hill from Knaresborough, or ride out to Blubberhouses to see them climb Kex Gill. Choices choices. I have have several friends camping for the weekend, so we'll land somewhere.

Mike
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: andyoxon on 24 May, 2014, 06:09:29 pm
Quote from: sojournermike on 24 May, 2014, 06:03:21 pm
Sunday I have to decide whether to walk 100yds up the road to see them go past on Skipton Road A59, or ride along Bilton Lane to see them coming up the hill from Knaresborough, or ride out to Blubberhouses to see them climb Kex Gill. Choices choices. I have have several friends camping for the weekend, so we'll land somewhere.

Mike

Thoughts on Saturday's finish?  I'll be just off Wetherby Rd near the Stray (if I go up).
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: sojournermike on 25 May, 2014, 09:13:06 am
Quote from: andyoxon on 24 May, 2014, 06:09:29 pm
Quote from: sojournermike on 24 May, 2014, 06:03:21 pm
Sunday I have to decide whether to walk 100yds up the road to see them go past on Skipton Road A59, or ride along Bilton Lane to see them coming up the hill from Knaresborough, or ride out to Blubberhouses to see them climb Kex Gill. Choices choices. I have have several friends camping for the weekend, so we'll land somewhere.

Mike

Thoughts on Saturday's finish?  I'll be just off Wetherby Rd near the Stray (if I go up).

The finish is along West Park Stray - against the traffic;) -  set up as a great sprint for Cav in front of his mum. There will be grandstands in front of Beech Grove, big screens and loads of people! A mate is planning on spending the day on the Stray and I hope he'll find space for a picnic. I'm sure the atmosphere will be great, but you might struggle to get close enough to the front to see the bikes.

I'd just enjoy the atmosphere and count a view as a bonus.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Wowbagger on 22 June, 2014, 10:46:56 am
The weekend of 5th is out for me because of a niece getting married. I think I am supposed to be teaching on 7th, which is also a massive pain because that's when the Tour uses My Roads, from Cambridge into Chelmsford from the north via Felsted, and then does the Nud Nur through Fyfield and epping Forest.

They are going within a gnat's crotchet of the Littley green compasses. I thing they should be made to stop for a huffer and a couple of pints of Brewer's Gold if they want to see what the real Essex cyclist gets up to. Maybe even a pickled egg and a comedy reindeer costume. I suppose I ought to be out there with my spray can, painting "Allez Ouaobagguerre!" on the tarmac.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: tonyh on 24 June, 2014, 09:28:22 am
4 days left to listen to this Radio 4 piece, on the Tour and cycling history:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0474wk2
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Ham on 24 June, 2014, 10:17:40 am
It may have been around for some time but wasn't on the site a while back - road closure times http://letour.yorkshire.com/travel/travel-information-map
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Riggers on 25 June, 2014, 12:29:01 pm
Could I make an appeal to all those cycling chaps who will be going to watch the Tour In Yokshire, that they wear flat caps. I'd just like certain stereotypes to be reinforced for our foreign chums. And if you can, how about a pipe too! You don't have to actually smoke it, but it would be nice to see either cap or pipe being raised as the peloton pedals pass.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 25 June, 2014, 12:38:25 pm
Starting to get VERY excited about this :)

Will be staying with some other cyclists in Skipton for the weekend, stage 1 comes past the front door of the cottage and it's great for Stage 2 as well.

Think a group of us from my cycling club will be riding into London somewhere for Stage 3, but I'm leaving someone else to sort it out ;)

Will be my first Le Tour experience :)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: David Martin on 25 June, 2014, 03:17:19 pm
And take a whippet with bailer twine as a leash as well.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Riggers on 25 June, 2014, 03:32:58 pm
I do hope some of the French film crews can interview the 'local colour' of dour Yokshire folk: "Ee, nah then. A'oop!" If only Fred Truman was still around. We still have forthright "Ones-and-twos" Boycott I suppose.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 25 June, 2014, 03:36:51 pm
David , you really must study regional habits  in greater depth. Baler twine  has multiple uses mainly to secure ones donkey jacket against incoming draughts or to restrain trousers in danger of vertical collapse. It's main use in Yorkshire (after being released from hay or straw bales)  is for securing field  gates in the closed position.
Whippets are held with pieces of slightly stronger cordage, usually the type of rope that BT use for pulling cables through ducts. This can often be found at the side of the road or in some fella's yard after the cabling has been disposed of for scrap recycling.
Real men use chain between hand and dog collar. (we used to anyway)

Seriously, I drove over to Skipton yesterday and there are LOTS of TDF related flags, bunting and yellow bicycles all along the route.
Yorkshire really has got into the Tour in a big way and I for one am proud and pleased about that.
 Even villages not on the route have put up yellow ribbons and bikes.

Downside is that all the road closure signs are in place as well and that is going to put many people off. Cars parked anywhere near the route will be towed away.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Ham on 25 June, 2014, 03:46:51 pm
Quote from: Lady Cavendish on 25 June, 2014, 12:38:25 pm
Starting to get VERY excited about this :)

Will be staying with some other cyclists in Skipton for the weekend, stage 1 comes past the front door of the cottage and it's great for Stage 2 as well.

Think a group of us from my cycling club will be riding into London somewhere for Stage 3, but I'm leaving someone else to sort it out ;)

Will be my first Le Tour experience :)

Skipton looks like being the yacf posse posing place ;)

I'll be there on Saturday saying hi to wooly, peli and others, staying around Oxenhope, for the Cote D'Oxenhope on Sunday.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: hatler on 25 June, 2014, 04:08:43 pm
The hatlers will be in Heptonstall. Still trying to work out the exact plan for the two days.

Really really looking forward to it.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: tiermat on 25 June, 2014, 04:17:01 pm
As previously mentioned I am going to Ripon Day 1, York Day 2 (with family on day 2).

Others who have expressed an interest in a gentle pootle out to Ripon on Day one are falling by the wayside, so I may be on my Jack Jones.  If so and you are watching it on the TV, watch out for a lone YACF shirt as they whizz through Ripon...
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Psychler on 25 June, 2014, 05:06:19 pm
I'll be camping with eldest Miss Psychler and possibly youngest Miss Psychler and boyfriend [Mrs Psychler has an aversion to camping and outdoor life] at Ripon Rugby club on Friday and Saturday nights. 

We'll watch Saturday's stage at Ripon, drive to intercept stage 2 somewhere on our way home on Sunday [don't know where yet] and on Monday I shall pootle up to Willingale to watch stage 3 fly by!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Hot Flatus on 25 June, 2014, 05:27:32 pm
I'll be staying near Hebden Bridge
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: tiermat on 25 June, 2014, 06:39:39 pm
Quote from: Psychler on 25 June, 2014, 05:06:19 pm
I'll be camping with eldest Miss Psychler and possibly youngest Miss Psychler and boyfriend [Mrs Psychler has an aversion to camping and outdoor life] at Ripon Rugby club on Friday and Saturday nights. 

We'll watch Saturday's stage at Ripon, drive to intercept stage 2 somewhere on our way home on Sunday [don't know where yet] and on Monday I shall pootle up to Willingale to watch stage 3 fly by!

