[Closed] Got any plans to see the TDF in Yorshire ?

I live 200 yards from the route, so to make things interesting, I'm going to go somewhere completely different to watch. Apparently a lot of the route in my town is going to be closed from 5am on race day, so some planning will be needed, probably a bivvy behind a wall.

Have you looked at this?

http://letour.yorkshire.com/stage-2

I have plans - sadly that weekend is also my (non-cycling) son's 11th birthday, so they are mostly scuppered....

Where will Stage 2 be won (break away apart)? On Holme Moss? Or do you think the peleton will hold together?

Where can I camp??

bspoked - Member
Where will Stage 2 be won (break away apart)? On Holme Moss? Or do you think the peleton will hold together?

I will hopefully be at Holme Moss to see 😀 my best guess is the breakaway will be caught at the the top and bring the Peleton back together after the climb.

YSS caving hut in Helwith Bridge ,3 peaks hq very clean self catering fiver a night .Bit further than you want about 30 miles but quick road most of the way

I had plans to stay and watch from Askrigg in Wensleydale where I have family. Seeing them fly down Buttertubs would have been awesome. Some very close friends decided to arrange a wedding that same weekend though.

hora - Member
Where can I camp??

Bit bloody pricey...

[url= http://www.velofest.co.uk/shop/ ]Velofest ( expensive ) Camping[/url]

But too be fair They do seem to be making it into a mini festival type thingy which may be a laugh ( I will not be staying there)

Holmfirth will be an absolute nightmare. Loads of people will be [b]hoping[/b] to get too Holme Moss.

I live in Leeds so think I will watch the depart then go home to watch the stage 1, then ride to Holme Moss and sleep in a field. Got some recon to do...

I'm in Oldham so I'm going to ride up over to the top of Cragg Vale and watch them at the top, then ride home.

not sure I'll make stage 1, though I do have family (ish) in Knaresborough who might be useful. Will ride out from Sheffield to see stage 2 somewhere. Hopefully I can ride out on the morning and won't be forced to sleep in a ditch like some sort of lycra-clad tramp.

If the road is closed (to cars?) can we still cycle up it to a certain point? Does anyone know? I was looking at Holme Moss too.

richpips - Member
Holmfirth will be an absolute nightmare. Loads of people will be hoping to get too Holme Moss.

Your Probably right, My other thought was watching the start but that will be even more mobbed ? I remember many many moons ago watching the Tour of Britain Finish ( The year Max Sciandri won, 1992 ?) in Leeds and it was mobbed then it will be much worse this time

As I live in Harrogate and the A59 is across a field from my front door and we have friends in Otley, should get a good view on both days!!

Campsite and b and b at Dunford bridge 5 miles from Holme moss.
Holmfirth is a nightmare at the best of times but there are many back roads and such sneaky routes on the way from Dunford, scammonden

Cragg Vale, Ripponden Bank, Holme Moss and so on will be 5 deep all the way up.

The Kellogs Tour and the Leeds/Wincanton Classic used to see big crowds back in the day, but now cycling has got popular all the climbs will be packed.

I think it will surprise some folk how quickly the hills are climbed, so don't count on seeing much for long.

There are places to see them which won't be too bad, but I'm not saying where or how to get there... 😉

From the website

Are the roads going to be closed for walkers and cyclists?
The roads usually remain open for walkers and cyclists long after they have been shut to motor vehicles, but you still have to be in position some time before the riders are due because it is preceded by the Tour Caravan.

We're in Burnley.

Hopefully watching day 1 somewhere near Askrigg.
Day 2 we'll be riding over to Hebden, got a few places in mind 😀

If anyone's really stuck, we've got a spare room*
No pressure.
[img] [/img]

*cost - 1 Surly Disc Trucker, 52cm, panniers filled with cake.

I'm going to ride out from Thorner to catch them in a couple of places on the first day.

The second day again roll out from Thorner to catch them near the start. Then head down the M1 to get them on some hills before the finish.

What about Day 3? - given the boys birthday, might have to make a dawn raid from Derby towards Cambridge.....

We're all at a distinct advantage over all the fatties who intend to drive out to see it because we all cycle offroad (well some of us 😉 ) it shouldn't be too hard to find a nice route where you could cycle out from somewhere else a few miles away, sit on a grassy bank with some cake, watch the riders pass by then cycle back.

Living in Harrogate I plan on riding to Pool to see the early part of stage 1, then ride back home before seeing them go up Ripon Road on the way to the finish.
For stage 2 I think I'll go to the top of Kex Gill (blubberhouses ) , ride home to watch the finish on tele before getting the train to London for stage 3 finish on Monday

been to the tour in france on 3 occasions. once was on the finish line of a timetrial in nantes.
I will watch it from my sofa, via eurosport.

