Tour de France, Ypres, 2014

[Beselare]

It has recently been announced that Stage 4 of the 2014 Tour de France will start from Ypres on 9th July,probably at the French Cemetery at Potijze. One popular b&b at Zonnebeke was immediately swamped with calls for reservations on 8th/9th the moment the news was released. So if you are planning an Ypres-based Salient trip in July next year, unless you are a cycling fan, it might be wise to avoid 8th and 9th.

Bob

[Sapper D.]

It also means that all traffic (cars, campers, pedestrians & cyclists) will have their freedom of movement severely hampered by the demands by the Tour Organisation.

Not only shall the raods be closed off where the caravan passes, but the diversionary roads will grid-lock to an alarming degree.

And, a true Tour follower enjoys the view from in front of a TV much more than the 3 seconds (flat etappe) it takes for the lot to pass a spectator by the side of the road around Ieper.

[Fattyowls]

It also means that all traffic (cars, campers, pedestrians & cyclists) will have their freedom of movement severely hampered by the demands by the Tour Organisation.

Not only shall the raods be closed off where the caravan passes, but the diversionary roads will grid-lock to an alarming degree.

And, a true Tour follower enjoys the view from in front of a TV much more than the 3 seconds (flat etappe) it takes for the lot to pass a spectator by the side of the road around Ieper.

Good points Sapper; the TV coverage is usually good and I'm really looking forward to the helicopter camera provided the programme starts with the start. Last year the race crossed the Aubers Ridge but the coverage in the UK didn't start until way after they had passed it. I remember a few years back the Tour ending in Verdun but the coverage went to a commercial break as they crossed the main part of the battlefield. As for being around Ieper at the time Bob's advice is very wise; I can remember being on the Somme on a Sunday afternoon years ago when a local bike race was on and it was gridlock.

Pete.

P.S. A bit off topic but I've been meaning to ask; is your avatar a young Johan Neeskens?

[Sapper D.]

Well done that man!

The best number 7 AJAX ever had. And, the owner of a very impressive pair of sideburns, the type Sir B W could only dream of!

[old-ted]

I have a tour arriving in Ypres on July 8th & touring the Salient on 9th. I have advised the tour operator that the TdeF in in town.

John

[Nigel Marshall]

Will it cause any more disruption than the domestic cycle races or the rally that are held every year?

[Ken Lees]

Will it cause any more disruption than the domestic cycle races or the rally that are held every year?

Yes - it is the biggest cycle race in the world!

[PhilB]

I believe that, since shortly after the route announcement, you can`t get a room anywhere near the TdeF routes round Yorkshire. The roads are being retarmacced and welcome signs for the tour are already up in some villages.

[nigelcave]

I believe that, since shortly after the route announcement, you can`t get a room anywhere near the TdeF routes round Yorkshire. The roads are being retarmacced and welcome signs for the tour are already up in some villages.

The point about the roads is definitely something to note: I assume that they will publish a detailed route sooner rather than later - if not already. Stand by for road closures well before the actual date, therefore, as the powers that be rush around resurfacing the relevant roads. Disruption for Great War tourers will certainly bot be confined to the days when the Tour is in town...

[ralphjd]

I believe that, since shortly after the route announcement, you can`t get a room anywhere near the TdeF routes round Yorkshire. The roads are being retarmacced and welcome signs for the tour are already up in some villages.

How about near the route ie our house, only a cock stride away and how much for a bed and breakfast

[Moonraker]

If you aren't interested in the Tour, it's best to avoid the route for the entire day of a particular stage - and also observe an exclusion zone around. If a town or city is hosting the finish of a stage, also avoid it on the day before. And if you're thinking of driving up a mountain road that the Tour is going to take, avoid it on the day (indeed, you won't be allowed to use it) and for a couple of days beforehand. Spectators often camp out on the mountain side for 48 hours or so before the race passes.

Moonraker

[Aurel Sercu]

As to the Ypres area, I don't think there will be a problem round Ypres after the stage has left town in the morning.or before noon.

Aurel

[The Scorer]

I was listening to a conversation about this on Friday morning.