Wave/come over and say hello if you happen to see a long haired bloke, green Inbred 29er with drops and a YACF shirt. As previously mentioned, I will probably be in the market place shortly after they fly through town (having spent the rest of the time sat out by the river)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 25 June, 2014, 06:57:04 pm
Sorry , but the Riponians OTP will be heading upcountry, possibly Grinton Bank or even Buttertubs.
I just think that the peloton will be travelling so fast as they can smell the finish line by then.
 If you watch the race on the by-pass there probably won't even  be time to get to the market place  to see the finish on the big screen.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: tiermat on 25 June, 2014, 07:52:00 pm
Quote from: madcow on 25 June, 2014, 06:57:04 pm
Sorry , but the Riponians OTP will be heading upcountry, possibly Grinton Bank or even Buttertubs.
I just think that the peloton will be travelling so fast as they can smell the finish line by then.
 If you watch the race on the by-pass there probably won't even  be time to get to the market place  to see the finish on the big screen.

Ripon is 20k to go, so 30 minutes at most, probably more like 20. enough time to get from the fire station into the market place (though, obviously, not enough to get a drink!)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: billplumtree on 25 June, 2014, 09:16:29 pm
Quote from: madcow on 25 June, 2014, 03:36:51 pm
David , you really must study regional habits  in greater depth. ...
the type of rope that BT use for pulling cables through ducts. This can often be found at the side of the road or in some fella's yard after the cabling has been disposed of for scrap recycling.

Oi! That's my washing line you're talking about there...

Back on topic, I'm vaguely entertaining the idea of joining the scrum on Buttertubs
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Psychler on 26 June, 2014, 03:11:20 am
Quote from: tiermat on 25 June, 2014, 06:39:39 pm
Quote from: Psychler on 25 June, 2014, 05:06:19 pm
I'll be camping with eldest Miss Psychler and possibly youngest Miss Psychler and boyfriend [Mrs Psychler has an aversion to camping and outdoor life] at Ripon Rugby club on Friday and Saturday nights. 

We'll watch Saturday's stage at Ripon, drive to intercept stage 2 somewhere on our way home on Sunday [don't know where yet] and on Monday I shall pootle up to Willingale to watch stage 3 fly by!

Wave/come over and say hello if you happen to see a long haired bloke, green Inbred 29er with drops and a YACF shirt. As previously mentioned, I will probably be in the market place shortly after they fly through town (having spent the rest of the time sat out by the river)

Will do!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Ham on 26 June, 2014, 07:57:01 am
If anyone wants the OSM map for the whole area suitable for garmin gps that accept supplementary maps it can be found here for the next 55 hours (30Mb) 

http://osm2.pleiades.uni-wuppertal.de/garmin/generic/13-06-2014/1e6e2cb2fefe37976a17d4cc1f0fd9ab/
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 June, 2014, 05:07:34 pm
I believe the toekneecaps will be in Harrogate and possibly York for some of it.

Not sure what I'll do tbh, did have grand plans for watching some of it from Holmfirth but suffering a large dose of CBA.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Ruth on 29 June, 2014, 02:47:20 pm
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cycling/tour-de-france-2014-you-can-lose-this-race-at-the-start-on-those-hard-yorkshire-climbs-says-britains-first-tour-winner-9570852.html

According to yesterday's Indie, Cycling Yorkshire plan to ensure every child in Yorkshire has a bicycle.  I don't know whether that's true or not, but it's a good story.

I couldn't find any reference to it here.

http://cycle.yorkshire.com/the-legacy
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: David Martin on 29 June, 2014, 04:53:20 pm
I'll be staying close to ITV4...
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 29 June, 2014, 09:14:14 pm
Went for a drive round a big part of the route from Grassington onwards, last night.
I had forgotten how narrow the road was in Upper Wharfedale.
Decided on Grinton as best spot, as Cray is too narrow due to walls (unless you stay near the White Lion , on  Buttertubs there is nowhere level to stand but on Grinton Moor it's o.k and we can freewheel into Leyburn to watch the finish on the big screen.
There already one or two campervans on the high ground.
Anticipation is definitely building.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: MattH on 29 June, 2014, 11:12:21 pm
MrsH and myself are marshalling on stage 1 sector 1 (Leeds city centre), so we know where we'll be watching on Saturday morning, with guaranteed good views of the road  :)
I'm not sure what we'll do on Sunday; we're staying in Oldham, so close to the route, but we won't have cycles with us and getting to the obvious Holme Moss climb (quite close to where we're staying) will be tough due to closures even on the motorbike. I've got Monday off work so will likely go into London, MrsH is still waiting to hear if she can get the day off.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: DrMekon on 30 June, 2014, 12:00:08 am
Will walk down into Otley, have a play about on the funfair, watch the big telly, try to see some of it. Then ride over to Harrogate, and try and see a bit more.

Will ride over to Addingham on Sunday. More about the atmosphere for me. Will watch telly later. Otley should be a good laugh. Be interesting seeing them try to get through the crossroads in Otley at speed. Wonder what they are doing about the bollards.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Ham on 30 June, 2014, 06:42:31 am
Quote from: DrMekon on 30 June, 2014, 12:00:08 am
Wonder what they are doing about the bollards.

If it is anything like what they have done with the road surface on the Epping - London stretch, I can tell you.

Sweet FA. Maybe they see it as our answer to Roubaix pavé?
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Psychler on 30 June, 2014, 04:02:04 pm
Quote from: Ham on 30 June, 2014, 06:42:31 am
Quote from: DrMekon on 30 June, 2014, 12:00:08 am
Wonder what they are doing about the bollards.

If it is anything like what they have done with the road surface on the Epping - London stretch, I can tell you.

Sweet FA. Maybe they see it as our answer to Roubaix pavé?

Same as the Willingale to Moreton stretch on stage 3.  A lot of potholes and broken tarmac.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: DrMekon on 01 July, 2014, 12:34:50 am
They've re-done all our roads in Otley. Real smooth.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 01 July, 2014, 08:20:23 pm
There's a great sign on the M6 South of Leyland, saying that all routes across the Pennines will be disrupted at the weekend, it advises using the M62 or the A66. I tried a quick calculation as to how many square miles lie between those two roads, then my brain shut down.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 01 July, 2014, 11:55:40 pm
Quote from: DrMekon on 30 June, 2014, 12:00:08 am
Wonder what they are doing about the bollards.

In Harrogate they have removed quite a lot of street furniture, especially on the sprint finish of stage 1.
  i.e the traffic lights at the bottom of the hill near the exhibition centre.
The last half mile  has been resurfaced as well.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: closetleftie on 03 July, 2014, 04:29:11 pm
Quote from: DrMekon on 30 June, 2014, 12:00:08 am
Will walk down into Otley, have a play about on the funfair, watch the big telly, try to see some of it. Then ride over to Harrogate, and try and see a bit more.

Will ride over to Addingham on Sunday. More about the atmosphere for me. Will watch telly later. Otley should be a good laugh. Be interesting seeing them try to get through the crossroads in Otley at speed. Wonder what they are doing about the bollards.