They go past my house 🙂

I'm riding from Manchester to the somewhere on cragg vale

It's my birthday that day !!!!

I'm hoping it completely pisses it down all day so that only the hardcore fans are there 😉

well i live in Harrogate, not decided where to see it on both days, but plans will be made 😀

I'm hoping it completely pisses it down all day so that only the hardcore fans are there

Well I am Not !

I am hoping for Sunshine, A great advert for Britain, a really nice ride and a great start to my 3 weeks of TDF TV watching.

I think Ton has some logic in that approach. 10 seconds of watching some bikes fly by for hours of riding or queuing. With the usual Yorkshire horizontal rain, sat on damp soggy moorland.

I noticed that Manorlands ( charity hospice) in oxenhope is offering camping. It's pretty close to the climb over to hebden, you get to support a good cause and its an easy ish ride to somewhere for day one as well.

Similar approach to Ton from me.

It passes around 200 yards from our house so head up with the kids, fight to get a big green foam finger and a coca cola key ring, then back home for telly and beer/bbq.

Just looking at the stage 1 route, anyone reckon it will be chaos around the north section of the route towards Hawes etc ?

Just thinking I could take the bike on the car to Appleby or Kirkby Stephen and pedal over.

Tour goes within 2 miles first day and half a mile from my house second day .
southern relations have booked our spare rooms so will walk or cycle somewhere to see them both days as driving will be out of the question
I expect all the back roads to be gridlocked each day .

loads of campsites advertising along the route this one I can see from home
[url= http://www.tourdefrancecampingyorkshire.com/ ]Silsden camping [/url]

was talking to the guy in charge the other day and there will be big screens up and live bands performing so will pop down there after they have whizzed past and partake in a few bevvies and soak up the atmosphere

Simmy
it will be chaos with roads closed for upto 8 hours
you will need to be there the day before on all the big climbs

I'll be watching from the scaffolding tower I'm putting up in my back garden in Hebden. It comes right down past it on Keighley Road. 😀

Any ideas for what TDF themed thing I can paint on my shed roof to try and get it filmed by the helicopter? 🙂

Pretty shocked at those camping prices. Are people really going to spend 150 to watch a bunch of guys fly by in a matter of seconds? Wonder how many bookings they have.

£12.50 each per night per person if there are four sharing. dont sound too bad to me .

but yes there will be folks making hay for this one off event.

never having seen a tour stage live I do believe its not just the riders flashing past. there is also the caravan in front. and at he rear . and cheaper than going to,france to see it

It passes 3 of my employers locations, starts in my home town, and passes several of my mates houses. So I hope I should be able to find a good spot.

I'll be riding out both days to see 2mins of cycling, enjoy the rest of my ride and watch it later on tv.

Really looking forward to it. 🙂

Is anyone else planning on parking up the night before in a campervan to bag a spot? Watch it on TV as well as live?

never having seen a tour stage live I do believe its not just the riders flashing past. there is also the caravan in front. and at he rear .

It's not a great deal more. Several police and marshal outriders precede several sponsors/team/officials cars precede (maybe) a break-away then the peleton and then a few more sponsors/team cars. If you get by a KoM or a Sprint finish there is more likelihood of sponsors handouts. Most time spent getting into position and waiting is best spent mixing with other spectators; sharing some banter and having a laugh.

If you want more out of it get to a start or finish town, there will be loads going on and it'll be a lot more involving for a much longer time. And, a lot more crowded!

I live in leeds and have the monday booked off work but haven't planned much more than that. I have friends who live around holmfirth so will see what their plans are for stage 2 and go along with that I think. There are tentative plans to dump a vehicle in advance then cycle out to it on the day.

One option I have just been offered is to share a pitch here...

[url= http://www.festivalofcycling.org/standard-campsite-packages/ ]Harewood house festival of cycling[/url]

Might be fun.

The tour is great -in France fighting for free hats ,keyrings and Haribo with old French ladies in the rain on a hill is one memory from a couple of years ago .A stage finish is a great multinational day out

Try this for a festival of camping and cycling, bands, showers, saunas, beer at Rugby Club prices, big screen coverage and route side location.
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/psa-letourfest-2014-glcamping-cycling-music-idyllic-surroundings

Thanks Scapegoat ( It's not just me that has threads with no replies 😀 )

[url= http://tourdefrancecampingyorkshire.net/ ]Camping link from Scapegoat [/url]

The more I think about the more i like the idea of a b and b or hotel. and perhaps a day pass to one of the festival type thingy's.

dont make the rookie error of watching on a fast flat or downhill unless its near the finish, always the climbs.
theres a reason the alpine climbs are packed with spectators and the descents deserted.

