Martin Certainly interested in this trip! The logistics would need nailing down if a sizeable group of us are attempting to put bikes on trains (e.g. MK - Manchester on Virgin trains - limit is 4 bikes per train)...
Hiya Shaun It would be magnificent to have your Jedi level audax wisdom in the gruppetto. I hope you can make it.
Yup: logistics on travel. That'll sort itself out once we know numbers. Daniel has a potential car/trailer based plan to make things easier - and we could go the full hired minibus or transit option using me dad if need be. He's the Tour's support 'team'.
It could be a combo of a few different ways to suit all. Note: trains MK-MCR every 20 mins. £25.
Need to make a thorough recci of the diary but I am IN.
Have my old uni cycle club mates in knaresborough so know the area and can think of nothing better than riding the dales with the cca.
I can see some takers there if you want topping up of numbers or a larger group on the Sunday.
Ha, I once saw 2 fellas in matching kit hurtling down barkway hill on unicycles, thought I was seeing things, apparently they were doing some across country ride!
I had better dispel the myth about the Uni-cycle. XNUCC is the EX-University Cycling Club. No mucking about with one wheel. We rode hard core across Northumberland on a diet of burgers and tinned sardines.
I have now added the 5th July into the diary. So it is now Gospel.
Will. We could do a Duet on the trumpets to Robbie stripping on a uni-cycle if you like.
Vincent's daughter did her own '10' composition and I'm sharing it because daddy is struggling with technology a bit to get it on t'forum...
[top tip - Imgur is an excellent super quick free image upload site that generates the all important 'Direct Link' code in a couple of seconds].
Anyways. Anyone out there want to make us an Ocean's Eleven? We currently have a spare bed in a twin room. And there's still a couple of rooms available in the same place I think. Let us know: as I want to sort out logistics very soon.
Whether it's train, car, minibus [we've yet to finalise best travel logistics - but gonna do very soon] I'd set aside £50 for travel. B&B totals approx £90 [i.e. £45 per night].
Then it's just food and drink. Maybe £30 a day.
Stunning views and daft sheep on steep downhill roads: no charge.
If you're up for it Nathaniel - I can send you the details for the deposit on the accommodation.
Oh yeh: factor in a new compact chainset and dinnerplate cassette on the back for t'hills ;-)
Righto. Following the preview of the Prologue, I'm summarising Stage 1 of the CCA Tour de Yorkshire here. If anyone else wants to jump on to this trip, it's really best letting us know now.
In short, like the actual stage, we'll be going north then clockwise through the Dales National Park, swinging out of it into rural Yorkshire and then back round through to Kettlewell. In all, we'll be following 72 of the 126 miles of the actual TdF Stage 1 next year - all the good miles, non of the rubbish ;-). Our stage is approx 103 miles, with more climbing than the actual Stage 1: about 7,500ft climbing. It is pretty close in effort to the Etape du Dales.
Our mile-zero in Kettlewell is the actual Stage's mile 46. We won't have the gentle start they have - we'll be swiftly climbing out of Wharfdale and into Swaledale via the Buttertub's Pass climb in the first 25 miles.
We'll be tackling Buttertubs from the other side of the Top 100 Hill Climb choice - but as the book says, it's "brilliant to climb from either direction". This is the same way as the Etape du Dales route and I recall the tremendous drop the other side, very Alpsesque. Buttertubs is the toughest climb on the actual stage next year - so sure to be a highlight.
Then we go east through verdant Swaledale up to our cake stop - the Dales Bike Centre. I had no idea this new-ish place existed until a couple of weeks ago when it featured in Cycling Weekly's Top 10 cycling cafes - so definitely one to check out. Looks good for cake - and accommodation. Maybe a future base for another trip?
We will continue clockwise and now head south, going around Wensleydale. Soon, at Leyburn, there is a final chance to cut short back to Kettlewell. Maybe if the weather's atrocious, or if anyone fancies a shorter ride, cutting along Coverdale is a glorious single road along all the way back to Kettlewell [and down Park Rash] for a 100km/60+ mile loop.
