HarryBosch Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 Train from Rochdale to Hebden Bridge takes 20 mins and is £5.80 return, or £6.80 to Mytholmroyd. Mytholmroyd the better option with Hebden Bridge having the fan park? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldhamSheridan Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 We have just got back from driving from Leyburn, Aysgarth, Hawes, Buttertubs pass Reeth, Grinton then back to Leyburn. The Dales are chocker block with people camping, in farmers fields with caravan/camper vans,. And for weeks on end we have had thousands of cyclists doing "The route", including the teams. This thing is going to be massive. We are expecting 10,000 people in Leyburn as it is a designated hub, with lots of entertainment laid on. Should be very good. That's where I'm heading! But, you underestimate I think. It's 10,000 car parking spaces and 20,000 people on their site. Aim to get to the car park queue by 10:00 - and hope that there is decent organisation (aka wing it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100milesaway Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 That's where I'm heading! But, you underestimate I think. It's 10,000 car parking spaces and 20,000 people on their site. Aim to get to the car park queue by 10:00 - and hope that there is decent organisation (aka wing it). Mmmm I dont think that 20,000 people will fit in Leyburn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disjointed Posted July 4, 2014 Author Share Posted July 4, 2014 The other Yates might get a ride as Michael Matthews has crashed and had stitches in his hand. Unfortunately not, Matthews place has gone to Christian Meier a Canadian making his tour debut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disjointed Posted July 5, 2014 Author Share Posted July 5, 2014 (edited) Chaotic finish to todays stage, Cancellara really put the cat amongst the pigeons striking for home with 1.5 kms to go, the sprint teams seemed to panic and it was no surprise to see Cav crash, I hope Gerrans is ok after the crash as for me it was all Cav's fault. Fair play to Kittel though he looks unbeatable in the sprint. Special mention to Jens Voigt at 42 years old going alone again today, would love to see him win a stage. Edited July 5, 2014 by disjointed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TamarBridgeLatics Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 I agree with every word of that, Cancellara really did cause panic in the trains that were cranking up, reminded me of when Renshaw did his headbutting at the finish. Cavendish is riding a Specialised/Lotus frame, £16,000 worth in the same colour as his Lotus car. Breaks my heart to see that hit the deck, can't forgive him for that. But very well done to Kittel despite all of his complaining of the route beforehand, there's a 30% gradient before Sheffield tomorrow, isn't there? The whole stage today was magnificent, the scenery and crowds were just brilliant. It was like Alpe d'huez on the Buttertubs. And the weather held up, as well. Absolutely fantastic day to watch, congratulations to everyone involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_ragg1984 Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 The atmosphere in harrogate was something else. Once cav crashed you could have heard a pin drop. Saw Cav in his team car about 90 mins after the stage near the train station. He was getting a lot of cheers but he looked so gutted. He just didn't want to be there. That's bike racing though. Trekking up holme moss in 4 hours. Feel like a kid waiting for Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaticsChris Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 So was the chap I saw in the pink away kit at Cragg Vale today anyone on here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudemedic Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 If Alpe d'Huez is that much better than Holme Moss, then I want to go now. It was superb. Considering there was probably 50 minutes in total of action for the whole climb- 30 minutes of caravan for the freebies and 20 minutes for the climb; most of the crowd had been on there for several hours the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic. If you were younger than 15 or doing something off-kilter you got applauded up the hill by everyone. I walked the last 400 yards up to top alongside some tandem riders dressed as stereotypical French people, the amount of positive noise they got was fantastic. Oldham fans could learn something from that- the boost it gave to my ego, just by walking alongside them and managing to keep pace, nevermind theirs, was definitely noticeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disjointed Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 That was a unbelievable experience, rode to the top of Cragg Vale this morning and soaked up the sun and atmosphere amongst like minded crowds of people. As said every youngster that rode past on their small racing bikes or mountain bikes were given the full treatment, allez, allez, they must have felt like tour riders themselves. What crowds though, rode back into Hebden bridge after for refreshment, and the buzz about the place an hour later was still fantastic. Well done to tour Yorkshire organisers, you did yourself and the country proud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_ragg1984 Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 What an absolutely stunning day. Got on Holme Moss at 6am. Got a brilliant spot about half way up the climb, before the last bend on the steep bit. Could see down the climb to see the race approaching from Holme Village. The atmosphere all day was top notch. The kids getting cheered up the climb was really good. Some of them were bouncing up it like they were on the flat! When the race came through, it was