Much like that for me. See you around.  ;D

Minus the ride to Harrogate bit - bunch of folk from 't village coming to ours for a barbecue if the weather's OK. You'd be welcome if your plans change.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 04 July, 2014, 12:22:14 am
Was anybody else at the Leeds Arena for the launch and team presentations?
I have to say it was a great evening of sport and Yorkshireness, one of the best nights out that I have had for ages. It was only slightly  spoiled by a pair of knowitall motormouths who never stopped talking for 2 hours and never applauded any team or any of the speakers or performers.
As my daughter said ,they could have gone to the pub and saved themselves the cost of the ticket.
As I may never see the Tour so close to home again in my lifetime, I consider it money well spent.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Rainmaker on 04 July, 2014, 08:46:17 am

Posted by: madcow Today at 12:22:14 AM

Was anybody else at the Leeds Arena for the launch and team presentations?

I watched it on Eurosport and I thought it was excellent, even if I wasn't totally convinced by Mr Froome's explanation of Wiggo's absence to Greg Lomond.
Just hoping that the weather will keep fine for the weekend to show Yorkshire at its best.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: tiermat on 04 July, 2014, 08:47:43 am
Quote from: Rainmaker on 04 July, 2014, 08:46:17 am

Posted by: madcow Today at 12:22:14 AM

Was anybody else at the Leeds Arena for the launch and team presentations?

I watched it on Eurosport and I thought it was excellent, even if I wasn't totally convinced by Mr Froome's explanation of Wiggo's absence to Greg Lomond.
Just hoping that the weather will keep fine for the weekend to show Yorkshire at its best.

Might be a little damp:

http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/England/Leeds/hour_by_hour.html
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Riggers on 04 July, 2014, 09:08:21 am
I do so hope you're wrong Doormat, but increasingly the weather forecasts are getting more and more accurate. I wouldn't blame any chap cycling tomorrow to be taking the course gingerly. Impacting a dry stone wall at speed will, I imagine, mean you're out the race, watching the rest of it from a hospital bed.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: tiermat on 04 July, 2014, 09:17:21 am
Quote from: Riggers on 04 July, 2014, 09:08:21 am
I do so hope you're wrong Doormat, but increasingly the weather forecasts are getting more and more accurate. I wouldn't blame any chap cycling tomorrow to be taking the course gingerly. Impacting a dry stone wall at speed will, I imagine, mean you're out the race, watching the rest of it from a hospital bed.

Please, if you are going hack my Nom de gueere about, try the germlish translation, that being Animal Mat :)

On the second thing, I am sure Mr Boardman will have memories of doing the same, in the same race, but over in Ireland!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: peliroja on 04 July, 2014, 09:37:04 am
Our local weatherman who has his own weather stations across the Dales posted this last night:

"Saturday the best day of the weekend. Early rain then plenty of sunshine and the odd shower. Cool and breezy. More in the way of showers on Sunday. Not bad for Le Tour Yorkshire on Saturday then."
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 04 July, 2014, 10:08:42 am
Perhaps we should review our plans. I could set up the projector in the living room, and I could do some intervals on the turbo trainer to provide some atmosphere. Guests could hand me up a musette as the peloton passes through the feeds.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 04 July, 2014, 10:49:26 am
I thought you would be used to a bit of rain, with living in Lancashire. Get thissen owert border and into some proper countryside .
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: pdm on 04 July, 2014, 11:00:49 am
Looks like the pdm clan and hangers on will be going to watch stage 2 in the Dark Peak on the downhill after Côte de Midhopestones. There is a nice little 25% downhill hairpin. The riders will either be going very slowly or not be going anywhere at all! There is a nice adjacent field to picnic in too.
We are looking forward to melting carbon rims, smoking brake blocks and grimaces!
May be loading the tandem up with chairs, umbrellas and sundry consumables ;)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 04 July, 2014, 11:04:16 am
It won't be raining when the peloton passes through Masham, but it will until midday, so I've got to entertain my companion in the rain until then. There's way too much expectation bound up to an event with numerous imponderables, and I've been delegated to plan for such contingencies. I'd just as soon sit at home with my feet up, but she's a Yorkshire lass, with a flag for her bike and everything.

http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/England/Masham/hour_by_hour.html
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: peliroja on 04 July, 2014, 12:05:46 pm
Quote from: Exit Stage Left on 04 July, 2014, 11:04:16 am
I'd just as soon sit at home with my feet up
We'll probably be doing just that until the race arrives, but then our house is 0.1 miles away from the race route.  :D
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Rainmaker on 04 July, 2014, 12:34:00 pm

Posted by: Exit Stage Left: Today at 11:04:16 AM
 I'd just as soon sit at home with my feet up, but she's a Yorkshire lass, with a flag for her bike and everything

Don't be such an old Lancastrian misery, come to God's own county and enjoy the ambiance.    When the roads are open again take Heather to Betty's café in Harrogate and treat her to a Yorkshire Cream tea.

PS>   Don't forget your cheque book.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: SlowCoach on 04 July, 2014, 12:47:58 pm
I'm joining Tiermat at a sunny roadside near Ripon.

I've remembered to charge the batteries on the tranny radio but haven't found anyone who is broadcasting a live commentary on the radio yet before 3pm (which is when Radio 5 Live appear to think that the race starts). In France I've always parked myself at the side of the road near some German campavan with a satellite dish and large screen TV and peered over shoulders. Otherwise there has never been any difficulty finding a radio station to tune into (even if it is usually french). Somehow, I don't think the campavan approach will work this year. Does anyone know of any station broadcasting radio live for the entire day?
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 July, 2014, 01:01:10 pm
On the official site there is a list of broadcasters (down at the bottom). They look to be all television (and nearly all forrin).

I'm hoping to join you at Ripon somehow.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 04 July, 2014, 01:06:17 pm
[quote author=Rainmaker link=topic=81199.msg1708523#msg1708523
Don't be such an old Lancastrian misery, come to God's own county and enjoy the ambiance.    When the roads are open again take Heather to Betty's café in Harrogate and treat her to a Yorkshire Cream tea.

PS>   Don't forget your cheque book.
[/quote]

I know enough about Yorkshire to realise that no self-respecting Tyke will spend more than 99p for a cup of tea. We're still in mourning for Dunnies in Otley.
We Lancastrians are slowly colonising the posher bits of Yorkshire through the Trojan Horse that is Booths, having infiltrated Cheshire and Cumbria.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: billplumtree on 04 July, 2014, 01:20:03 pm
Quote from: Exit Stage Left on 04 July, 2014, 01:06:17 pm
We Lancastrians are slowly colonising the posher bits of Yorkshire through the Trojan Horse that is Booths, having infiltrated Cheshire and Cumbria.

Oh aye, we know all about them and their Greek equine loyalty card.  One of these days, I'm gonna wander into Booths in Kendal for my free coffee and Grauniad and be walloped by a black-pudding-wielding shopworker, to their battle cry of "ECKY THUMP!"
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: tiermat on 04 July, 2014, 01:20:31 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 04 July, 2014, 01:01:10 pm
On the official site there is a list of broadcasters (down at the bottom). They look to be all television (and nearly all forrin).

I'm hoping to join you at Ripon somehow.

