Plans for rides during the Tour weekend

[Dr Dave]

Many people have asked what is happening this weekend so i thought it might be an idea to start a thread so that folks could discuss plans for group rides on the Tour weekend, maybe to ride out, 'bag a spot' and spectate somewhere

I had thought it might be fun to ride out somewhere on the Saturday, watch the Caravan and race pass, then ride to somewhere hosting a big screen to watch the stage finish. Going anywhere will necessitate an early start of course.(some might prefer to drive part-way, park up and then ride in the rest of the way to the route). The Grinton climb (or the descent into Leyburn) might be suitable. Does anyone have other ideas?

[John B]

Hi Dave.

Graham & myself have been thinking the same, we need to organise some thing sooner rather than latter.

When we rode the Yorkshire Etape (Stage 1 route) we parked at Kirby Overblow and then rode the event.

We were thinking of again parking at kirby Overblow (early in the morning), & then riding over to the climb out of Reeth.
We would then have a decent ride, see the tour go by & hopfully support Mike Hughs who is riding in front with a group raising money charity, he will be a few hours in front of the peleton, so it would an ealy start.

John B

[Dr Dave]

Idea of driving out somewhere, parking up and cycling in is sound but not sure Kirkby Overblow ideal if Reeth is your destination. It's not much nearer Reeth than York and may be hard to get back from as traffic getting away from Harrogate after the race finish is likely to be grim.
I'd have thought Topcliffe/Thirsk might be a better bet.

[SueP]

I will be driving to a suitable parking spot then cycling to the route but as my team will consist of 6 adults and 6 kids I suspect we won't get much further into the dales then harewood house and indeed may actually only see the race before it even officially starts! I'll be happy if we make it without a Wiggo/Froome type power struggle for team leader.

It might be a day for the Wallace and Gromit 'keep up lad' shirt.

[tim_richardson]

Tricky to know where to go on stage 1! I have tickets for racecourse on stage 2. I was thinking about seeing what the club was up to but I am out in the evening so I don't have oceans of time later. I have looked at riding to ripon and seeing the inevitable chase to the breakaway from there. It's an easy hour and a bit from York and no closed roads to negotiate. I admit it's not quite as exciting as the climbs though!!

[IanH]

I want to drive out early to a destination with decent parking with a not too congested getaway afterwards, maybe somewhere like Dr Dave suggests heading out towards Grinton to spectate but don't want to ride too far as I will be carrying a rucksac with waterproofs food etc as I will be there for several hours to catch the precession of vehicles see Mikes power pelaton and the race of course, it would be good if quite a few members were together, please keep posting your intended plans or ideas.

Ian H.

[Dr Dave]

I reckon Thirsk/Topcliffe area is as close to Grinton as is reasonable to be able to drive to - or more accurately, to be able to drive from after the race as 1000s of cars trying to get out of the area might make long tailbacks - it's what happens in France when I've been.
Hopefully the weather forecast will be good and thus reduce the amount of stuff we'd need to carry

[timj]

Is Easingwold to far away to ride out from.

[DavidShort]

Me and Suzie are plotting up with the camper van at the Dales Bike Centre at Reeth for the week end with a view to watching up Robin Cross Hill, the climb out of Reeth over Grinton Moor. It would be a great place to have a club presence. We may even get in the film footage! Clifton CC goes global!

[timj]

There must be a few Clifton going on Sat as a club group,anyone.

[Dr Dave]

I'm still intending to ride to Grinton from somewhere in region of Thirsk. Could ride from Easingwold at a push. Ian H is hoping to get a little closer by car I think. John B and Graham are riding to Grinton from Kirkby Overblow.
I'm hoping a consensus will form around this basic idea.
Perhaps riding from Easingwold is Ok. I'm hoping to ride from Grinton to Leyburn or Middleham after the race passes in time to watch the stage finish on the big screen but perhaps there won't be time....

[RichardD]

Was planning to drive up to somewhere around Carthorpe or Well. Join the route at Masham and ride up to Grinton. The riders are due about 14.50. With the road closure and caravan probably need to be there at noon latest?
Tim, I can pick you up from easingwold on the way up?

[timj]

Sounds good to me Rich.cheers.

[Dr Dave]

In France, the roads will generally be closed even to cycling a good while before the Caravan passes through and this is generally 90+ minutes before the race is expected. I might be quite wrong but am thinking that Carthorpe at 11 might be OK but would be wary of being any later - assuming that the authorities don't plan restricting car access on roads to the west of the A1.

[IanH]

I've decided to drive to Catterick as it's just the other side of the A1 where I can ride the 16 miles to the climb at Grinton (if I can get on it) I'm not too fussy about having a longer ride as getting a decent place to watch it is more my priority.

Just haven't decided what time to set off yet.

Ian H.