just amazing. You are literally inches away from some of the worlds finest athletes. Got some great pics of the riders going past, including a few of Kittel in yellow. Geraint Thomas looked cool as ice at the front of that peleton. It really was one of the best days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TamarBridgeLatics Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I sat and watched from the start to the very end. What a show that was put on for the world to see, The scenery and atmosphere were superb. You always get a few dickheads at any major occasion, but with the selfie generation, I wouldn't expect anything else. Geraint Thomas said that it's the new pain-in-the arse with people getting in the way and taking selfies. We both remarked that in very few places there wasn't a crowd, and the noise all the way round was constant. People really made an effort for the Tour, and they can be proud of those 2 days. It was fantastic to show that not every major sporting event should be in or around London, what a start to the Tour. The course of the second day was brutal, it was more like a one-day classic such as Liege-Bastogne-Liege or Amstel Gold, boy it was tough for only the second day. It's a shame that Dan Martin of Garmin wasn't there, he'd have loved that course. Loved Kittel's attitude, as he said to a cameraman while grinning, "it's a beautiful day!". Enjoyed his time in yellow, and made the most of it all day long, even when he came in at the end. Absolutely stunning.all round. Off out on the bike for a couple of hours, then it's back to watch it all over again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackey Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Goes past my work about 15:15 today so I am going to potter down and have a watch... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24hoursfromtulsehill Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Goes past my work about 15:15 today so I am going to potter down and have a watch... Parliament Square at about 15.25 then? (Five miles at 30 mph.) I'll have to sit this one out because of a really fun management-Union bunfight. :censored: my luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorrro Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 *spoiler* Drugs win. */spoiler* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 *spoiler* Drugs win. */spoiler* Except they aren't on drugs. There's a reason they are slower today than they were 10 years ago. Look to the 100 sprint if you want to see doping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorrro Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Except they aren't on drugs. Where's the fun in that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Where's the fun in that? Personally I have nothing but the utmost respect for someone who can compete at the top level after a bong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Danny Boyle said he was delighted to see Yorkshire emerge temporarily from the shadow of its more illustrious neighbour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astottie Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I was a tourmaker in Honley yesterday and the turn out was very impressive and a really good atmosphere. In the hours before the race I reckon i saw 2-3000 bikes going up to Holme Moss, quite a sight. I spent most of my time removing children from the road as cars were whizzing towards them and their parents were taking photos of each other and checking phones for updates. I was mightily relieved that noone got killed on my watch! It was a miracle no spectator was hit by a car or a bike as they were standing in the road on a flattish stretch where the race was doing 30+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackey Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Well I can say I've watched it now. But it's not all that much when they're on the flat going 30+ and thus the entire thing takes about 10 seconds. Still, it's off the bucket list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Definitely you would get more from the experience at the top of a hill. I saw a flash, then some blokes slacking (presumably a breakaway that had been caught) then another flash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackey Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I saw two blokes, the entire pelaton and then two blokes right at the back... it was very 'meh' for me - but like you say perhaps the top of a climb is more interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_ragg1984 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I saw two blokes, the entire pelaton and then two blokes right at the back... it was very 'meh' for me - but like you say perhaps the top of a climb is more interesting. It would probably be a lot more interesting if you stood on the side of the road for a few hours. Watch the caravan go through, and the procession of support vehicles, and feel the atmosphere rise as the race gets closer. But then again, with a flat stage, watch at the finish line. If you are going to watch them whizz past, might as well watch as full gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_ragg1984 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Image for me was a chap at front of Peleton on Cragg Vale checked his food bag carefully wrapped it up and passed to child all with no hands on bars keeping at the front. Anyone who has been up it will know how hard it is. If the weather is bad, yeah it can be pretty tough for the last 4km because its exposed. But generally Cragg Vale is a pretty easy climb. It only averages 3%. There is a little bit in the middle where it ramps up, but I'd reckon for a pro that climb would be like me or you riding on the flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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