Grand Depart Leeds 2014 TDF

geoffg

Hope you all had a great Christmas and have a happy new year.
I'm hoping to see some of you up here in Durham for the start of the Tour next year. Whilst we won't have finished the farm buildings by then we should have good facilities to house a few. We will have a 32ft mobile home free which can sleep 6 easily plus possibly a couple of spare rooms in the farmhouse. With 120 acres I can find camping space and there is hard standing for any number of camper vans. Our neighbour(0.5 mile distant) has a holiday let which sleeps 6 so let me know quickly and I'll try and book it for you.
Starts on Saturday 5th July so why not come earlier and I'll show you some of the best training routes for serious climbers. I'm planning to cycle up the Stang and down into Arkengarthdale to be in prime position at Reeth to see the tour through that village. It's about a 20 mile ride from our farm but quite hard. Nothing any of you can't handle easily.
Let me know who might be interested and I'll get some planning under way.

Nathaniel Rosa

Geoff that's fantastic, awesome news and very kind
This is honestly going to be the hilight of my year, I absolutely love cycling around there
How early are people thinking of heading up?

AdamR

Hi Geoff
Put me down for one if the beds please.
I'm sure I will be able to make it up for a few days
Cheers
Adam

geoffg

No problem Nat and Adam....more later on in the year.
Sorry to hear of your break Adam...Guess you'll be plated like mine was. I rode for 2 years with the bone broken in 4. If you have good mobility of the arm they don't tend to pin it. Mine eventually caused problems and I had to have an op. to put it back together.....Don't let the medics persuade you to wait and see...get it fixed now and good luck.

AdamR

Thanks Geoff...different Adam who had the break

geoffg

oops......there's the rub of being out of the club runs...glad you are o.k. Adam R........apologies to Adam H.........advice still holds though Adam broken bones......don't let themput you off...get it plated..it will probably save you having a bone graft off the hip like wot I ad.

Jon.c

hi geoff, i thought this collided witht the hatherly juniro national road race so i didn't comit, it turns out that its the week after, would it be ok if i came along?

geoffg

All the more the merrier Jon. I've talking to Daniel and it seems He Theo and poss. Bryn are coming. If Cam. and Dan P are too then I am planning a training route for you juniors for the following weeks race. Adam, Nat and Peter G and family here fro Sat.Sun. Daniel and I are working on a plan so should be a great time up here. You are all going to love the riding here.

geoffg

Nathaniel...see the post above....If you get up here for Wed/Thursday then I have a testing ride for you young fit riders... More as things develop

Nathaniel Rosa

Geoff thanks I'd love to be out there for as long as possible! Honestly, I'm looking forward to it so much. Sign me up for everything.

can I put in a request for Buttertubs? (only if possible, and definitely the direction in which we did it last year!!)

Jane

ahhh, I remember Buttertubs 2013. Amazing! And the descent was even better

Jon.c

thanks geoff, that would be hugly apresiated!

Shelton

Geoff,

Can you put up with me for a few days? if so I would like some sort of a accommodation, wild camping would do. I can only try to be on my best behaviour!. I plan to travel up on the Wednesday and head back on the Friday, so I can see the tour in Cambridge too.

Ta Shelton

geoffg

Very Welcome Shelton. Think Stewart Woolsey and family are coming here to camp. Tour starts here on Saturday 5th so you will miss it if you go back Friday. Cambridge leg is on Monday. We are planning some local rides prior to Saturday...should be fun.

geoffg

So we have Daniel and Theo, Stewart W and family camping, Shelton and Family? camping, Peter G and family, All the Junior Squad, Nathaniel, Adam R,... Sounds like we have quite a bunch. Should be fun. Any more coming to camp?
Yesterday was beautiful here. Warm, sunshine and little wind. Went for a ride to test the Cycle track no. 70 from my farm to Tan Hill. Easy first 3 miles 8-10% on new tarmac and then 4 miles of made-up track with large holes where water has driven the stone out. I completed my ride on ordinary road tyres (Vittoria open pave)and then rode to Tan Hill. Turned round and rode downhill to Arkengarthdale. A beautiful descent for 5 miles. You can top 50 here if trying. Steep descent sharp left to Eskeleth wood over the Arkle beck. The ascent to the Stang commences here, last years National Hill Climb Championship course. This is seriously challenging but beautiful. Over the Stang and down to the A66. Cross over into Boldron and then return through Bowes to my Farm. Map here. http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/356802769/
Great to have this training loop on my doorstep.
Today’s weather was snow turning to rain. Such a contrast.

wilburtrump

If there's room for me, I'd love to come and pitch up for a couple of days!

James D

Were those Pave's clinchers or tubs Geoff? would you dare run a pair of sew ups on those roads?

geoffg

All the more the merrier Will.
Hahaha James......Clinchers of course, but the Tufo tubs would be easy to fix as they only need internal sealant which seals punctures instantly allowing full pressure within 1 minute. You can get Tufo clincher tubs so the best of all worlds...clincher rims with the option of switching to tyres and tubes as and when. No need to change your wheels.

Martin L

Buttertubs on BBC today. I think I can see Geoff cutting sheep out of the snow in the background.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26242567

Nathaniel Rosa

it's not the same without 35 degree sun & heat!

Nathaniel Rosa

but oh my god. imagine if you lived at the bottom of that.

geoffg

hahahaha Martin......great ride by the lass. Average 10.5 mph for the climb. Not much snow yet thank the stars!!! But couldn't stand up in the wind 2 days ago. This is the one thing I seriously underestimated up here. There is hardly a day when the wind doesn't have a say in what you do. However, when you see the views I have from the house every day you would understand why I love it here.
The ride planning is coming on. Think I've got a few testers for you masochists.

Dan Pedder

Hi Geoff,

Sorry it's late, I'm not good on the forum!
I would love to come down if possible and camp with the other juniors
This should be fine with school and exams so if there's space I'll be there!!

Thanks, Dan P

Gilgamesh

Tempted.
I lived for 10+ years on the NYM., Nunnington and went to school at Pock'.

geoffg

welcome Dan....we can cope.

Tim....why not come. I see you are in dire need of miles...welcome back.

geoffg

So, Shelton, Gilgamesh and AdamR.....are you up for this.....looks like 19 including some partners and family will be here. All the more the merrier.

Shelton

Geoff,

Harley and myself will come up on the Wednesday if all ok with you, will email you later.

Shelton

geoffg

That's great Shelton. Means we can do a shorter ride to suit Harley on Thursday morning.

AdamR

Hi Geoff
Still got to confirm time off work, but I'd hope to come up on Wednesday.
Sounds cheeky but is there Wi-Fi I the wilds, may need to get online one evening for work?
Cheers
Adam

geoffg

good signal there Adam. Hope you can make it.

LukeDanckert

Geoff, I'm just trying to confirm the time off work, but if I'm off is there a spare pitch for my tent available please?

Neil Murphy and I are hoping to make it for the Fri-Sun