True BB, but only if your’e remotely interested in cycling. You know as well as I do what the majority of the population of Harrogate are like. Non cyclist who travel round the corner to M & S in a Range Rover.
You are indeed correct. My FiL is hating every minute of it... but to be fair to him he does have to go to the hospital 3 times a week for treatment.
Must be pretty crap if you are stuck in the “loops” circuit... you certainly are blocked in (seems like an odd thing to do for the organisers IMO, close all roads.... because that inner loop must have 1000 houses inside it)
So I do see everyone’s POV.
I’m looking forward to today’s events, just hoping the weather stays nice enough for people to come outside.
Well the weathers not that bad today. Sunshine with a few scattered dark clouds, but it’s warm and the road outside the farm is dry…
I think I met that warm dry front about 5 yards from my office. Belting it down when I left the house this morning. The end of our village is/was flooded clean across as I got there, not seen it like that in a few years.
I hope it holds for the riders today.
Nice in both Richmond (start location) and Harrogate at the moment but it did chuck it down earlier.
I stopped at s garage just north of Harrogate on the way in to jetwash the car - very important that the official cars are spotless! - and there was some woman in the queue in front talking to the cashier saying how many people has gone away bout of Ripon just to avoid it all.
Although she wasn't actively slagging it off so I suppose that's a positive. I reckon the crowds will build now. TTing is dull at the best of times, now we're getting into the road races it should be much more engaging.
I find it incredible that according to an early survey by the council a huge 78% of businesses did not attend any of the pre event road shows put on to let folks know what was happening, how they could take advantage and what impact it may have on their business 😯
I hope they do a follow up to ask why not....
crazy legs - are you in the Merc?
When the Tour of Britain came through our small town of Marple,(a few weeks ago) everyone seemed to get on board. Local cafes, shops and eateries did well and definitely had extra custom.
Of course this was a one day and not a week.
When the Tour of Britain was set for a few days in Cumbria, last year it brought in millions of pounds in tax receipts.
crazy legs – are you in the Merc?
Slumming it in a BMW 5 Series this week.
Sunny R’ogate... #nocars
Twin discs??
Let the froth begin..
Twin discs??
Let the froth begin..
Not sure about froth but mounting the caliper on the right back-to-front? 🤢
2006 project bike from canyon..
2006 project bike from canyon.
Ah well, as you're in starling you can get all the froth you like on a coffee if you're so inclined. They also do a good line in caramel shortbread. And beer.
TTing is dull at the best of times, now we’re getting into the road races it should be much more engaging.
I must say I'd have bookended the week with the elite road races. I do think TT is better for spectating though.
Men's juniors just passed through the village. Still a pretty tight pack this far in apart from three or four straglers well behind the others. Assume they had early tech troubles maybe.
Le Fin..
Junior Rd race interesting. I’m off into the shed to aero my brake levers. 😉
You know on tdf Eurosport and they criticise the french tv producers for the choice of tv shots? Have the beeb hired Pierre the Producer?
Assume they had early tech troubles maybe.
Few small crashes and lots of punctures
Yay - pissing down again !
one or two regretting their cassette selection
one or two regretting their cassette selection
Yup, should have iPods, much more selection....
one or two regretting their cassette selection
Most of the Junior Men simply won't have ridden on roads even close to this steep and technical. The Seniors will be a bit more used to it from Tour of Britain, Tour de Yorkshire etc.
Got a chance to chat with one of the Kuwaiti women - first time she'd ever ridden in the UK and she LOVED it. Said the weather was mental, never seen anything like it. She was really keen to race on Saturday. 🙂
close to this steep and technical
I remember doing a ride from Harrogate off road out to Buckden via West Burton some years ago. I was ruined by West Burton so skipped the off road section from there towards Hawes and took the road I'd somehow convinced my self was flat from there to Buckden. I actually had to get off the bike and have a bit of a cry followed by a strong word with my self when I turned the corner to find the very definitely not flat kidstones bank.
Brian Smith is SUCH an arse. Eurosport commentary....
On the BBC coverage it looks like carnage - so many crashes!
The American who’s done most of the work will sleep tonight. Fair play.
cafe stop!
Well, it was blooming fabulous 👍👍👍🤗
Yes it rained for a little while, but that’s nothing compared to what the riders endured.... rather enjoyed 🤣
The winner:
The police have snipers all over the place..
