Tour de France Leeds

uncle mick · Post by **uncle mick** » Thu 17 Jan, 2013 12:53 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/21056721Stage One which starts on the Headrow in Leeds has been described has the romance and wonder of seven castles and seven abbeys as the riders sweep through some of Yorkshire's most picturesque landscapes. The Grand Depart starts in Leeds Moving on to the village of Otley Before arriving in Skipton - the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales From there it's through the rolling valleys of Wharfdale Before taking in the dramatic Aysgarth Falls The riders then take on the steep and exhausting Buttertubs Pass Then it's through to Swaledale The competitors then head to Bolton Castle And then onto Richmond Castle They then head through the racing town Middleham Cyclists travel through Ripon and end up at Harrogate Stray Copied from http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2013-0 ... announced/

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 17 Jan, 2013 1:02 pm

uncle mick wrote: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/21056721 Thanks for that link uncle mick. On reading the routes it tired me out just thinking of the ups and downs in stages 1 and 2 in the Dales and Pennines sections. I need a rest to get my breath back!

Post by **chameleon** » Thu 17 Jan, 2013 1:48 pm

Leodian wrote: uncle mick wrote: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/21056721 Thanks for that link uncle mick. On reading the routes it tired me out just thinking of the ups and downs in stages 1 and 2 in the Dales and Pennines sections. I need a rest to get my breath back! three peaks, in winter, on a bike

leedslily · Post by **leedslily** » Thu 17 Jan, 2013 2:02 pm

Being a lazy toad myself, I've huge admiration for people with athletic skills. Someone in our office is doing the 'Spine race' at the moment - running the entire Pennine way in seven days (info here: http://www.thespinerace.com/). He's fundraising for multiple sclerosis charities, so all in a great cause, but it makes me feel poorly just thinking about it - apparently last night near Alston they were wearing 9 layers of clothing in temperatures of -12!

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 17 Jan, 2013 2:03 pm

chameleon wrote: Leodian wrote: uncle mick wrote: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/21056721 Thanks for that link uncle mick. On reading the routes it tired me out just thinking of the ups and downs in stages 1 and 2 in the Dales and Pennines sections. I need a rest to get my breath back! three peaks, in winter, on a bike Hi chameleon. Walking one peak in good weather is enough for me! Ingleborough or Penyghent from Horton in Ribblesdale train station is at my limit now. Seeing the Three Peakers running event just amazes me at their stamina. I'm getting (OK, got!) ever more passed it. Edit moments after posting. leedslily's post came in while I was still writing mine. Being out at -12 degrees. That's cold, very cold. Brrrrr, it makes me shiver just thinking about it. I'm a softie!

book · Post by **book** » Thu 17 Jan, 2013 8:12 pm

What a fantastic route, think I'll try watch it at Otley and Blubberhouses. This is a massive event for the Dales, well done to all who planned it, and made the bid to hoste it. Fantastic.

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Thu 17 Jan, 2013 8:37 pm

book wrote: What a fantastic route, think I'll try watch it at Otley and Blubberhouses. This is a massive event for the Dales, well done to all who planned it, and made the bid to hoste it. Fantastic. hear hear!Really looking forward to this- a brilliant coup by 'welcome to Yorkshire'It 'll be relatively easy for anyone in Leeds to get to see some of both days (Sat and Sun)

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 17 Jan, 2013 9:43 pm

If I'm correctly understanding the route maps I've seen the tour will pass Blubberhouses on Day 2. Knowing how the Kex Gill area near Blubberhouses is vulnerable to landslips I hope there are none just before or during the event. The A59 at Kex Gill is steep, winding, narrow and with a steep drop at one side so the increased necessity of safety of viewers there will need to be taken into account.

book · Post by **book** » Thu 17 Jan, 2013 10:07 pm

Can anyone tell me what distance each stage is?

uncle mick · Post by **uncle mick** » Fri 18 Jan, 2013 3:13 am

book wrote: Can anyone tell me what distance each stage is? Stage 1: 128 miles. Stage 2: 103 miles.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/others ... AP.htmlThe first stage will be 118miles (190km) long with the second stage both longer, at 124 miles (200km), and more challenging in terms of hills.http://sportinglife.aol.co.uk/other-spo ... vealedTake your pick Edit: Perhaps our cycling correspondent Jogon would like to cycle the routes & confirm which is correct