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 04 July, 2014, 01:20:55 pm
yup , we got a Booths in Ripon. So far ,they have lasted longer than M+S did.

For radio, I can only suggest Radio York (103.7 or 104.3), but I  guess they will be doing local stuff rather than a commentary on the race.
I would expect them at least to give some pointers e.g the peloton/caravan  is now at Grassington or just starting up Buttertubs, but you never know.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 04 July, 2014, 05:02:13 pm
Quote from: billplumtree on 04 July, 2014, 01:20:03 pm
Quote from: Exit Stage Left on 04 July, 2014, 01:06:17 pm
We Lancastrians are slowly colonising the posher bits of Yorkshire through the Trojan Horse that is Booths, having infiltrated Cheshire and Cumbria.

Oh aye, we know all about them and their Greek equine loyalty card.  One of these days, I'm gonna wander into Booths in Kendal for my free coffee and Grauniad and be walloped by a black-pudding-wielding shopworker, to their battle cry of "ECKY THUMP!"

But it will be artisan Black Pudding made the way it was 50 years ago. They do a vegetarain version as well of course. Booths is for those who find Waitrose a bit coarse.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17255796
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: andyoxon on 04 July, 2014, 05:13:25 pm
Riding stage 1 - quite entertaining...

Cycling Stage 1 of the Tour de France in Yorkshire
Duration: 04:53
BeSpoke presenter OJ Borg attempts the Yorkshire-hosted first leg of the Tour de France 2014 to see how hard a professional road race route actually is.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p021x61k
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: peliroja on 04 July, 2014, 07:42:26 pm
Skipton is definitely buzzing. Away from the town centre, kiddies are running up and down the steep back streets shrieking excitedly and pretending to be on bikes. Pails of water and wooden stools are being used to baggsy car parking spots. The atmosphere is making the dog nervous. She keeps letting out squeaky barks and looking worried.

Woolly should be on his way home from the bike shop soon with a Bizzie Lizzies fish supper.  :D
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 04 July, 2014, 07:49:36 pm
Heather's sister Hilary heads up compliance at the Skipton Building Society, and she's regaled us with the chaos that's descended upon the Craven Capital. She lives in Keighley, where we'll be headed on Sunday. There's a bit of kerfuffle over the bunting there apparently. We can stroll down the hill on Sunday to see the passage of the tour. Apparently the only way to get to Howarth on Sunday is by steam train under the Td'F lockdown.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: peliroja on 04 July, 2014, 08:06:23 pm
I haven't noticed much in the way of chaos in Craven, I have to say. But I certainly don't rate the local councils and think More Could Have Been Done with the event (though I am hoping to be proved wrong tomorrow). Ilkley, for example, seems to have done a stellar job of organising and publicising their hub. Here  (http://www.ilkleyhub.co.uk/)is the Ilkley hub website. Compare and contrast with Skipton's (http://www.cravendc.gov.uk/skiptonhub).
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Peter on 04 July, 2014, 08:39:57 pm
There's been plenty of fuss in the Rochdale area.  We have the only section of the opening two stages not to be in Yorkshire.  A whole kilometre at the top of Cragg Vale.  That's where I hope to be; won't even need to touch "God's own country".
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 04 July, 2014, 09:14:32 pm
Ilkley's got a branch of Booths, and is therefore civilised. We've decided that 'Hubs' are to be avoided like the plague.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 04 July, 2014, 09:39:58 pm
I think that the hubs are a good idea for those that can't be arsed to visit the countryside cos they are scared of getting lost etc.
Whatever floats your boat ,I suppose.
We walked round the fanzone on Harrogate Stray last night and there was a lot to see. I might have been tempted to stay there all day myself and just get wellied if I hadn't set my heart on being out on a hillside just a few miles away from my childhood home in an area that has real resonance for me.
To many  it's just a day out, they are not into cycle racing as such and want peripheral entertainment and retail therapy to complete the picture.
So long as everyone has a good time.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: sojournermike on 04 July, 2014, 11:36:01 pm
Quote from: madcow on 04 July, 2014, 09:39:58 pm
I think that the hubs are a good idea for those that can't be arsed to visit the countryside cos they are scared of getting lost etc.
Whatever floats your boat ,I suppose.
We walked round the fanzone on Harrogate Stray last night and there was a lot to see. I might have been tempted to stay there all day myself and just get wellied if I hadn't set my heart on being out on a hillside just a few miles away from my childhood home in an area that has real resonance for me.
To many  it's just a day out, they are not into cycle racing as such and want peripheral entertainment and retail therapy to complete the picture.
So long as everyone has a good time.

Our friends.have arrived and we are.deciding what to do tomorrow. A ride to Harewood may be on the cards and then back home and take the children somewhere closer.

Sunday will be a ride over Blubberhouses,  hoping not to get swept up by the caravan, before a circular back to theatre of Key Gill.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: mattc on 05 July, 2014, 10:42:58 am
On 6Music - now!!!

5 hours with Gideon Coe from Le Tour. Has the world gone mad?
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Ruth on 05 July, 2014, 10:52:29 am
Is David Millar married?   O:-)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Ruth on 05 July, 2014, 11:15:28 am
I hope this Gideon Coe special is going on the i-Player, I'm only listening to it in the commercial breaks but it's great.  Wouldn't mind hearing the whole thing.

Those security guys were a bit serious weren't they?

Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Poly Hive on 05 July, 2014, 11:45:55 am
What an amazing sight... the UK has embraced cycling at last.

PH
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: bobb on 05 July, 2014, 11:50:02 am
FFS - this royal handshaking nonsense is getting embarrassing! Get on with it!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: andyoxon on 05 July, 2014, 12:08:04 pm
ITV/4 live video stream quality is annoyingly a bit carp.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: eck on 05 July, 2014, 12:27:08 pm
Quote from: andyoxon on 05 July, 2014, 12:08:04 pm
ITV/4 live video stream quality is annoyingly a bit carp.
It's the same on Eurosport.  ::-)
At least Eurosport is a Phil 'n' Paul free zone.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: jogler on 05 July, 2014, 12:42:46 pm
Whatever your opinion of Halfords stores I suggest that the current catalogue of Halfords adverts are amongst the  ;D on tv
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: jogler on 05 July, 2014, 12:50:04 pm
The translation of place names into French strikes me as rather precocious,paricularly for a down to earth county like Yorkshire.
Looks like a nice day for a ride.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 July, 2014, 12:58:25 pm
In  Ripon at big screen.. It's buzzing!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: bobb on 05 July, 2014, 03:01:21 pm
The scenes as Jens went over that first climb were incredible!

