Hello,
I'm just trying to plan what we're doing to watch the tour de france on stage 1 from Leeds to Harrogate.
We're considering going somewhere rural / out of the way so we don't get caught up in the crowds too much.
Does anyone know if the publicity caravan stops to give out freebies along the whole route, or if its only in particular locations?
Thinking we might not get any swag if we stand somewhere off the beaten path (probably don't need the swag anyhow, just would be nice to know whether to expect it or not)
Cheers
And where is this quiet out of the way area that no one will be going to that you speak of?
You have no chance of getting any where on the day, most roads around the route are closed or will be impassible.
The only bit the caravan isnt going up is Haworth main street.
In answer yes they are giving stuff out all the time, but I assume they have limited stock / get tennis elbow after a while
I think it runs the whole route ahead of the race. Went to Paris-Roubaix for the first time this year and there was plenty of tat being chucked out of vans and cars, got a feeling it's the same for Le Tour.
http://m.northyorks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=28354
Might help a bit? Not sure if it answers you questions, but does have a link to road closures etc.
I stood on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells last time and they were happily chucking tat at us there. Rode home with my jersey pockets stuffed with shampoo and household cleaner samples. Really wasn't worth it!
Think we will be riding the BW over from Litton that drops to Starbottom. Should be a good way to get there and better than fighting with the cars. Anyone else doing similar in the same area?
C
Generally the caravan slows on the climbs to hand out the free stuff. Long straights they tend to blast along to the next crowded area. If you want free stuff make sure your kids are visibly as they mostly aim for the kids. Keep
An eye open for the haribo, mandelines, and mini cured sausages...nom nom! Oh and watch out for the crazy vittel throwers. A bottle of water in the face at 30mph hurts I can tell ya!
Think we will be riding the BW over from Litton that drops to Starbottom. Should be a good way to get there and better than fighting with the cars. Anyone else doing similar in the same area?
Probably going to ride over from Horton round the back to top of Kidstones. If it's as rammed as I reckon, I'll probably watch from the edge of the escarpment there.
what the others said.
Caravanne does the whole route chucking stuff out wherever there's crowds. Tend to speed along the flatter routes and hand out the nicer stuff like KOM tops on the climbs but if you have your kids in plain view they will probably get their attention.
Be prepared to have people physically barge you out of the way to grab a bit of plastic tat ahead of you and yes, been whacked in the face quite a few times by bags of haribo, mobile phone covers/cleaners.