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Le Tour, Yorkshire. Stage 1
Right,
I know there has been a bit of talk on the Sunday rides in recent weeks about people going over to watch the tour. I know Neil (Mr Poll) has booked himself into the camp site festival near Buttertubs. I'm not sure what other riders have planned about getting over there to watch some of the race. I though i'd open the debate up with the skeleton of a plan I have been thinking about for a while.
For me, I was looking at going to watch some of Stage 1, preferably around Buttertubs, if I can manage to fit within the 20,000 spectator restriction by the time I arrive. Stage 2 also has some great climbs, but getting to Holme Moss looks logistically more difficult in terms of getting there and staying there.
So....
Given that the Tour Caravan arrives Buttertubs at 1236 hrs on the Saturday and the roads are effectively shut after that time, arrival has to be before then. The race - if moving at its fastest speed - is predicted to come through about 1422hrs.
I'd looked at driving over to Settle (Ormskirk to Settle in car 59 miles 1hr 21) Parking can be had for £2.50 all day at the Greenfoot car park. If we get there early enough- which would be sensible a quick coffee and pastry can be had at some of the decent coffee places they have there.
From Settle, cycling to Hawes and onwards to Buttertubs if possible. It's 22miles with 500m of climbing- so even at a steady pace 1hr 40mins-ish. The route also takes in the Settle to Carlisle Ribblehead Viaduct along the way - a great stop for club photo opportunities.
Plan would be to watch the race, then cycle back and enjoy some pub grub in Settle and then head home.
For good planning, contingency and coffee time, leaving Ormskirk at 7.30- 8 am by car would certainly be do-able.
For those considering cycling from Ormskirk to Hawes/Buttertubs it is possible - it's 79 miles with about 800m of climbing and would take about 5-6 hours, meaning a 0600hrs start to get there for the Tour Caravan.( theh the 6 hour cycle home, beginning at around 4pm. Epic day, but not for me.
Alternatives I have looked at include driving to the Tickled Trout (Junction 31 M6) and cycling from there, it's 51 miles through the Forest of Bowland (about 3.5-4hrs cycling) meaning you'd need to be at Junction 31 by 0730hrs.
Anyway, this is just some thoughts to open debate. i'm sure everyone will have their own plans/ideas... get discussing everyone!
Alternative Parking
Hi, I did a similar day last July and drove up to park in the small village of Hornby (not far from Caton / Wray - just off the M6). I rode through the lanes to Ingleton (I think) then did the ride right over from Ingleton to Ribblehead, Hawes, up and over Buttertubs then up to Nateby before turning home down the valley back to Hornby. It was a beautiful day, which always helps of course, but a great ride too. The ride from Ingleton to Hawes is rolling but truly beautiful and as hard as Buttertubs is, the atmosphere and crowds will help you up. Personally, I don't see much point in riding from Ormskirk as you want to get there as early as possible to enjoy the atmosphere. Settle is also a good option for the ride but may be busy for parking so Hornby is a good alternative as it's likely to be quieter.
I'd be well up for this as a group ride. Perhaps Neil can take some beer up for us and distribute on arrival, cheers Neil!
Funny youy saying that Dave,
Funny youy saying that Dave, as Ingleton was my first plan!
I am happy to try and grab a
I am happy to try and grab a decent spot for HMCC to join me, be great to have the club represented on TV. I am looking at Buttertubs or someone mentioned there is a small climb just after which might be quieter. Think Rick Taylor is coming to the music festival too so he can help guard any space we find. Anyone else who is up for a 3 day festival then have a look at KING OF THE MOUNTAINS FESTIVAL - right on the route, with some good music (just added Dry the River who I have seen twice and are good, if you like that sort of thing). About £45 quid for camping and the fesival, given some farmers are charging that for a night in a field it looks good value to me.
As for beer I will check, the festival limit the amount I can take in is pretty low - if I can leave a stash in car I am happy to take some "carb" drink in for you to refuel.
Definitive plan for 5th July
Ok so whilst most of the club were swanning around Wales or LCL, some of us had a simple club ride and a cafe stop. However, whilst at the cafe, Wilko and I concocted a plan for Saturday 5th July, Satge 1 TdF.
We both agreed that setting off from Caton, Lancashire on our bikes would be the best idea. There is a car-park 1/4 mile through the village according to Wilko.
which as you can see is Junction 34 of the M6.
This apparent ly takes an hour from Ormskirk by car, at least according to Google maps.
The roads around Buttertubs - the climb of Day 1 - close at 1235hrs when the Tour Caravan passes. That means the route roads are closed to everyone but the tour, we therefore need to be here in advance of that.
Wilko has derived an interesting route of just over 32miles whihc takes in some B roads from Caton, past the Ribblehead Viaduct and onwards to Hawes, where Buttertubs begins.
This is the route - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5141537
So, in an effort to make sure there is enough time to get parked-up, bikes ready and on the road to get to Hawes in time - via photos in Ribblehead- we need to leave Ormskirk by 8am.
I would suggest that you pack some cleat covers as there may be a bit of walking to get to a viewing point in Hawes/Buttertubs and enough money to cover food for lunch and a possible evening meal. If anyone is interested we could grab a bite to eat at a pub in the Caton area on return. A change to non-lycra clothing would be useful, but most of this can be left in the car. Coffe is the essential so I am planning at least one in Hawes or surrounds, but so I suppose are the other 25,000 people expected.
So there you have it.
Meet at the Shop around 7.30 - 7.45 am on Saturday 5th July, drive up to Caton and cycle across to Hawes via Ribblehead aim for a viweing spot on Buttertubs, watch the Tour pass, get coffee and food ; there is viewing site in Hawes National park with a large screen, so we could even watch the finish before we cycle back and possibly grab some food. Depends on the time we leave I guess.
The only downside to this I can see so far is the advanced weather forcast for Saturday 5th, which is 15 degrees with a high chance of rain with a 14mph westerly wind, which means a head wind on the ride back.
The plan is all go, as far as i'm concerned, unless it looks like an absolute deluge then i'll probably watch it on TV.
If you are interested, comment here or on the cross-post on Facebook. I have room for one bike and passenger in my car.
Sounds like a plan!
I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)
For the less adventurous..
...they are now selling day tickets for the Rapha Tempest at Broughton Hall. Hop, skip and a jump into Skipton with lots of activities, big screens etc on site.
Final details for ride to tour
Slight different plans for me
Slight different plans for me team....i'll be driving over to the B6255 and parking up along it...maybe near white scar....your route goes that way...i'll have a track pump and a few bits in the van just in case anyone needs...i'll head along the B6255 to wherever the meeting point is....my aim is get to a parking spot for around 7:30 andd then go from there....i'll have a camera and rucksack.
Dan
Could take the climbing gear
Maybe some cheese pressing
Maybe some cheese pressing under ground!!!
TdF
I recieved this email over the weekend -
Hi guys. Was at the TdF yesterday and have to say I was impressed by the
attitude and behaviour of your club guys. Often club members can become quite
competitive and a bit brash when out on roads like Buttertubs but your lads
were great. I also was impressed by your cool club kit and now wonder if you
can buy it without being a member? Do let me know. And well done to your club
on show yesterday.
That's really unexpected and
That's really unexpected and nice feedback Matt. We had a couple of riders tag on with us from Caton to Hawes. Natalie and Carl I think. They were very pleasant and fitted in perfectly. I wonder if it was them?
Glad to keep the flag flying!
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