Le Tour Yorkshire

I spent a very enjoyable weekend in Harrogate watching the Tour of France as Stage 1 and Stage 2 sped through Yorkshire.  On Friday night I managed to get the last train to Leeds and then it was a short hop to Harrogate, arriving just after midnight. I must admit I had a few tears in the train - it seemed so sad to be doing this on my own, but these passed. Another first over.

On Saturday we walked into Harrogate and spent the morning in Le Tour Fun Park. As the crowds grew we walked to a suitable vantage point 400 metres from the finish. After a three hour wait the tour arrived. We could see the pack in the distance heading down hill towards us at break neck speed, without time to catch our breath, they flew past us in a blur. The atmosphere was fantastic as the noise built to a crescendo with cheering and people banging on the road side boards in a rhythmic fashion.

Harrogate was wall to wall with people and cycles - on Saturday it wasn't so much about seeing the race but about soaking up the electric air of anticipation - everyone was so joyous and friendly.

On Sunday we walked two or three miles to a road side vantage point where we could look down the road and get close to the riders as they passed.  On a lovely summers day in the heart of beautiful Yorkshire we were lucky enough to get really close to the race. The breakaway group sped by followed a minute later by the Pelaton which was still in team groups - lines of the same coloured jerseys looked like snakes as they raced by.  While taking a photo a Russian team rider tossed his water bottle towards Lois who was able to pick it up.

A really lovely and enjoyable weekend - thank you Jonathan and Melissa for inviting me and Lois for letting me stay in your home.