If You Are Going To The Tour of Britain ...

[Valbrona]

DON'T BE A PLONKER.

No1/ The race is suffering on account of a small number of cretins who turn up with the aim of getting on TV rather than actually watching the race. You know, the ones that wear outrageously stupid 'costumes' or the ones that like to show their buttocks.

No2/ Keep the Union Flag at home. Professional cycling is based around trade teams, made up of multi-national riders, and not National teams. National flags are for the Worlds or Olympics.

[easyroller]

So I shouldn't wear my Union Jack print mankini then...?

[Mark1978]

I'm going to be staying near the Lake District when they go through. But not sure about seeing the race. Sounds like more hassle than it's worth especially with wife and 2 year old.

[cycleruk]

Just to put a damper on the occasion - have you seen the weather forecast for Monday in the Lakes.
If it is correct then they won't need to pedal up Honister.
Was it last year that a stage was cancelled because of the debris on the roads brought about by the gale-force winds?

[MisterTea]

Spoilsport

I'll be the one running along naked with Union Jack wrapped around my enormous manhood.

[mr riff raff]

Getting the train to Newcastle tomorrow AM.

I'll be lurking around Newcastleton for the sprint or maybe the food stop afterwards to get a free lunch on Sunday.

Monday I'm thinking Kendal area, but not the finish zone.

And I have seen the weather. Looking forward to riding towards Carlisle for the Sunday night stop.....Not.

How much waterproof clothing can I carry? Shall I take a brolly? No flags though, although I do have the Prologo saddle flag thing. Is that allowed Valbrona?

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
I can see the friday 20th finish from my lounge window, well will need good binoculars
I am planning to be on the slopes of haytor above the road for a good view of the KOM finish, only a quick one hour cycle........uphill from home:)
Last year on Dartmeet hill ( heaving)we were expecting Cav and Wiggo but they retired
Theres always some exposure on any of these events.
I feel that on the TDF theres alot of spectators looking at the camera just as the cyclist are coming past
More vanity than cyclist followers.

[Mick F]

Do we have a link to the route?

[cycleruk]

Route:- http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/i ... jNsruVnHpw
You can download routes and profiles of each stage such as Devon:-
http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/s ... _route.php

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/24076709
http://thetour.co.uk/tourofbritain/274.php
http://thetour.co.uk/tourofbritain/280.php

[RickH]

The full race manual can be downloaded from here (direct link to PDF).

Rick.

[easyroller]

The full race manual can be downloaded from here (direct link to PDF).

Rick.

BRILLIANT!

Thanks for that link. That file's got a map plus street by street with approximate times and everything!

I'll probably pop along somewhere on Stage 7 for a gander...

[Valbrona]

But September is a bit too late for a bike race in Northern Europe.

[KeithM]

No3/ Take some good waterproofs.

BTW Rule 2 is nonsense, the riders often comment on Twitter about the encouragement they get from seeing their own flags at the roadside.

No4/ It is mandatory that the Lion of Flanders be flown at every pro cycle race.

[mr riff raff]

But September is a bit too late for a bike race in Northern Europe.

I'll second that. It clashes with other races anyway so what does it matter. Just think how nice it was in August.