My 'LeTour' weekend

[JohnnyBoxer]

Not much touring done, the Peloton were doing that, but some pics from my fantastic 'Tour de France - Grand Depart' weekend

Months before, I had mixed feelings about it, would it be any good?

Is it just a lot of fuss? etc

Well in the last 2 weeks it's started to build and Yorkshire folk have embraced it ....................and some more

The areas where the Tour passed have been decorated magnificently

A couple of my favourites..............

Monet's Garden... re-created in the pond at North Stainley, near Ripon





A bike on a house




The Hills above Hawes, have their own bike





We went to watch the race at West Tanfield, about 3 miles away for the afternoon and the organisation was brilliant - even Wills and Kate, with Harry popped in for an unannounced visit to chat to people and have lunch in the pub in the next village - all very relaxed





I managed a handshake & brief chat with Prince Harry, in the beer garden - so as Royalist that was a highlight





Watching the Tour on the big screen was like a computer game - taken from 200' up in a chopper - with the Peloton riding along all my favourite biking roads - it was a bit weird

At about 4pm the riders came through as one, and the noise, the wind and the spectacle was phenomenal - all the tour entourage was also having a ball, with police riders 'high fiving' the crowd

So because I had enjoyed it so much on the Saturday, I decided to go out on the Sunday to see stage 2 and picked the first mountain climb to view - Cote de Blubberhouses between Harrogate and Skipton as it had easy access to trackside on the northern edge which would allow me to get back into the Dales to ride stage 1 on my bike

Nipping over to Pateley Bridge and Greenhow, I was able to access via Thruscross reservoir right to the stage (along with 10,000 others)

Parking the bike up and then crossing the road, to get right on the finish line of the first mountain climb - how jammy was that?

The build up is worth watching and I only had to wait 30 mins for the first riders too





French Gendarme on a FJR1300



R1200RT WC..............I thought these were grounded, must have been a proper one ...sans ESA



The first 2 riders, over the line to claim their points in the first of nine mountain climbs that day



The Peloton arrive 3-4 minutes later







Then the team cars



After the excitement the crowd dispersed and I thread my way along the single track road, with 5000 others back to the reservoir and then onto Greenhow

I had decided to ride stage 1 on my bike, before all the decorations had been removed, so started at Threshfield and made my way up to Kettlewell and Buckden

Late lunch stop at one of my favourite cafes - the Village Tea rooms, in Buckden - time to take in the stunning views and the bunting - the Dales were eerily quiet after all the commotion a day before





Stunning Swaledale view going over Cote de Buttertubs



Down through Swaledale to Reeth, for a quick comfort break and spotted this.............something to warm a Yorkshireman's heart (even an honorary one)

Free bread and even ice creams too, in a freezer - nice to cool down and have a break and that's bread rolls lunch for today sorted - yes, I did donate the bucket for Cancer Research.................a nice touch and a fitting end to a most memorable of weekends

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Some more iconic images

http://www.buzzfeed.com/scottybryan/ey-up-yorkshire

 

[y2blade]

caught some of LeTour coverage, nice scenery...I must visit the YorkSHIRE dales sometime

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

caught some of LeTour coverage, nice scenery...I must visit the YorkSHIRE dales sometime

If you haven't yet...................you're definitely missing a trick

These roads are made for cycling and motorcycling

 

[y2blade]

Nope, up that way We've done Northumbria twice and Lake District twice...but never been to Yorkshire Dales.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Nope, up that way We've done Northumbria twice and Lake District twice...but never been to Yorkshire Dales.

It'd be a pleasure to have................Yorkshire would welcome you here

 

[Lord Snooty]

Looked great Johnny. I have watched the ITV4 highlights for both days and it looked fabulous. I think it fair to say that Yorkshire have done the country proud in the way it has embraced the TDF and the TDF director has been stunned by the crowds and enthusiasm. Great stuff.

 

[y2blade]

We are currently in a golden age for British Cycling that's for sure.

 

[Melch]

...but, but, but, would you just look at them, completely blocking the road, not even attempting to ride single file. The arrogance of these people. I'm outraged. I hope you shouted at them Johnny.

 

[shready]

We are currently in a golden age for British Cycling that's for sure.

Since a Kenyan won TDF last year

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

...but, but, but, would you just look at them, completely blocking the road, not even attempting to ride single file.

The arrogance of these people.

I'm outraged.

I hope you shouted at them Johnny.

Lol.........I agree normally, but for the last 2 days I forgave them.............the Peloton - the noise, the air, the whoosh ............was amazing

 

[y2blade]

Lol.........I agree normally, but for the last 2 days I forgave them.......the Lycra......the Peloton - the noise, the air, the Lycra, the whoosh ............was amazing

Did you need Kleenex?

 

[Melch]

Lol.........I agree normally, but for the last 2 days I forgave them.............the Peloton - the noise, the air, the whoosh ............was amazing

It is quite a spectacle aint it. I've seen it a couple of times in France. The only thing I found, is there is a big build up with all the 'caravan' before, then they all come whooshing through in ten seconds flat and that's it, game over and you're left feeling 'oh, is that it? Can't they come past another couple of times? Oh ok, I'll go home then.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Did you need Kleenex?

Nice edit

I didn't................but SWMBO did, after watching 190... fit lycra clad athletes

A swift half of Theakston's Old Peculiar, on Sat afternoon soon sorted her out though

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Good Post JB, we had recorded both local days and ood and ahd at all the roads and places we know. Fantastic event over 2.5 million spectators lining the route. Most enjoyable. Many friends went to view. Sunday we went out for a run and the upside of TDF ,F1 and tennis, well the roads were empty. Fantastic on all fronts

 

[discoed]

And mine the day before having a snoop around the set up



Oh and some cycles

 

[Nutty]

Nice pics JB.

 

[Bmmike08]

I saw the Essex section of the Tour de France passing through Felsted - my old school village. Not so hilly an area full of picturesque villages.

Safe riding,
Mike

 

[MickDB1]

Fabulous pictures Johnny
I was very lucky to have ridden with Archie some of the route the 2 days before they all came through. The tarmac was racetrack quality. I was a bit concerned of accidents with the tightness of some of the bends in the derbyshire section but they all seemed to just take it in their peddle (cant say stride can I). Anyone from Yorkshire or the surrounding area could not be prouder of the the race route choice - I hope they give the main man who got it as the grand depart a knighthood . Brilliant just brilliant. Only downside is that it is going to be busy for a few decades - but mainly at weekends so thats fine for me.

 

[GSTourer]

It is quite a spectacle aint it. I've seen it a couple of times in France. The only thing I found, is there is a big build up with all the 'caravan' before, then they all come whooshing through in ten seconds flat and that's it, game over and you're left feeling 'oh, is that it? Can't they come past another couple of times? Oh ok, I'll go home then.

I went to Paris for the final day some years ago............They still 'whoosh' past, they just do it a bit more often!

Well worth a weekend trip though.