What IS that last photo?😳
What IS that last photo?
Anti-terror barriers.
To be honest they're not really there for anti-terror, it's because ****wit locals can't be trusted not to attempt to drive through/around simple cones and it means the marshals get a bit less stick.
They have barriers everywhere in town, some are those really large cast iron bases... designed to stop vehicles “in a bit of a rush”
That one ^^ is at the bottom of Montpellier Gardens, spans the road and all the way up to Bettys Tea Rooms.. clearly expecting a smash and grab of the cakes 🤣🤷♂️🤧
To be fair to the crowds, those that I talked to this is the first time they’ve been to a UCI event... came for today and back the rest of the week.. so it does look like more people are appearing for the latter events... and judging by today’s crowd most stayed to cheer the last rider over the line 👊👏👏
And the suns out again 🌻🌞🌞
, it’s because **** locals can’t be trusted [s] not to attempt [/s] to drive
FTFY
Aaah. I had no idea. Country living muppet here so I don’t see this sort of stuff normally.
Twin discs! Yes please. Currently my trike has twin rim brakes. Both on the front wheel of course.
Watched the start in Richmond with work and saw odd bits of the tv coverage. The Colombian lad in tears was heartbreaking! Really glad he got to finish!
The Dutch have arrived 🤣🤣🤣
This Junior Women's race is a bit crashy. 🙁
What’s the weather like over there ? It’s sunny’ish but windy in Harrogate ..
****s sake, this is awful to watch. American rider taken out in the feed zone by the Polish soigneur moving too far into the bunch.
It’s sunny’ish but windy in Harrogate
Same, breezy in places but dry. God only knows the chaos if it was raining!
Watching on TV until they get into town.
No loops today, for those coming into town. They just come along the finish from the bottom of Parliament St....
Rain just starting in Harrogate....
Oh this is heartbreaking, it's just carnage. 😢
Lost count of the number of crashes in that Junior Women's race. Nailbiting finish though and probably the least predictable result!
😱
God, you’ve got to feel for those who crashed and ran over the line 😱🤯
Brilliant effort to all of em’
🥳🥳🥳👍👍👍💥
best National jersey?
Big fan of the Belgium jersey:
and the Norway one is pretty good too.
Men’s Under 23 next, starts at 2pm.
They will only do 2 laps of the inner Harrogate loop today.
Its stopped raining for the time being... 🤞
It wasn't really enjoyable seeing those brave girls crashing all over the place.
The crash into the finish actually made me cry.
So many of them not making it back.
They were still coming over the line about ten minutes after the group finish.
They weren't half moving though once into Harrogate. I caught them at the empress roundabout, rode down York Place towards the finish once the bunch were through and they were crossing the 1000m line as I got to the Prince of Wales roundabout.
Which channel on BBC is this on I cannot see it in the listings?
Red button or on the website
Thank you
Raining on and off in Harrogate but actually reasonable weather at the start in Doncaster.
U23 Men's start very soon.
The atmosphere is currently 50% air and 50% water around Skipton! Got one of those really nasty showers going through.
Got one of those really nasty showers going through.
Might help those of a more CX persuasion... 😉
Going to Harrogate on Sunday. Is the fan zone on grass or hard standing?
Grass! Wellies needed 🙂 Worth a visit though
Seems starling really has been rapha-ed. I just saw three men pull the sort of face I'd expect to follow being told "I'm sorry but it's very bad news" by your doctor when told no to the question "do you have protein powder to go in the milk shakes?"
Did one of those riders lose their front wheel (literally, it was separate from the bike) either in the crash, or causing the crash?
Going to Harrogate on Sunday. Is the fan zone on grass or hard standing?
This isn’t gospel... so take it with the intention is meant.. but...
I was told yesterday that if the rain forecast does appear on Sunday... (torrential) the Fan Park might be closed....
(from a stand owner)
I realise that riders have to obey the call of nature, but shirley the camera man could turn onto something a bit more pleasant.
Unfortunate timing.If that had been me,I’d have just wet my pants.
Tell you what, the atmosphere in Harrogate and along the race route now is something else. Crowds *everywhere*. The noise going up the finishing straight, wow!
Still no official result for mens under 23, "jury decision in progress."
There's been a complaint holding up the u23 results... I bet it's from one of the pushy parents!
