The fourth stage of this year's Tour of Britain on 9th September will start in Holyrood Park and go up the Royal Mile and around some of Edinburgh's "most famous sites". The race will then go along the East Lothian coast road to Longniddry, up to Gifford and on over the Lammermuirs to Blyth.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Sport
Tour of Britain stage to start in Edinburgh
(121 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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The quandary will be deciding whether to watch in town - bound to be a great atmosphere - or in the hills - where it should be a real spectacle
Posted 9 years ago # -
The steep bit of Redstone Rigg would be a great spot. Will have to book the day off work :)
Posted 9 years ago # -
Like watching racing on the telebox, and really enjoyed an evening at the velodrome, but watching a stage race live.
Wait.....wait......wait......wait....wait....wait....wait....whoosh.......go home
Doesn't seem to be any point to it . In saying that, given it's going almost right past my work, meetings allowing I'll probably nip out and try and time the ...whoosh... bit right.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I think we can therefore guess the 'meh' vote then ;)
Probably / possibly be going up to Reddstone Rigg, but as I'll be with my non-cycling other half it'll be an early spin up for a decent spot with the car (and a picnic). Obviously less 'whoosh' at that point too.
Possibility I could get a press pass through some stuff I'm doing now for the start area, but would mean going on my own, and more of a 'job'. I'd quite like to enjoy the fact I can watch a bit of the ToB for the first time (stars never seemed to be aligned when it was in Peebles).
Posted 9 years ago # -
I like the Redstone Rig idea @earthowned @WC. If there's good weather. Should be a popular spot with long views of the approach. Plus it's a nice ride in itself. @WC I went to the start in Peebles and it's probably the best place to get photos of the bikes and the riders.
Tour of Britain 2009 025 by Tom Orr, on Flickr
Tour of Britain 2009 036 by Tom Orr, on FlickrPosted 9 years ago # -
Redstone Rig would be a fine spot (if it's not snowing), but there is also good value in being at the start. Decisions, decisions...
This seems an opportune moment to confirm the spelling of Redstone Rig. It's only one "g" on the OS map, isn't it? I assume that is the correct spelling. [I'm guessing @Cyclingmollie as CCE East Lothian specialist is best placed to answer this]
Posted 9 years ago # -
@PS It's one "g" on the Spokes East Lothian map and on the OS 1:25,000. I don't remember seeing it on a sign - it must be sign-posted somewhere.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I'll probably be relatively lazy and watch in the park (next to Duddingston Low Road).
Here's a question: Duddingston Low Road is poorly surfaced, especially at the really steep part.
Will they be resurfacing it? If not, surely there's a big risk to the riders at the sharp left at the bottom of that section?
Posted 9 years ago # -
"If not, surely there's a big risk to the riders at the sharp left at the bottom of that section?"
Isn't crashing part of the excitement?
Posted 9 years ago # -
The more I think about it, the more I think the map is incorrect.
I just don't see the whole peleton going along the Low Road, followed by Duddingston Village.
Posted 9 years ago # -
The text explanation of the route I read seemed pretty clear they'd be going on the south soon the seat and through Duddingston village. I guess on the north side there would be a couple of narrow roundabouts to negotiate (plus, y'know, arterial road route).
A lot depends on if they have a 'Départ Fictif' like in the Tour, or if it's straight into racing. Might be that the run round and down to Milton Road will just be a procession before the real racing starts. But Duddingston Village does seem so unlikely (mind you, some of the wee villages the Tour goes through cant have roads any wider, and indeed narrower in some places?).
Posted 9 years ago # -
According to the map of the stage on the Tour website, 'Kilometer 0' i.e. the start of actual racing is on Milton Road East. Prior to that it'll be a neutralised rolling start.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I was thinking just as much about the horrendous state of the road + speed bumps + cobbles in Duddingston village.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@twq: I'm sure someone would lend a trailer...
Posted 9 years ago # -
According to the TOB site, racing proper will begin on Milton Rd at the Edinburgh College.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Redstane Rigg is a good choice as it's one of the places they'll be going slowest.
You'll also get a good example of just how fit these guys are as they whoosh past on the uphill...
Posted 9 years ago # -
9 World Tour teams + MTN-Qhubeka. Sounds good.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I think redstone rig is going to be the place to be. The OH is likely to be at work I think although this would be a great opportunity to get her out for a longer ride. Anyone up for an organised ride out - I'd be keen for a reasonably paced ride out, imagine I'll have the decent sized saddle bag on to contain warm clothes etc.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@ARobComp I'm up for that. Will be coming with fully loaded panniers - but mostly for food...
Posted 9 years ago # -
I was thinking of volunteering, either at the start or down the road at Gifford - however, I appear to be the only person to have applied...
Posted 9 years ago # -
Me too, @arobcomp (subject to t & c)
Posted 9 years ago # -
Cool so we've got a 3 person peloton to start. Perhaps we could convince WC to be the CityCyclingEdin team car and transport our victuals up the road for us if we were to drop them off with him early enough ;)
Posted 9 years ago # -
@arobcomp Yup, I'll be there too. Not sure whether to take a good camera along and try and get some shots or just enjoy the spectacle as it rolls by. Probably the latter.
Posted 9 years ago # -
How fast (or slow) will the neutralised start be?
I'm wondering if there will be time to watch at the High Street, then ride down G-IV Bridge to watch again at the Meadows (with a toddler on the bike).
Posted 9 years ago # -
"According to the TOB site, racing proper will begin on Milton Rd at the Edinburgh College."
That's really disappointing.
If they're only going to be racing for a few hundred metres in Edinburgh, I think I'll go to the start and look at the bikes etc.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Posted 9 years ago #
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Wiggo!
@OfficialWIGGINS
#TourofBritain team. Sir Bradley Wiggins @tennanto @MikeT_893 @owaindoull @JonDibben1 and @ChrisLawless95 #WIGGINSPosted 9 years ago # -
Given that the ToB must shirley be a rolling road closure, how early must one get to Redstone Rig? Had some thoughts about heading that way in the torpedo.
Posted 9 years ago #
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