Can't wait to see some of the photography of the stage :-)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 July, 2014, 03:11:53 pm
Jens Jens Jens! Wind has shifted. Jens will have tailwind as he turns south, not the predicted headwind
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: red marley on 05 July, 2014, 04:53:20 pm
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Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: TimC on 05 July, 2014, 05:03:12 pm
Got so bored with endless adverts, and the dreadful signal quality here meant that the picture either froze or broke up more than it worked, that I fell asleep and missed the finish.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: αdαmsκι on 05 July, 2014, 05:09:25 pm
Quote from: jo on 05 July, 2014, 04:53:20 pm
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Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Veloman on 05 July, 2014, 05:13:41 pm
Quote from: αdαmsκι on 05 July, 2014, 05:09:25 pm
Quote from: jo on 05 July, 2014, 04:53:20 pm
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Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: αdαmsκι on 05 July, 2014, 05:25:32 pm
Quote from: Veloman on 05 July, 2014, 05:13:41 pm
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Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Peter on 05 July, 2014, 05:47:08 pm
Quote from: jogler on 05 July, 2014, 12:50:04 pm
The translation of place names into French strikes me as rather precocious,paricularly for a down to earth county like Yorkshire.
Looks like a nice day for a ride.

Anyone else notice "the bridge over the River Wensleydale"?

The footage was wonderful but I'm a little surprised they were forced to say "...and that's a liitle village"  when they seem to know the name of every petrol pump in France.

Jens is just awesome, n'est-ce pas?
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Jurek on 05 July, 2014, 05:53:07 pm
Quote from: αdαmsκι on 05 July, 2014, 05:09:25 pm
Quote from: jo on 05 July, 2014, 04:53:20 pm
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I think it's safe to say he'll be watching the finish onna telly :(
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: red marley on 05 July, 2014, 06:02:23 pm
Quote from: Peter on 05 July, 2014, 05:47:08 pm
The footage was wonderful but I'm a little surprised they were forced to say "...and that's a liitle village"  when they seem to know the name of every petrol pump in France.

At some point in the commentary today they were saying it was hard to identify each village as the crowds were so big that they were obscuring the signs etc.

The size of the crowds has been brilliant and hopefully makes the chances of hosting future stages here that much greater. The crowds not so good in London though. I was watching it all today on the big screen at the Olympic Park surrounded by as many as 20 others. Hopefully a few more tomorrow with better weather forecast for the South.

And I do like the Francification of the names. Looking forward to the Côte de Blubberhouses and the Côte d'Oughtibridge tomorrow.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Tom B on 05 July, 2014, 06:26:57 pm
Quote
We have the only section of the opening two stages not to be in Yorkshire.  A whole kilometre at the top of Cragg Vale

Holme Moss top to Salter's Brook Bridge is in present-day Derbyshire and, historically, Cheshire
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Peter on 05 July, 2014, 06:51:07 pm
Yes, sorry!  Whenever I do Holme Moss, I lose all sense of, well, everything!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: peliroja on 05 July, 2014, 07:00:19 pm
Quote from: madcow on 04 July, 2014, 09:39:58 pm
I think that the hubs are a good idea for those that can't be arsed to visit the countryside cos they are scared of getting lost etc.
Whatever floats your boat ,I suppose.
Or because you have a mother and a mad dog to entertain/look after!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 July, 2014, 07:13:18 pm
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Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: TimC on 05 July, 2014, 07:25:34 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 05 July, 2014, 07:13:18 pm
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Yep, absolutely. A total hero.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Ruth on 05 July, 2014, 08:21:12 pm
Quote from: TimC on 05 July, 2014, 07:25:34 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 05 July, 2014, 07:13:18 pm
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Yep, absolutely. A total hero.

Yep.

He's also funny, charming and handsome.

Is he married?
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 July, 2014, 08:22:44 pm
yes with numerous children. I've heard he's supposed to be a lovely dad as well as charming, heroic and talented.

Some people, huh.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Ruth on 05 July, 2014, 08:31:48 pm
Damn.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 05 July, 2014, 08:54:59 pm
We have just got back from the most amazing day out. We parked at my parents house on the edge of Richmond and rode up to Grinton and up the hill past the hostel.
Coffee and cake was purchased from a roadside tent set up by Herriot Hospice supporters and I was happy to support them.
At 10 a.m the verges were full and more people kept arriving on bikes or on foot, many on a bridleway that connected to one of the car parks in the valley bottom.
We spent hours waiting , cheering little kids riding up the hill and chatting to all around us .
We could see the road before Reeth, the green at Reeth and the road climbing up out of Grinton.
 As the tension mounted we took up position on the tarmac.Whilst many were prepared to sit further away, we were determined to be next to the action.
We saw the caravan, and yes Deano, it did almost get stuck, there were certainly some very smelly clutches on some vehicles and they had to stop sometimes to make sure they had a clear run. Loads of motos and then it happened.
Jens Voigt was past in a flash, the crowd so close he was almost invisible.
 Next the peloton stormed through not missing a beat as they went up a 14% gradient . All the team cars ,seemingly intent on putting at least one spectator in hospital, and then the voiture balai. A few more police cars and that was it,game over.
We got on our bikes and rode on to Leyburn on a traffic free road. We watched Cav's crash on the big screen and then rode back to our start point, passing a 5 mile queue of cars . the sun was shining and for once, motorists, were in the main ,cyclist friendly.
I have never seen anything like it and certainly growing up in the area ,I never ever envisaged the biggest bike race in the world passing through countryside that  I know so well.
I hope everyone had a good day and I am grateful that so many people embraced  the spirit of the tour .
Up here we are often viewed as dour northerners with little to say to outsiders. I think today that actions have been  louder than mere words. 
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Deano on 05 July, 2014, 08:59:29 pm
I was a bit below you, madcow - we were just above the first steep pull out of Grinton, and opposite the YHA (where the bar was open).

It was a great atmosphere, the frenzy of the caravan and the anticipation, watching the road past Reeth School to try and spot the riders. Then the swarm of choppers came whirring down the valley like Apocalypse now, and it was gone.

Might watch it on the telly tomorrow, that way I'll know what's happening.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: peliroja on 05 July, 2014, 09:24:44 pm
We had a fantastic day, too. Mum stayed last night (along with a front room full of CTUK friends from London who didn't make it to Skipton until 2.30 am!) and this morning Mum, Woolly and I pottered down the ginnel to watch the caravane publicitaire. I then nipped back up the hill to the house to let the dog out and pick up a little stool (no, not the dog's - a wooden one) to stand on as I am Ms ShortArse.

I pottered back down to join Mum and her many new friends, who had dragged her up onto a stone bench for a better view and were plying her with wine. We watched Jens and the rest of the breakaway, then the peloton itself, whizzing through the streets of Skiptonia. The atmosphere was fantastic and we were surrounded by people in various states of giddy excitement. It really was something. It felt so odd to go home and then say to myself, "Right, I'm just off back down the hill to the Tour de France." Surreal.

We headed back home to watch the coverage on TV accompanied by slices of delicious cake made by a lovely friend and fetched up by the CTUK lot (featuring little yellow bicycles, dry stone walls and National Trust signs!). To add to the day's delights, we were lucky to be visited by NSTN and Rob and Cam, followed by Ham and Mrs Ham -- it was so lovely to see you all.

Seeing Cavendish crash on the big screen left us and the huge Skipton crowds a little subdued, but it didn't detract from the real winner of the day. Yorkshire!

