Following the Tour de France

Sorry I misled you here - there's nowhere in Yorkshire you can just stop and watch (because of all the dry stone walls apparently). This is what they say on the official site.

 

Thanks a lot for the offer to park behind your house. I would like to take you up on that so I will check how this stacks against our channel crossing time on day 3 and get back to you. Thanks again.

 

I've just booked three night's camping at Broughton Hall, nr. Skipton....Rapha have organised a three day event with big screens, entertainment, stalls etc.....should be a great atmosphere.....Tickets are still available as far as I know

 

http://www.sportive.com/rapha-tempe...the-2014-grand-dpart-live-from-broughton-hall

 

if they keep to whatever the French do, the Tour company 'own' the road and curtilage for the duration of the stage.....

 

How much is that a night, it only goes through Skipton on the first day, what yer gonna do on the second, they're expecting three million people on route up in the dales, it's gonna be brilliant but mayhem trying to get about. The roads are gonna be on lock down and those that arn't will be jammed, people will need to be in situ on the Friday morning then not move till the Sunday night or Monday mornng. I really don't think that a lot of those that are going or those that live nearby realise whats coming, This is the biggest annual sporting event in the world, it's proper massive, people come from all over the planet to see it, i've heard a few moans from locals up there saying it's disrupting normal life, well it's gonna do that alright but in the long run the massive world wide exposure will be brilliant for the dales

 

Indeed, Le Tour police "own" it. The local council (Epping Forest District Council) negotiated an extra hour of keeping the roads open with them. Round here it's a 9.30 to 4.30 closure. The website tells us nothing's allowed to be parked on the road, but driveways and gardens on the route can be used. Anyway, while out running I've found a campervan-sized piece of pavement with its own crash barrier which I will be claiming that morning.

 

No worries. Just so you know, we are ten mins walk from Epping town centre, but would make sense for you to follow me up to my anticipated parking spot and camp out for the day in the morning. That's only a five minute drive away (if that). PM me when you know more about what you're doing.

 

Fit your bus with run flat tyres.

(all those hypodermics on the road)

 

Seeing as mere mortals can't even afford a Rapha sock (yes, single sock), I assume you've sold some vital organs to go to a Rapha event?

Unless of course you are filthy rich! In which case, can I be your dog?

 

j`suis trez envous of your journey ...

3,656 kilometres , just for the bikes without the jumps the bordeux to paris must be 600 km in a day ,you will be more knackered than the cyclists...

Instead of doing the last leg drop by and watch it on tele at least you will be in France....

 

I'm going to go to a lovely little village near saffron walden called finchingfield.....just about the prettiest village round here. They come through the village , and climb a decent hill out.....I'm hoping to go up the night before and pitch up!

 

Hey @Sick Boy - any news? I told my missus I had offered parking space behind the house out and she's quite excited about meeting some new folk for the Tour. I've run past my intended viewing spot a couple of times this week and there's just enough room for two vans nose-to-tail.

 

Hi @Sir Arthur That is really nice of you - the logistics of this project are getting a bit complicated. We have to be at Folkestone for the euro tunnel at 2pm in order to be in place at Le Touquet the following day so not sure how I'm going to do it yet. Do you know roughly what time the race comes past your viewing spot? Your offer sound fantastic and I really want to do it if possible.

 

I had a drive along a few miles of the route yesterday. there is plenty of wide grass verges with farmers field behind on the bit through South Yorkshire.
I'm sure the farmers would be up for a bit of back pocket cash to pitch up the night before.

Its like this pretty much all the way. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.5...ata=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sRCSXT94cypaCSnBqOFokQQ!2e0
And a nice pub for the light refreshments

 

Hmm, that's not going to work. I think we're looking at around 2pm by the time they get to Epping.

 

think it was £68 all in....so £22 a night....but you're also paying for a bar, bands, cinema, entertainment, big screens, toilets etc. so money well spent...
As far as getting around....

 

Roads closed for 8 hours here... and we get it 2 days on the trot. One day off, then 3 days of the Yorkshire Show. I''l mooch into town and watch the finish, gonna be absolute mayhem in the Dales.

 

Far from it....I'm a pauper...it's only £68 for a three nights camping, with entertainment, big screen, cinema, special guests, competitions etc.....hog heaven!...bargainous
I only ever use Endura stuff, 'cos we get it free with work....Wouldn't buy Rapha stuff on principle, the principle being it's ridiculously expensive, although it is lovely gear when all's said and done....