Tour de France 2014

Massive road closures in London. On a weekday. Even 'lympics and '07 Depart didn't try that.

I thought there were massive road closures in London every day.. caused by cars, typically.

Those sex pest eyebrows,.......... that smile..............and................ that sponsor...........so very very wrong.

Ricky Feather gets a 4 minute global advert. Not too shabby.

Quite a bit of Rapha in there too.

I love that the ride in from essex is down that grotty long straight drag through epping forest. Ridden it so many times on the way home from weekend rides. Hate that road.

Let's hope they resurface it, especially the edges, and remove that crap cycle lane and the cateyes.

Get rid of the weird ridge/ripple at least!

Last time I rode in Essex I was amazed at how smooth the roads were. You lot need to get into Surrey or the Chilterns where they have kindly turned the roads into CX and MTB courses for our enjoyment.

^ The roads in Essex are generally pretty nice, but this one is one of those turd ones that are pitted everywhere and nasty to ride on. Froome will shit his pants when he sees it.

And the bike lane paint is quite a bump, and right in the position where you want to ride; if you're outside it, you're facing the wrsath of the douchebags who drive down there at about 70mph, if you're inside it, you're uncomfortably close to the kerb...

I love that the ride in from essex is down that grotty long straight drag through epping forest. Ridden it so many times on the way home from weekend rides. Hate that road.

Crown Hill and Ivy Chimneys?

I hope they will ride over the cattle grid too. Twice.

Crown Hill and Ivy Chimneys?

The one leading directly between Epping (the town) and Woodford / Lea Bridge Rd

The one leading directly between Epping (the town) and Woodford / Lea Bridge Rd

Csb

I hope they will ride over the cattle grid too. Twice.

They would be going at a what speed so?

We were hoping it would go past our clubhouse in Ugley, but unfortunately swerves off towards (prettier) Saffron Walden. I'll have to watch it from work - it'll go past my office in North Weald

^ The roads in Essex are generally pretty nice, but this one is one of those turd ones that are pitted everywhere and nasty to ride on. Froome will shit his pants when he sees it.

And the bike lane paint is quite a bump, and right in the position where you want to ride; if you're outside it, you're facing the wrsath of the douchebags who drive down there at about 70mph, if you're inside it, you're uncomfortably close to the kerb...

I used to train on this road in the 70s. It was a nice bit of road. On a tandem we could keep up with the traffic (cars were a bit slower then)

I rode on it recently and yes it's now horrible for cyclists. The cycle lane really is rubbish

Yes, my hope is that the Epping Road will at last be resurfaced.

However, I have heard that there will be a feed station at the High Beach Tea Hut..

^ ha! just picturing the TdF riders queuing up at the tea hut for a cuppa & bread pudding

All we need to do is get some flags and stand @ the roundabout to point them in the right direction.....

Just a warning to anyone planning to come to Yorkshire...

If you plan to camp, book now. They are charging mental prices at all the campsites in the local area, upwards of £100 a night. Hotels are selling out fast.

I'd offer to put up as many as I can, but due to unforeseen circumstances I've had to move house and no longer have a garden that can be camped in.

Make plans now!

I have booked in with family friends in the Dales. Smug.

Also worth pointing out that getting bikes on trains that weekend could be next to impossible. Each mainline train has room for about six in the guard's van, and that's the only place they're allowed.

Luckily for me the family are up there (within 1/2 mile of the route in my sister's case), as is one of my bikes.

I have booked in with family friends in the Dales. Smaug.

£100 a night for a campsite?! Fuuuuuuuuu...

So whilst Yorkshire folk claim they are dead friendly and welcoming and that, they are in fact money grabbing, greedy bastards.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/24951818

He's changed his tune in 3 months. He was definitely Kenyan when he was interviewed after the Tour. Looks like his contract wants him more British..