A fantastic day to mark our seventh anniversary (and seven years since we watched the Tour in London). Where shall we watch the Tour in 2021?  :)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: jogler on 05 July, 2014, 09:43:53 pm
Quote from: peliroja on 05 July, 2014, 09:24:44 pm


 - a wooden one) to stand on as I am Ms ShortArse.


the best things come in small packages ;)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: billplumtree on 05 July, 2014, 09:53:44 pm
I was in Hawes, the atmosphere was just fantastic all day.  Cafes were full at 0530, serving breakfast, and by 8 there wasn't a sausage or rasher of bacon to be had anywhere!  A few pics here, click 'em for bigness;  there are a few more here (https://picasaweb.google.com/drwhrobertson/TourDeFranceInHawes?authuser=0&feat=directlink) The hub thing worked brilliantly

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NnVg6skFsf0/U7hdTXN5r7I/AAAAAAAAF6o/RMnR04ssWqY/s800/P2500184.jpg) (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/W1MLOnazD8Q2eGJIKaFIztMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink)

(I think that may be a Yorkshire joke).  Srsly, sat in the sun eating deep-fried Wensleydale and chips and watching the depart on the big screen

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OJ6O1KFaoNU/U7hdah5EjxI/AAAAAAAAF7A/SU0JBcBPGag/s800/P2500248.jpg) (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/et7XwMRRqKbtj-7djBlgG9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink)

Well, some did, but mobile signal isn't all that in Hawes, so some just spodded off the NFU-provided hotspot

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-busOlRvto7w/U7hdHnEk8nI/AAAAAAAAF6A/MupxydXrUBU/s800/P2500173.jpg) (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/q1Tx41AuigiR5naw4-WxWNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink)

After the sendoff, just nipped across the field to see the caravan come through

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZjBh-qZVnKA/U7hdAe4RPiI/AAAAAAAAF5w/8FNKB4LaEbY/s720/P2500191.jpg) (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Xg4XyYDsnCRFWkH5ufydNtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink)

Back for more big telly, then Jens came storming through 5 minutes up (I think):

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H_V7lQCJV1c/U7hdXEqMdGI/AAAAAAAAF64/I-8Q3g-i9nw/s800/P2500220.jpg) (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OFJN3qyU8huEoOMsIUsKidMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink)

Back to the big screen again to watch the rest of the race, and the crowd swelled gradually as folk made their way there from the Cote de Buttertubs

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I4AAB7U-prE/U7hddkNCV1I/AAAAAAAAF7I/AN4nXOk92mw/s800/P2500249.jpg) (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/625kBPhNu-bLgJntZlpCaNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink)

What an astonishing day.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZLRbOfq_Dq0/U7hdg6W_NQI/AAAAAAAAF7Q/JoyWSknRNzw/s800/P2500253.jpg) (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/llNl-YhN00N5pWfN9yecy9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Ruth on 05 July, 2014, 09:55:51 pm
Bill, great photos, as always.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Glover Fan on 05 July, 2014, 10:02:15 pm
Seems a vocal minority of tour riders weren't enamoured with the sheer numbers of spectators on the narrow lanes. According to twitter anyway, have seen greipel and eisel have had a little pop.

As much as I watched with pride and satisfaction that the majority were well behaved, I thought perhaps some of the numbers on the climbs were a little out of control.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: eck on 05 July, 2014, 10:11:39 pm
Quote from: jogler on 05 July, 2014, 09:43:53 pm
Quote from: peliroja on 05 July, 2014, 09:24:44 pm


 - a wooden one) to stand on as I am Ms ShortArse.


the best things come in small packages ;)
You're not wrong there, jogler.
As a chat-up line, it worked for me.  O:-)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: andyoxon on 05 July, 2014, 10:22:33 pm
What a stage - really enjoyed that.   Managed to watch the second half as a recording without knowing the result.  Shame about the fallers.
(click to show/hide)
 
Jens is good value...

So tomorrow... Cote de Blubberhouses!   ;D
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Clare on 05 July, 2014, 10:36:46 pm
That was fantastic.

I'm loving the Cote des. Particularly looking foward to the Cote de Jenkin Road tomorrow, it sounds so much better half in French.

Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 05 July, 2014, 11:29:39 pm
Funnily enough, I also mentioned  Apocalypse Now as the helis appeared and I am used to seeing army copters flying into Dishforth.
I bet the road back to Richmond was busy.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 July, 2014, 02:32:43 pm
Quote from: Riggers on 04 July, 2014, 09:08:21 am
I do so hope you're wrong Doormat, but increasingly the weather forecasts are getting more and more accurate. I wouldn't blame any chap cycling tomorrow to be taking the course gingerly. Impacting a dry stone wall at speed will, I imagine, mean you're out the race, watching the rest of it from a hospital bed.
My brother crashed into a dry stone wall head first, on my sledge.  >:( He split his head open and had to get stitches.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: peliroja on 06 July, 2014, 04:01:59 pm
We saw it again today! Amazing day, even better than yesterday as we got closer to the riders. Woolly and I pootled over to Bolton Abbey (carrefour A59) on the bikes (yes, Woolly actually rode a bike!) and met my sister and her husband who had cycled from Calverley and walked up from Addingham. There were so many cyclists! Loads of roadies, plenty of mini-roadies and recumbents, tandems, tagalongs and folders. Everyone happy, smiling, chatting, laughing. I was high-fived by two police motorbikers. My sister picked up tons of publicity swag. Woolly had fun playing with his squeaky horn.  ;D It was all tremendous fun.

Home to find a Gus unpacking his panniers in the back yard! Turned out he was watching just around the corner from us.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: ferret on 06 July, 2014, 04:21:08 pm
well I can only watch on Tv never mind the racing the crowds are amazing, 2.5million spectators quoted on twitter, just watching them going up Jenkin Road looking tired
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: αdαmsκι on 06 July, 2014, 04:46:56 pm
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Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Socks on 06 July, 2014, 05:20:14 pm
Just back from a couple of nights at Kilnsey.  I got the train to York and cycled there on Friday, along the busy A59 for a while but worth it for some impressive tour decorations.  Then over that big hill from Pateley Bridge.

Saturday morning, across the road from the campsite to the pub.  With an hour to go before the caravan there were already people along both sides of the road, on a terrace next to the pub, and hundreds of cyclists heading up the road towards Kidstones (or Grinton?).

It rained a lot on Friday evening / night but brightened up on Saturday, so I had to take in some Theakstons to keep my fluid levels topped up.  Helped by 'DJ Wiggo' and a good selection of thumping 1980's and 1990's classics.

By the time the publicity caravan passed the crowd had grown even more and it felt like mass hysteria.  People crammed along both sides of the road, standing on pub tables.  Then the breakaway, and the peloton flashed passed past (time between the caravan and the riders to get another Theakstons).    The landlord even stopped serving for half an hour so the staff could see the tour go past.  That's impressive for Yorkshire ..... 

Today cycled back home from Kidstones, along a lot of the remaining route from Stage 1.  Apparently stage 1 was classed as 'flat' by Tour standards - didn't feel like that for me. 
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 06 July, 2014, 06:28:35 pm
Just back from trip to Masham and Keighley, a twin pronunciation test. Thanks to the Co-Op in Masham for the free food, and to the people of both towns for excellent days out. Video reports to follow.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: red marley on 06 July, 2014, 06:37:10 pm
What a great day's racing. It has been so good to see mountain finish crowds 20 times over today. I felt an emotional mix of pride, incredulity and excitement seeing what could have been a classic Galibier type finish on the streets of Sheffield this afternoon. I've always felt that even though long Alpine climbs dwarf anything in England, the constant up and downs and steep gradients of typical UK hilly terrain can be a tougher ride.