The original conversation was between a chocolate shop owner who had been asked by a (seemingly regular) guide about visiting the shop on the day. The owner advised him not to bother, as the town will be locked down before and during the race - and possibly after as well. He said that there's only going to be one entrance and exit (I'm not sure that it's called, but it's the one near to the Reservoir Cemetery?), and it's not certain whether coaches will be allowed access at all.

From what they told me when I asked a couple of questions, it's going to be absolutely packed. The advice seems to be to avoid the town if you don't have to be there. Our guide last week agreed with this when I told him - he has no intention of being there if he can avoid it!

[Mick D]

I'm an avid cycling fan but I'm also aware of the road closures that apply to every area where it goes. When it comes through North Yorkshire, some of the road closures are to be in place the day before ! Other roads are to be made one way with expected delays

I'll be attending but if I wasn't interested in cycling I'd be avoiding the place for a day or two.

Mick

[Scalyback]

I will be in T'north this year to watch. Most true cycle fans will urrrrrrr cycle into place. Any roadside camping will be roadside, and then cycle off for supplies etc. Apart from the Caravan at the start, the safety car, the pentolon then the support team cars, the road should not be locked down for to long. Another string to ypres bow me thinks.

[Pighills]

I live in Harrogate and my house is on the main route of the T de F. Life will be on hold for 3 days for us because of the race.

People are having to stay at their places of work, sleeping over somehow. You will be able to get out of .Harrogate on the Friday morning to go to work north of the town, but you won't be able to get home again for two and a half days (the south side should be normal movement though, ie: going out of Harrogate towards Leeds) - we've already been told the roads will be shut down. The Saturday as the race comes through and the Sunday as it passes through again, going towards Skipton.

Yes, the roads have been tarmaced and yellow bikes are appearing in strange places all over town, but a lot of people are really not looking forward to it. Many more are positively giddy about it!

Scaly, have you found somewhere for your tent yet? There is a farmer renting pitches and the field is on the main route just as you enter Harrogate - do you want/need the number?

[kenneth505]

it sounds like a blast, see the peloton, have glass of wine and then off to remember.

[Scalyback]

Kim we have found a rugby club to stay at. All the club cyclists look to be staying there,

[ShirlD]

Vive la tour!

[Mick D]

I will be in T'north this year to watch. Most true cycle fans will urrrrrrr cycle into place. Any roadside camping will be roadside, and then cycle off for supplies etc. Apart from the Caravan at the start, the safety car, the pentolon then the support team cars, the road should not be locked down for to long. Another string to ypres bow me thinks.

I will be travelling South to see it !!

Watch out for road closures lasting until 8pm after the stage, as you mention I'm parking a way off the pedaling into Reeth.

Mick

[Scalyback]

Tour of Britian is smaller but I can't remember road closing that late even at the finish line. Indeed I rode over the Swansea finish line a few years later a few minutes after the team cars! Much to the amusment of the crowd. If I could get south to France I will!

Off to do the Anfield 100 tomorow, they have sent me a flyer with my startsheet "Anfield cyclists and the wars", I will see if I can scan it for the forum.

[healdav]

The problem with the Tour de France is that they are utterly selfish and completely demanding. The poor villages and towns thatthey go through on any particular stage actually have to pay for them to go through. Then they are told that all roads have to be closed before the start for the entire length of the stage, and are not to be reopened until the stage is over.

In th case of my village which has "enjoyed" their ministrations, this means that the main road (a main entrance to the city) has to close at 0700 for a stage start at 0900. The intervening time is spent sweeping the road so that no cyclist will have anything as dangerous as a bit of gravel to ride over. Then from 09... there is a procession of every vehicle you can think of advertising everything in sight, followed at 1100.30 when the first cyclist arrives at the village entrance, and at 1101 the last cyclist leaves the village. The road reopens at 1330 when the cyclists get to the end of their hard day's work getting everyone's way.

We are still paying for the special track that had to be laid through the forest ten years ago so that the mere mortals who live in the village could get in and out. No one counts the cost to the two service stations, restaurants, businesses of all sorts, that all lose a day's business.

And all so that a load of drug addicts can show off.

Stay at least 100 miles from the whole benighted carnival. Most people do.