All being well, we'll thrash along the quiet, flattish A road where likely Cav will catch up with the lead group next year as they steam to Harrogate. We, however, will turn west at Masham to begin the big climb over Nidderdale. We will be descending another Top 100 climb - Trapping Hill - though this is from the sequel book - so kinda doesn't count.
Still, we'll be treated to some tremendous views of the valley ahead like this as we re-enter the National Park.
At around the 70 mile mark is a good stop off option. Out of nowhere, in teeny Ramsgill is a great Michelin starred pub, the Yorke Arms - as, again, frequented on The Trip. It might be a bit too posh for lycra though, so it could be dry roasted peanuts and a coke and off we go again.
Eventually, when leaving Pateley Bridge, we assault the final big climb of the day, Top 100 Climb, Greenhow Hill. This is not unlike four or more Sundon Hills linked together, with hilly bits in between.
Soon back in to the NP and familiar Wharfdale, we will turn around at the edge of Skipton - the start of next year's stage - and head north towards Kettlewell for a flattish 10 miles through the valley to take the lactic out, imagining the crowds that will line the road at the start of it all next year.
Hopefully, we'll be back in good time for the highlights of, ironically, the first Mountain stage of this year's TdF, Castres-Aix 3 Domaines, ale in hand, compression socks on, Ned n' Chris on the gogglebox. I intend to dip my feet in the local stream btw.
Here is the proposed Tour t-shirt design. Sure to be the thing to wear this summer! If you would like one, please put your name on the doodle within the next week or so. They'll be approx £15-20 I reckon. I will confirm once I have numbers.
And here are what I think are the finalized routes
We've pushed things a bit on the prologue and on Stage 2, to make it over the tonne. It seemed rude not to. Stage 2 takes on as much of the actual Tour route as poss - though it's hard when we want to stay off the big busy roads. The total climbing for these three days is quite terrifying. Ah well. Gotta be done.
Anyone still wanting to do some or all of this Tour - you'll be most welcome.
Comments
Certainly interested in this trip! The logistics would need nailing down if a sizeable group of us are attempting to put bikes on trains (e.g. MK - Manchester on Virgin trains - limit is 4 bikes per train)...
It would be magnificent to have your Jedi level audax wisdom in the gruppetto. I hope you can make it.
Yup: logistics on travel. That'll sort itself out once we know numbers. Daniel has a potential car/trailer based plan to make things easier - and we could go the full hired minibus or transit option using me dad if need be. He's the Tour's support 'team'.
It could be a combo of a few different ways to suit all. Note: trains MK-MCR every 20 mins. £25.
There's a few rooms left. If anyone else wants in on this Tour and wants to stay in the same place - let me know sooner than later.
Happy days!
Top job, thank you. How much do we each owe you?
Daniel
Have my old uni cycle club mates in knaresborough so know the area and can think of nothing better than riding the dales with the cca.
I can see some takers there if you want topping up of numbers or a larger group on the Sunday.
I have now added the 5th July into the diary. So it is now Gospel.
Will. We could do a Duet on the trumpets to Robbie stripping on a uni-cycle if you like.
[top tip - Imgur is an excellent super quick free image upload site that generates the all important 'Direct Link' code in a couple of seconds].
Anyways. Anyone out there want to make us an Ocean's Eleven? We currently have a spare bed in a twin room. And there's still a couple of rooms available in the same place I think. Let us know: as I want to sort out logistics very soon.
B&B totals approx £90 [i.e. £45 per night].
Then it's just food and drink. Maybe £30 a day.
Stunning views and daft sheep on steep downhill roads: no charge.
If you're up for it Nathaniel - I can send you the details for the deposit on the accommodation.
Oh yeh: factor in a new compact chainset and dinnerplate cassette on the back for t'hills ;-)
ocean's 11.
fl-at-nnol.co.uk if you needed my address
Hah, I've actually got a triple chainset; I don't plan on ever breaking my vow to initiate granny gear though!!