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Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Hot Flatus on 06 July, 2014, 06:49:34 pm
Watched it just over from the top of Oxenhope near Keighley. The peloton and the breakaway were very visibly takingbit easy.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Lordy on 06 July, 2014, 08:15:54 pm
Got home late last night after getting a pitch on the finish line in Harrogate.  Couldn't have got any closer, just a shame Cav didn't win, but GWS.

Came away with the ultimate souvenir (the finish line)!!!  Fantastic couple of days.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: pdm on 06 July, 2014, 09:44:42 pm
Went to watch on the downhill after "Cote de Midhopestones"
Went on the tandem - bit of a workout carting chairs, picnic and SWMBO up the steep hills in the dark peak and through the crowds.
We watched just before the hairpin - about a 20% slope on the inside of the bend!
Amazing. as the riders bombed down, you could see forearm muscles bulging and faces grimacing as they all tried brake hard to bleed off the speed and stay upright on the corner - the smell of hyperheated brake blocks and carbon rims was sudden and rather pronounced!
Some of the motorcyclists almost overcooked it, momentarily locking up their rear brakes....
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: MattH on 06 July, 2014, 09:50:23 pm
Had two good days out. Up at 3:30 yesterday morning in Oldham to get to Leeds and check in at 5:30 (which we just made after taking a wrong turn in Leeds and getting caught up in a circular hell of one way system and road closures). A very damp ride in over the M62, and with nowhere to store kit it all went into the panniers and top box. The weather got better and we were in position marshalling in the city centre for 6:30, which meant a prime in-the-road position to watch everything happen. A fantastic experience, with thousands of spectators around us and mainly everyone in a good mood.
Leaving Leeds we had the joy of putting on damp gear that was now warm and damp from being in panniers in the sun. We came back on the A roads, passing loads of cyclists who'd obviously been there watching.

Today we went out to watch on the section after Rippondon, just after the Greetland climb. We found a small road that let us get the bike right up to the route, with a nice grass bank just around the corner. Again thousands of people (we were close to a pub which acted as a focal point) and a fantastic atmosphere. It's hard to believe that this level of support is in the UK.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Simon Galgut on 06 July, 2014, 09:51:41 pm
We were at the bottom of Holme Moss, just beyond the tight turn onto the Woodhead Pass. All the riders made it, but some cars very nearly didn't and a few of the lorries in the caravan had to do three point turns.
Great day out, everything perfect in sunny Derbyshire.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: MattH on 06 July, 2014, 09:55:23 pm
One other point that's just come to mind. Whoever had the idea of throwing out freebies of Yorkshire Tea from the caravan obviously hadn't thought it through. Small packs of a couple of bags would be ideal. Throwing a box the size you'd buy in a supermarket into a crowd as you drive past at 20 mph isn't the best way of avoiding casualties  ;D
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 06 July, 2014, 10:34:04 pm
Team MC went up to Blubberhouses Moor today. Whilst Mrs M was on one of the rock outcrops, I was about 100 yards up from the K.O.M  summit line.
The caravane was using the whole road today and it was so much faster. Definitely more va va voom . I could even start to like the french rock/dance music.
 I was just yards away from the crash(NOT caused by a spectator) and saw team cars screech to a halt and several mechanics sprinting along the road with wheels in hand. One was so unprepared he still had his shoelaces undone.
Did any one notice that there was at least one female motorbike riding gendarme?

After the voiture balai had passed we decided to head straight home and we watched the final miles on our own big screen , downing  tea and cake.
Pleased  to see the level of support  along the route, now extremely  :( that its all over for Yorkshire.
 
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: drossall on 06 July, 2014, 11:33:49 pm
Quote from: Peter on 05 July, 2014, 05:47:08 pm
Anyone else notice "the bridge over the River Wensleydale"?
+1. But I mess up too sometimes when I'm talking ;D

First time I've ever watched two stages all the way through. Normally only have time for highlights, but I'm a Yorkshireman, and anyway I wanted to see them making light of so many hills I've struggled up at various times in the past.

Our turn next. Planning to be at Felsted tomorrow.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: jogler on 07 July, 2014, 07:07:10 am
Quote from: MattH on 06 July, 2014, 09:50:23 pm
It's hard to believe that this level of support is in the UK.

It is when you consider the level of anti-cycling crap in the media & the aggro dispensed on the road by drivers. ::-)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: rafletcher on 07 July, 2014, 08:32:50 am
Well we watched from the comfort of our sofa - but my wife was pleased to see the section from Bradfield into Sheffield - she was born in Worral, and pointed out the field that she and her brother flooded by damming the stream. Coincidentally one of my newer colleagues went to Sheffield Uni, and was back up at Bradfield yesterday. He got some pretty good pics too.

Well done Yorkshire (and bits of Derbyshire of course)!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2014, 08:51:23 am
Alas the TV coverage went off for a blipvert break when stage 2 passed closest to where I lived as a tiny Mr Larrington in the mid-60s (just before Menwith Hill).  But I was able to spot the cottage in Silsden which we stayed for a week in 2011.  Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) is Silsden born and bred :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Nuncio on 07 July, 2014, 09:22:21 am
I'm doing some deskside recovery after staying for a couple of days in Harrogate at my sisters.  First day we were 2km out from the end, and joined the throng of bikes and humanity up the course to the finish and the fan zone for a bit of a party.  Then yesterday took a left instead of a right from my sister's road and joined the extended street party on the Skipton Road, and back after they'd gone through for a nice BBQ/Live coverage mix.

My sister, a keen photographer, was mortified almost to have brushed shoulders with the peloton as they whizzed past.  She'd crossed over the road from where we were and managed to catch the Omega train without realizing that Cofidis/Giant were coming up her side.

I see some of the riders talking about a new threat, as illustrated in this list of bad selfie backgrounds

1. Selfie with a human predator (shark, lion, crocodile etc).
2. Selfie with oncoming train (on tracks).
3. Selfie with back to tdf peloton

though this one (https://twitter.com/innovACTION11/status/485489556423065600/photo/1) was quite successful


Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Riggers on 07 July, 2014, 09:33:44 am
Well. I have to doff my soft southerner flat cap to Yokshire with a huge "Chapeau" and seeing what a magnificent spectacle it was. Took my breath away. I heard on the radio this morning, that Bernard EE-by-gum-neaux said he'd never experienced anything like it in 40 years of involvement with the TdF.

Quite fantastic.