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Tom Hawkins (Event Director) & Alex Wainman (Event Manager)

I'm going to spend 3 days in Northern France / Belgium and watch the cobbles section, as its easier to get to from the deep south than Yorkshire.

And the beers better 😉

We've been planning for this. We've a farm just on the outskirts of Harrogate and have converted one of the fields into a campsite already. We've organised shower rooms, toilet blocks, electric hookups and a guide for the route and best places to watch the Tour from the roadside. We're sold out. We had 200 spaces, sold out to all sorts of folk, loads from the USA, loads from Belgium and Denmark.. Seems the word got around reet quick like....
We're looking forward to this..
I've ridden the Masham through Skipton route 3 times so far, even though the council have been resurfacing the roads, it's been a great route choice with the only downside being the Skipton to Harrogate road being so dull.. Should be a great finish and evenings entertainment...all on West Park in the town (near the Stray)
😀

I can stay at the inlaws nearby and cycle to it I guess. Doesit go up Elland bypass/down Halifax Old rd?

**** lining peoples pockets taking advantage of fans 😉

We live in Tod. Plan for Day one is to ride over on road bikes and stay in Reeth the night before, and watch it in the morning then ride home.

Planning an off-road route from Tod to where we've buried the beer for Day 2. Then back to Tod Park where there'll be a large screen to watch the finish.

A friend is getting the briefings and the organisers are expecting an additional 4 million people to visit Yorkshire for the Tour.

I've only seen one big race - the Tour of Flanders which goes up the same cobbled climbs nearly every year. Houses on the route build nice platforms in their gardens so that they can see over the heads of the people 5 deep over the garden wall.

Based on us coming down from the Borders, it'll be somewhere accessible by MTB between Hawes and Reeth I imagine.

heading over to Oxenhope road on the bridalways to doss down for the night I guess

I think Holme Moss could be a bit busy on the day 🙂

We're planning an SAS-style covert watching post on Holme Moss. We're going to go deep undercover around a week before, lay low near the best viewing spot, then pop out - probably right in the middle of the road - minutes before the riders pass.

The logistics of watching the climb on Holme Moss should be 'interesting' I think. Mostly the side of the road consists of sloping gorse-covered moorland with added armco and wire fences. God help anyone trying to park up there, riding or walking's the hot ticket I reckon. Have a look at google street view and you'll see what I mean.

Bear in mind that compared to the climbs in the Alps, Holme Moss is a pimple of a thing, so try not to blink or you'll miss it. That said, looking down from the top should be good.

A good assessment, BWDog, but you wouldn't believe the number of people I've already met who've expressed the vague idea of just strolling up there on the day - and that's just the locals! 🙂

Oh, I totally believe you. I am local btw, on the Derbyshire side of the road. I'm thinking of leaving the bike behind walking out the front door and maybe bivvying up above Crowden the night before with some nice wine and food then moseying on over in the morning. I reckon the key to the thing is to make it part of a bigger day, maybe a stop and gawp point on a longer ride or part of a walk/bivi trip. Plenty of potential for that.

We have another plan as well, but that one's a secret squirrel exercise 🙂

As I'm based around Cragg vale / hebden me and the mates are just thinking we will get put on the mtb bikes early morning and head towards somewhere around crag maybe..... Loads of options for us getting there via roads paths and biddleways...

Thing is.. We know it's going to be busy... Question is how busy!!!!!!!!

however...... Then one part of us thinks is it best to leave the bikes at home and walk it because we may struggle to stay near the front having to watch the bikes........

We've booked a Mahoosive cottage/barn for the week in Reeth. Goes past the front door by all accounts.

Im going to run alongside the riders naked with my cock slapping hars against my thighs and arms held aloft

however...... Then one part of us thinks is it best to leave the bikes at home and walk it because we may struggle to stay near the front having to watch the bikes........

Entirely agree, bikes could be a real millstone on the day.

Im going to run alongside the riders naked with my cock slapping hars against my thighs and arms held aloft

Join the queue 🙂

I live at the bottom of Keighley Road in Hebden so it makes sense to ride up to the weather station on Cock Hill and watch them come up from Oxenhope. But I'm juggling the needs of my crew. I'll have cycling mates who'll want to ride up, my Dad who's not a cyclist but would be happy making the 6 mile walk, and then a 6 year-old who wouldn't be able to do the walk or the ride. Plus a wife and a two year-old who I think will be staying at home and watching them come past our house.