Nathaniel - I've whispered you deposit deets. Cheers!
In short, like the actual stage, we'll be going north then clockwise through the Dales National Park, swinging out of it into rural Yorkshire and then back round through to Kettlewell. In all, we'll be following 72 of the 126 miles of the actual TdF Stage 1 next year - all the good miles, non of the rubbish ;-). Our stage is approx 103 miles, with more climbing than the actual Stage 1: about 7,500ft climbing. It is pretty close in effort to the Etape du Dales.
Our mile-zero in Kettlewell is the actual Stage's mile 46. We won't have the gentle start they have - we'll be swiftly climbing out of Wharfdale and into Swaledale via the Buttertub's Pass climb in the first 25 miles.
We'll be tackling Buttertubs from the other side of the Top 100 Hill Climb choice - but as the book says, it's "brilliant to climb from either direction". This is the same way as the Etape du Dales route and I recall the tremendous drop the other side, very Alpsesque. Buttertubs is the toughest climb on the actual stage next year - so sure to be a highlight.
Then we go east through verdant Swaledale up to our cake stop - the Dales Bike Centre. I had no idea this new-ish place existed until a couple of weeks ago when it featured in Cycling Weekly's Top 10 cycling cafes - so definitely one to check out. Looks good for cake - and accommodation. Maybe a future base for another trip?
We will continue clockwise and now head south, going around Wensleydale. Soon, at Leyburn, there is a final chance to cut short back to Kettlewell. Maybe if the weather's atrocious, or if anyone fancies a shorter ride, cutting along Coverdale is a glorious single road along all the way back to Kettlewell [and down Park Rash] for a 100km/60+ mile loop.
All being well, we'll thrash along the quiet, flattish A road where likely Cav will catch up with the lead group next year as they steam to Harrogate. We, however, will turn west at Masham to begin the big climb over Nidderdale. We will be descending another Top 100 climb - Trapping Hill - though this is from the sequel book - so kinda doesn't count.
Still, we'll be treated to some tremendous views of the valley ahead like this as we re-enter the National Park.
At around the 70 mile mark is a good stop off option. Out of nowhere, in teeny Ramsgill is a great Michelin starred pub, the Yorke Arms - as, again, frequented on The Trip. It might be a bit too posh for lycra though, so it could be dry roasted peanuts and a coke and off we go again.
Eventually, when leaving Pateley Bridge, we assault the final big climb of the day, Top 100 Climb, Greenhow Hill. This is not unlike four or more Sundon Hills linked together, with hilly bits in between.
Soon back in to the NP and familiar Wharfdale, we will turn around at the edge of Skipton - the start of next year's stage - and head north towards Kettlewell for a flattish 10 miles through the valley to take the lactic out, imagining the crowds that will line the road at the start of it all next year.
Route link here.
Hopefully, we'll be back in good time for the highlights of, ironically, the first Mountain stage of this year's TdF, Castres-Aix 3 Domaines, ale in hand, compression socks on, Ned n' Chris on the gogglebox. I intend to dip my feet in the local stream btw.
Just the uphill tax to pay on most of them to worry about.
Some of you might have seen the recent review of Stage 1 climbs in the Comic. Hopefully a little less snow for us in July. But don't count on it;
And here are what I think are the finalized routes
Prologue, Fri 5th July
http://tiny.cc/cca-tdy-prologue
Stage 1, Sat 6th July
http://tiny.cc/cca-tdy-stage1
Stage 2, Sun 7th July
http://tiny.cc/cca-tdy-stage2
We've pushed things a bit on the prologue and on Stage 2, to make it over the tonne. It seemed rude not to. Stage 2 takes on as much of the actual Tour route as poss - though it's hard when we want to stay off the big busy roads. The total climbing for these three days is quite terrifying. Ah well. Gotta be done.
Anyone still wanting to do some or all of this Tour - you'll be most welcome.