worth going down to that there London town to see?
Couple of hours on the M40 and tube to see 2 boats crawl past? Or major sporting event that everyone should see once?
Mrs P quite keen to go, not sure myself. Help needed.

Waste of time, pubs are rammed, unless you can see a big screen or near a tannoy, you will have no idea what's going on. It's definatly a sport where tv is a bonus, apart from the 3 hour build up.

However if you want to tick a box and say you have been, pack a bacpack with food and drinks and have a wee radio so can tune in to what's going on on the buts you can't see,

Much better to see on tv surely… can see the whole thing rather than a couple of mind as they come by. Might be some atmosphere at the finish, but folk don't exactly line the banks!!!

Ridiculous idea.

Is it not a toffs event?

Couple of hours on the M40 and tube to see 2 boats crawl past?

Crawl past? best you go then…

I wouldn't have thought it would be worth a two hour drive to see. Much better on TV. If you are already in London,and are looking for something to do, I'd go.

bruneep – Member

Is it not a toffs event?

Yes that's right, Rowing is a sport for all. In Chester, Royal Chester is a club for the "toffs", Grosvenor Rowing Club is for the "proles". King's School for the "toffs".

I rowed for Grosvenor and nearly went to King's, a toff I am not! 😉

An excellent sport.

What time is it on? Not the most important event for Spanish schedulers.

to see 2 boats crawl past

You'd be surprised how fast they're going. Which means your two hour journey should catch you two minutes of actual boat race 😕

What is it about the boat race that catches the public's imagination? A couple of University teams made up these days mostly of foreign post-grads imported soley for the event in what is really a minority sport. And every Tom, Dich & Harry supports one or other team. Why?

psling, ex rower/sculler 😉

Ok, decision made.
Sun's just come out so bikes out of the garage and riding it is.
Thanks for the info chaps. I reckon it's a bit too much travelling for not enough spectacle and probably too much pushing and shoving to get a decent view.

Good fun 15 years ago when I was 25, bantering with the students in the pubs along the towpath and trying to tap off, before a big night out in London with mates.

Now as a 40 year old, I'd feel a bit 'sinister' trying the same……