I’m excepting bikebuoy to come streaking out of hospitality any minute.
My eyes are glued to the top left.
😉
OMG!
Edit; So pleased for Tom Pidcock
I got home from work (in Harrogate!) to watch them go through Boroughbridge, stood at the most likely place for a crash, outside the Tourist Info.
Was disappointed.
Must admit though that it was like a mini Tour de France.
Was his drafting OTT blatant? Seems harsh if it was just the usual coming back after a crash, especially if it was early on in the race. I didn't see it so don't really know.
They all know the rules, hardly fair on the other riders if you get to the end of the race that bit fresher because of it, fair play is a big thing in cycling at the moment. It's good to see that the ones doing all the work in the latter part of the race were the ones on the podium too.
i think he went full nibali. theres a video on twitter with very sticky bottles. but why they waited until the end is daft.
Awww I thought the big lad deserved that at the time. But if he cheated, well, that's that I guess
I'm now wondering if the italians led the complaint. That would be a bitter irony.
Well well... it was simply a fabulous day for all the riders and especially the marshalls and helpers on the course .... staying out in those conditions was quite something else, and yes I know it’s the Worlds, but blooming ek! those last few riders who finished the course were simply amazeballz. My heart goes out to those that got dropped, to those that rode most of it on their own and to those that tried and ultimately faltered.... my admiration for the competitors is surpassed by any road race I’ve ever witnessed.
I can’t comment about the final results because I got caught at the top of “maty vde p” hill chatting to a bunch of very drunk Dutch and Belgian camper van owners..... whilst cheering the very last few up the last drag before Valley Gardens decent.
Whatever happened at the line, was beyond my expectations... I too caught the end on a mobile phone watching the footage and the crowds near me went ballistic.... they thought they’d won it.
We trotted into town to watch the presentation and like most were confused when the Dutch guy didn’t appear... what ever the reasons, I’m sure they were valid if controversial..
Hey ho!
The atmosphere in town was utterly fabulous, simply those that came out in the town despite the light drizzle before the sun came out was utterly stunning. Literally everyone was either shouting or whistling or cow bell bonging.
Its still going on... it’s a quarter to 11 and we’ve just walked in.. shattered.
Theres a great light show in the clouds... this is my final shot of the day...
Sounds like a good day out BB
'Like'
i think he went full nibali. theres a video on twitter with very sticky bottles. but why they waited until the end is daft.
It's almost impossible to DQ a rider mid-race.
The decision on penalties and fines is taken by the Commissaire Panel, not just one official. So evidence of any transgression are recorded and discussed up at the end with the full rulebook to hand, not just one Comm going "oh that's a bit naughty, DQ".
The other thing is that pulling a rider out involves getting a moto up to them (while they're racing) and having the moto pilot yell across that he's DQ'd which invariably results in an argument, other riders get involved, it gets heated....
You do it afterwards and the penalty can actually depend on the result. If you draft a car for miles and end up coming in 5 minutes down in 79th position, chances are they'll just give a fine. If you win the race, it's a bit more serious because the transgression has meant you're much fresher at the end so it's impacted the result.
So it seems the Dutch rider was Dq’d for drafting for 30secs having got back on after dislocating his shoulder and riding back on...
🤷♂️
Seems harsh IMO.
So it seems the Dutch rider was Dq’d for drafting for 30secs having got back on after dislocating his shoulder and riding back on…
He was holding the team car, they looked at his GPS trace. 40mph up a hill for a significant amount of time kind of did it for him. They'd have probably turned a blind eye to 30s of drafting but it wasn't that!
Anyway, what's the call for this afternoon?
It's actually not beyond the realms of possibility to have a Dutch 1-2-3 with Vos, Blaak, Pieters, Van Der Breggen, van Vleuten....
Lizzie Deignan obviously.
Amanda Spratt? One of the Americans?
I guess “we” will never see that sort of evidence, purely reading the News this morning’s interviews is all I read...
Anyway today?
No idea... erm.. Van Vluten then 🤷♂️
It’s sunny and kinda dry ATM... heading into town for breakfast..
My friend and I are heading up soon, armed with wellies and waterproofs for the fan zone.
Any recommendations for places to watch in the town?
after the time trial, then the American Dygart must be up there. She was bonkers strong.
The Dutch could close it down though. The US has to break it into smaller pieces to give Dygart a crack.