Its been cold, wet and windy. Quite astonishing how abruptly the Summer has ended and how Autumnal weather has arrived a little early.
Such has been the welcome for riders in the Tour of Britain this week. Its been unrelentingly miserable for the riders. I'm hoping though, that the equally unrelenting support, encouragement and enthusiasm of the crowds has helped them on their way.
I took a day's holiday on Tuesday and did my bit to help out by marshalling on the ITT at Knowsley. It was a bit chaotic getting allocated a location due to the breakdown of the bus due to take us out to our posts. Along with a severe shortage of volunteers, the marshal organisers were a bit stressed. As it happens, it worked in our favour (I teemed up with local cyclist Tommy) so rather than be posted out in the middle of nowhere, we ended up ensuring the post stage slowing down area was kept safe for the riders.
So we could see the last 250m of the stage, hear the commentary and the riders were travelling very slowly as they passed right next to us. Excellent. Despite the poor weather, the atmosphere was excellent, particularly when Brad arrived, and the result was as good as anyone could hope for. Some very noisy groups of school kids too, no doubt just as enthusiastic about a day out of school as they were about the race.
So we could see the last 250m of the stage, hear the commentary and the riders were travelling very slowly as they passed right next to us. Excellent. Despite the poor weather, the atmosphere was excellent, particularly when Brad arrived, and the result was as good as anyone could hope for. Some very noisy groups of school kids too, no doubt just as enthusiastic about a day out of school as they were about the race.
Yesterday, at its closest point, the race was within 1km of my front door. Being over lunchtime it was possible to get out, pick my boy up from school and watch the riders climb up through Gwernymynydd. Thousands of others had the same idea and the 2km of the climb was lined with spectators on both sides of the road. A break of about 11 riders then 2 minutes later the peloton went through lead by the Sky team with Sir Wiggo and Cav tucked in behind. Great atmosphere amongst the crowd and the weather was dry for most of the hour. Callum was please to see Bradley up so close.
Two enjoyable days and wins for Brad and Cav. Excellent.
A couple of pics from Gwernymynydd below. Another is published in this week's Flintshire Chronicle.
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| Team Sky Procycling Lead The Peloton |
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| Breakaway Group of Leaders (they were caught at 1km to go) |
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