So, if we were to try and see some of stage 1, What's our best option?
Train to Glasgow ? Where to watch from? (Where's the team presentation?)
Rent a car and stake out a hill on the run in to Castle Douglas? Suggestions very welcome.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Sport
Tour of Britain
(15 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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We were supposed to be going but big party night before. This route is one Balerno dad's cycling club have been out on. We stayed at St. John's town of Dalry. Some good open country to watch it from near there. I have put out local feelers.
So if you fancied making a day of it and exploring Dumfries and Galloway and then cycling the route after they go by the best spot down that way is high bridge of Ken on the high road out of carsphairn
However with young family probably better to see a few laps in Glasgow.
Red stone rig was good last year but we cycled there and back. The actual peloton comes past in seconds. Same at Olympics in London.
I was at tatton park on Sunday where stage three ends next week and there you get good views of several big laps of the estate.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@SRD
I was due to marshal that, but Mrs Paddy has to work, so I am on child duty.
Trouble is public transport on Sunday mornings is dire- a pal is marshaling and has decided he has to drive from near Polmont to Glasgow to be there for the 8.30 sign-on for marshals - no public transport will work an there is nowhere to leave his (expensive) bike if he decided to cycle.
May be better for the actual roll-out, but bear in mind that a train cancellation on a Sunday morning could scupper your plans completely...
Hiring a car has benefits that you can intercept the race at various points.
My first experience of Pro Racing was on holiday in Switzerland- I had a rail pass which gave me 3 days travel in a fortnight. I used one to follow the 1993 Championship of Zurich Classic. Sign on in Basel (Kelly etc,)intercepted race half way- I saw Laurent Fignon come through having been dropped by the peleton. He climbed into the broom wagon less than 10 miles later and I believe ended his professional career there. Then a dash to Zurich to see the finish in the velodrome. Finally on to my final destination of St Moritz, when I managed to get the tent up just before the most spectacular thunderstorm I have ever witnessed kicked in. Quite a day...
Really recommended, but understand it is a different matter with young kids- pack lots of bribes and get there in time for the caravan to throw them some plastic tat...
Posted 8 years ago # -
@srd You do know that the Glasgow street circuit will be available to ride in the afternoon as a Skyride.
https://www.goskyride.com/GlasgowSkyRide?DCMP=knc-GOOGLE-nc-BrandLocation-skyride+glasgow+2016
We'really planning of taking a picnic, watching the pros and then doing a lap or two.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Sadly I will be in the Netherlands or I'd be inviting you all down (a friend of mine has a flat overlooking the finish at Castle Douglas)
As others have said, trains to Dumfries are rubbish on a Sunday (no train moves until After Kirk), so your best bet would be to come down the night before and make a weekend of it. Dumfries to Castle Douglas is a very doable cycle ride - either take NCN 7 along the Old Military Road via Haugh of Urr, or stay north of the A75 via Terregles, Shawhead, Kirkpatrick Durham, and Old Bridge of Urr (from where you could then pick a spot along the last section of the route). Dumfries is hosting Nithraid on the Saturday which is a cross between a boat race and an arts happening which can be fun if the weather is kind.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@hankchief I obviously was not looking in the right place. Is there a link to the timing etc of the start? Couldn't see it when I looked at stage 1 details. Thanks for go-ride info. Will check it out.
@sallyhinch thanks for the local info - very handy!
Posted 8 years ago # -
As paddyirish says, with a car you have the chance to see the race more than once. We drove through to see the race at Wanlockhead and then on to the stage finish at Drumlanrig and that was the best day out at the ToB I've had (not counting Redstone Rig but that was within cycling distance).
Posted 8 years ago # -
@SRD - just sorry I can't guide you in person.
A car is helpful, but beware road closures - we did luck out once, having driven to see the climb up to Wanlockhead, we were then driving home when we got stopped for the road closure as the bikes came down the Dalveen pass, so we got out and saw it all again. I was just amazed how many people just sat their in their cars, presumably steaming at the delay, and missed the show.
I'm told Castle Douglas will be in lockdown, to the distress of some residents, especially those who live on King Street itself (not helped by the fact that they will have to pay to take the shuttle bus out to the out-of-town parking they are being offered as an alternative, which does seem a bit shabby).
Posted 8 years ago # -
Wasn't too fussed about this then realised the Scottish air show in Ayr is on the Saturday.
Might make a nice weekend away, now to find a campsite between Ayr, and Castle Douglas...
Posted 8 years ago # -
superb finish at la vuelta stage 11 today.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Great hill top finish and surprisingly good banter from Froome. Reporter says Nairo wants your power meter banned. Froome says, just mine? Then, OK and we should all ride single speed bikes
Posted 8 years ago # -
@srd 11.30 roll out with racing starting after 1 lap.
http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage1/index.php#.V8c0hcvTXqA
Skyride starts at 1.30pm
Posted 8 years ago # -
So, we've signed up for the sky ride. Are helmets compulsory?
Nothing about it when we registered.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@srd - nope. only a recommendation for them.
Posted 8 years ago #
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