Hebdencyclist, I have been trying all day to book somewhere to stay in Hebden ( well west Yorshire really) on the 4th and 5th...A long shot but do you know of any worth trying ?

Live about 1Km from the aforementioned caving hut at Helwith Br. (many people on here know our house). It is 1 hours road ride to the route (Kilnsey/Kettlewell) or 2/3hours MTB ride. I think we will have many people here on the Fri night!

I know the farmer at Cray (the steep climb near Buckden) who has set up a website for camping and viewing right alongside the route on the steep hill

C

BTW all the B&Bs around here were booked up within 7 days of the route being announced. You will be doing well to get anything beyond camping (or staying with friends!) now

C

Hebdencyclist, I have been trying all day to book somewhere to stay in Hebden ( well west Yorshire really) on the 4th and 5th...A long shot but do you know of any worth trying ?

There's b&b at the White Lion, The Crown Inn and the Robin Hood. If no joy at these, try the camp site at The New Delight. It's out of the way but you'll have both road and MTB options for getting to the Tour route from there. And it has the advantage of being next to a pub 🙂

the Buck in Buckden was full within 2 hours

A friend is getting the briefings and the organisers are expecting an additional 4 million people to visit Yorkshire for the Tour.

Just googled the population of Yorkshire as of 2012 it was 5.3 million
that a lot of extra folks visiting

Thanks Hebden 😀

As far as I could see the Crown were auctioning the dates 🙄

I thought I was in at the white Lion but the conformation e mail was just a tease.

I will check out the Robin Hood.

Chris, yes I am slow of the mark however I get my years work schedule in Jan, so was not sure I would be around.

It's all good though I have a couple of backup options. Also My mate Ted will be living there soon ( If you ride MTB there you will meet him sooner or later 😀 , we are going to miss him )

I am really looking forward to it, we have also decided with all this talking about it to do the routes at sometime before the big the big day.

There are 2 Robin Hoods and they are both on the route. You want the one in Peckett Well (small village above Hebden)

Cheers again.

They are the ones Auctioning the room ! trouble with that is entries end in Feb so gives less time to find a back up.

[url= http://www.therobinhoodinn.com/ ]Robin Hood Pecket well[/url]

Surely Pecket Well is on the long downhill and they will be going through there at 80KmPH+!

C

Surely Pecket Well is on the long downhill and they will be going through there at 80KmPH+!

Ride 3 miles up to the weather station and watch them coming *up* the hill. And don't call me Shirley.

Been an absolute nightmare this last summer getting the ski boat up the Dales, all the bloody cyclists on the narrow roads riding tdf route sportives, it's only going to get worse this spring. We'll be waterskiing at our Lake nr Hawes as per usual on the day. We've already been told by tdf people what time they want us skiing on the lake for their heli camera fly over. watch on telly for my bare arse.

Been an absolute nightmare this last summer getting the ski boat up the Dales, all the bloody cyclists on the narrow roads riding tdf route sportives, it's only going to get worse this spring. We'll be waterskiing at our Lake nr Hawes as per usual on the day. We've already been told by tdf people what time they want us skiing on the lake for their heli camera fly over. watch on telly for my bare arse.

It must be hell for you. Hell, I say.

I'm going to try Cragg Vale. It's a long enough climb so there should be some room. Probably bike over unless lots of none cyclists decide to come with me. If so we'll park as close as possible and then walk. Be nice to see the rest in a boozer, maybe the Robin Hood or the Hinchcliff. Presumably these two places will have it on.

I am very excited. I may also do a naked run and would definately be up for a mass streak.:)
(TBF a solo streak up Cragg Vale would not be dissimilar to just standing naked in the croud with the speed they will be going)

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Alex

An absolute gent of a mate has managed to get us both in the Knaresborough Caravan site for the weekend. We'll no doubt be riding to see the race but it's also my 40th on the Sunday, so I'm gonna have a blinder regardless.

In regards to the Robin Hood and hunchcliffe, both will be rammed, more so the robin

I'm expecting it to be busy over the moors, but there's plenty of miles to spread the crowds...... So I think.....but who knows.....

One thing to note is there's hardly any parking on the last half of Cragg road.... Plus hearsay is all parked cars need to be moved too...........where is the question though..

In regards to hotels.. Just had a look online and there's a few showing spaces on the edge of halifax. (All rideable to the route/s... Also you can camp on the moors too if you wanted next to the route.