I should add, even though I'm Sussex through and through, that m'dad were born and raised in 'Alifax.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 07 July, 2014, 09:45:03 am
Thanks Yorkshire for a cracking weekend, from us Lancastrians. The queue of traffic to get through Colne was awesome. We diverted through the town centre. The upcoming Colne Grand Prix was announced on road closure signs. The resounding success of the Tour should help raise its profile and smooth its way.
http://www.cdnw.org/colne_gp.html
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Peter on 07 July, 2014, 10:28:41 am
I watched from Blackstone Edge at the top of Cragg Vale.  I rode three miles then walked about the same to get there before being funnelled onto the moor by the marshalls.  I was too far away to get decent pictures but the atmosphere was phenomenal.  A break of about seven went through with the peloton about a minute or so later.  I was disappointed that the TV highlights seemed to do the start, then a quick, almost instantaneous shot of Haworth cobbles (I can still get up them!) before jumping to Holme Moss with about 60k to go.  9 hills on the route and they showed about four with about 40k's worth of jockeying for the finish.  They ALWAYS do this (except maybe for Saturday).  Nevertheless, it was pretty good coverage and a fabulous experience.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 07 July, 2014, 10:30:23 am
HELP!!!! I am getting withdrawal symptoms already.
I still can't believe that the TDF went through Swaledale and Wensleydale.

 I am going to wake up/ sober up some day.
Can we do it again, please?
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: pcolbeck on 07 July, 2014, 10:34:24 am
been really busy and worked right through the last few weekends until this one. Last minute plan and me an my BiL set of att 5:00 am to to get a good spot at Green Hamerton. Had to go the long way round via the back roads and the toll bridge at Aldwark but there were no cars on teh road at all and we got there before 6:00am. Only us and two other guys there plus two ice cream vans !
Sat on the grassy bank looking back down the hill towards York, good view of about a mile.
Gradually more and more people turned up and by 9:00 there was a good crowd. Great atmosphere and we were surprised by how much of a gap teh breakaway had opened up by the time they passed us given that they only started racing at York bypass.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: sojournermike on 07 July, 2014, 10:53:25 am
Wandered into Harrogate on Saturday to hang around the finish area with the family. Brilliant atmosphere and finsihed up near the team buses. Watched the Astana team roll into their finish, all smiles, and my youngest was given one of the bottles (nibilick's we claim) by the team as we stood there (me saying 'take it, take it').

On Sunday I rode out along the closed A59/TdF route at about 7.30am with one of our visitors and over Blubberhouses. Then down to Bolton Abbey and a bit of open road work up to Burnsall, Appletreewick and Greenhow, before heading along Duck Street, past Thrusscross and out at the top of Blubberhouses to watch the caravan and peloton pass. A fantastic atmosphere, and I must have been near MadCow as the crash was just in front of me too!

Was chatting to one of the Cappucino cycling club members and he said his mate had gone from 1 to about 12 on the Buttertubs Strava segment the day before, and by about 3 minutes:)

Other notable sights were the chap who wheelied his road bike 200m plus up the course, the young lad on a small road bike doing 'speed runs' up the course to the cheers of the crowd and the policeman riding his work mountain bike up the course, 'high fiving' the crowd as he went. On the way back, there was a police van with all the doors open, crawling with children who were being encouraged to sound the siren and flash the lights by the police in attendance.

Headed straight back to Harrogate after the parade, very croweded going down Blubberhouses and a very enjoyable 30mph flying km with a lad from Ripon, to watch the finish on TV.

What a brilliant weekend. Roll on the Tour de Yorkshire and (I dream) the 4 yearly return of the Grand Depart!

Mike
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 07 July, 2014, 11:20:12 am
We stayed with Rob's parents in Lancashire and managed to watch it on Sat (Skipton) and Sun (Hebden Bridge). We couldn't take bikes because we had the dog with us and used a combo of lifts kindly given by Rob's dad, train and hiking.

We had a marvellous time; I saw Ham & Mrs Ham, Woolly, Peli, Peli's mum & Tilley, and Hatler & the mini-Hatlers all in all.

Most Yorkshire moment: When one of the vans selling Tour tat (umbrella, cap etc) pulled up near us. Loads of people thought they were giving stuff away for free and literally ran over with arms outstretched, grabbing at the umbrellas they were holding. When they realised that they could only have said tat if they *paid* for it, there was a collective groan and boos as they all turned and walked away in disgust. I thought this was bloody hilarious.

I was really impressed by the effort put in by both places, with all the decorations and TdF themed shop windows etc. Fantastic atmosphere too.

We shall shortly wander over to central London to take up our places to get our final view before it heads back to France.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Rainmaker on 07 July, 2014, 11:57:28 am

Posted by: Mr Larrington: Today at 08:51:23 AM

 Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) is Silsden born and bred :thumbsup:

I should have guessed, it takes a Yorkshireman to be Lt.Col. (Rtd) and the Mayor of Mortagne au Perche!
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/Smileys/classic/grin.gif

Perhaps more people will now understand why we call it God's own county!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2014, 12:40:43 pm
Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) was watching the tennis when I departed Fort Larrington yesterday pm, but you can rest assured that he will have watched a recorded Tour De Cobbeydale by now.

If he didn't watch the BRITISH Grand Prix first, obv.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: jogler on 07 July, 2014, 03:07:13 pm
I just saw a VC167 jersey at the roadside waving frantically at 54km from the arrivee :)
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 07 July, 2014, 03:22:12 pm
I filmed our outing to Masham on Saturday. 4 mins 39sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtBWDHqH06U
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: madcow on 07 July, 2014, 05:41:36 pm
A few Scottish raiders at the end there. A good job they didn't get as far as York.
Nice little film,Damon, keeping up your usual high standard.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Rainmaker on 07 July, 2014, 08:01:07 pm

Posted by: madcown: Today at 05:41:36 PM 

Nice little film,Damon, keeping up your usual high standard

But it didn't look as if Heather got her Yorkshire cream tea.
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: TimC on 07 July, 2014, 08:31:27 pm
Worked all the way through yesterday and today's stages, and got home just in time to see the credits on the ITV4 highlights - and there's no ITV4+1 tonight. So I now have to wait up till midnight for the next showing of today's highlights to watch the race go within 10 miles of home. And I bet they don't show any of that part of the stage!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 07 July, 2014, 10:08:22 pm
Quote from: Rainmaker on 07 July, 2014, 08:01:07 pm



But it didn't look as if Heather got her Yorkshire cream tea.

She got a typical Chicken Bhuna, with a plain Naan and a salad from Mango's in Keighley, excellent value.

Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 08 July, 2014, 12:22:25 am
Mango's is no.1 Mornington Street, Heather's sister Hilary lives further up. I've done a  film of when France came to Keighley, 4 mins 19 sec.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd6LaPiIeck
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: mr magnolia on 08 July, 2014, 06:04:40 pm
Mrs m and a couple of magnoliettes; Leeds to Harrogate par le train:

(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c204/mrmagnolia/th_IMAG00261_zpsbc45fc3f.jpg) (http://s28.photobucket.com/user/mrmagnolia/media/IMAG00261_zpsbc45fc3f.jpg.html)

Cracking day out, Gromit!

The girls apparently preferred last years event on the Champs Elysees, despite the heat, and despite the Leeds shopping interlude.  I shall do my best to get them back there soon!
Title: Re: Le Grand Depart from Leeds
Post by: Salvatore on 09 July, 2014, 07:09:35 am
In contrast, I kept up to date with what was going on by means of Twitter updates from @itvcycling, while slowly making my way south along traffic-free (and often tarmac-free) roads of central Finland.