2014 Tour de France will start in Yorkshire and come to Sheffield

Look out folks, its started coming through. Yesterday I could have taken out team BMC (and their support car with hazards flashing), as they went through the lights at Salt Box Lane on red! Have dashcam to prove it! :-)

 

See they're setting a fine example to other cyclists!

Lol, you believe that that the TdF riders are there to set an example on how to cycle on the road.

Excited about it now. I reckon I`ll head out to Jenkin Road area, probs train or tram to area.

Look out folks, its started coming through. Yesterday I could have taken out team BMC (and their support car with hazards flashing), as they went through the lights at Salt Box Lane on red! Have dashcam to prove it! :-)

 

See they're setting a fine example to other cyclists!

We saw them going up jenkin road just as the children were coming out of school,there was three or four cars coming up and a load of cyclist they were waving to the children ,I saw a couple of the cyclist looking at the welcome banners and bunting on st margarets church.

Isn't the idea of putting up road signs that they be clear to folk passing by whilst driving a car. It is all very well for the Illuminati on here to make light of things, but most of them obviously never venture out into the real world as they are glued on here pointing out the faults in others.

I posted the parargraph below 23th June in answer to a post querying the wording. Iam 76 years old if I could read and understand the correct wording while driving. The mind boggles of what some drivers see,and fail to understand.

Quote

"Does it actually say Road Closed . As the ones I saw

just said Roads Closed Which I took to be

a general reminder of road closures on Sunday the 6th July"

Off topic I know, but just in case you're watching it from around Grenoside (S35) and get peckish or thirsty. The Scout and Guide HQ on Salt Box Lane will be serving food and drink from 9am till 5pm (or till we run out of stock, which I doubt as we'll buy loads)

You can't miss the place (opposite Grenoside Doctors Surgery) as there's bunting and bikes everywhere!

All proceeds go back into the Cubs, Scouts and Guides funds!!

Here's a link showing what's on offer... thanks for taking the time to look!!

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1321549

Never let it be said that SCC aren't doing their very best in their efforts to promote the Tour of France (as some are doing on here).

Their dedication is unwavering in their continuing battle to promote cycling in this fair city ... not only have they re-cycled scrap pedal bikes, custom painted them with spare yellow road marker paint and tied them to what's left of the trees that they've not already cut down, AND filled in some potholes, we now are greeted by this astonishing treat for the eyes ... massive banners around the Town Hall, probably measuring around 1000mm by 400mm ... the size of tea-towels! And not just the one ... around eighteen! You can almost read what they say without a pair of binoculars! Not to mention some bunting which may/may not have something to do with the bike ride.

This Herculaneum 'no expense spared' publicity stunt is bound to focus eyes from all around the globe on the forthcoming push-bike race, the city advertising executive of course bound to win some kind of prestigious made-up prize which will duly be accepted in a well deserved, pat on the back, all expenses paid trip to the award ceremony somewhere in the south of France, or even Barbados if they're lucky!

Top marks SCC!

.....probably measuring around 1000mm by 400mm ... the size of tea-towels.....

There are some flags, about 20 to 30 in all, at the station and all the way up Howard Street which are a lot bigger than those. Even the ones you've shown can be read from standing below them.

Can someone please point me in the direction of tea towels that are a full 1000mm wide, please?

Cheers in advance.

Its great hearing all these people moan in Sheffield about some roads being closed for a bike race. Turns out they do this in just about every European country for cycle racing and motorsport. Last time I was at a club rally in Belgium they shut the motorway for people to watch from. Everyone over there has a party and drinks masses of beer.

But back to moaning Britain.....better join a traffic jam on Sunday so I can Moan about that.

Moan, Moan, Moan, Moan

So, where to go for a day out to experience the Tour de France on Sunday?

http://letour.yorkshire.com/media/100061012/spectatorguide_map-web.pdf

Official spectator hubs for Sheffield will be located at Don Valley Grass Bowl, in close proximity to the Finish Line and Coronation Park before the Peloton tackles 'Cote de Oughtibridge' at Jawbone Hill (Oughtibridge Lane).

Further spectator facilities will also be available at High Bradfield, Wincobank Common and Abbeyfield Park. All spectator sites will be equipped with large screens, refreshments, toilets and activities for all.

Meadowhall are also hosting a free Fan Fest as the race is set to come right round the shopping centre before the sprint finish at Motorpoint Arena.

Timings

The Publicity Caravan (a procession of visual delights and free gifts from tour sponsors)

High Bradfield 14:01

Oughtibridge 14:10

Jenkin Road 14:37

Motorpoint Arena 14:46

The actual race

Bradfield 15:34-16:01

Oughtibridge 15:42-16:10

Jenkin Road 16:06-16:37

Motorpoint Arena 16:14-16:46

ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL SPECTATOR HUBS

High Bradfield (Steel Stage)

The first spectator hub as the Peloton travels through Sheffield, High Bradfield is set to be haven of celebration on the tour weekend, with activities taking place from Friday 4th - Sunday 6th July.

Dubbed The Steel Stage by organisers, the hub will have entertainment and all the live action on the big screen with free entry to Bradfield Brewery’s first ever Beer Festival and a host of cycling themed activities led by Langsett Cycles.

In conjunction with the Yorkshire Festival, Sheffield’s Documentary Festival Doc/Fest will also be pitching their Tour De Cinema on Sunday 6 July for a series of outdoor screenings.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT - a shuttle bus will run from Malin Bridge tram terminus to Low Bradfield

Oughtibridge (Coronation Park)

Located in the centre of Oughtibridge village, just before the accent of Cote d'Oughtibridge (Jawbone Hill) one of the key climbs in Stage 2, some of the best racing views will be found at Coronation Park.

This community-friendly site ticks a lot of boxes for racing fans with a large screen, disabled viewing, concessions, toilets and children's play area to keep the little ones entertained. Arts activities and performances will be led by Greentop Circus, Oughtibridge Brass Band and Art in the Park to name a few.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT - A shuttle bus will run from Middlewood tram terminus to Oughtibridge

Abbeyfield Park

The Hub at Abbeyfield Park presents the last chance to see the race on a big screen before the Peloton hits Cote de Wincobank on Jenkin Road, arguably the toughest climb of the whole Grand Depart.

As a result Abbeyfield Park will no doubt be a great community hub with its own refreshments, toilets and a big screen to watch all the race action as it approaches.

The Friends of Abbeyfield Park will be combining their annual two day mutlicultural festival with the Tour celebrations to offer a vibrant spectator atmosphere. Expect music, stalls, art commissions, children’s activities, sport, dance, rides and more!

In addition to this, Greentop Circus will be on hand to perform unicycle demonstrations and training, Art in the Park will be running crazy bunting workshops for hands on fun and Little Red Light productions will be hosting a family picnic and fancy dress bicycle parade, so there’ll be plenty to keep everyone entertained.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: train to Meadowhall Interchange

Wincobank Common (Jenkin Hill)

Almost at the brow of 'Cote de Wincobank' on Jenkin Road, one of the toughest climbs in the race, Wincobank Common will be transformed into a family friendly spectator site offering a two day community festival.

The King of the Mountain climb on Jenkin Road has the steepest section of the entire race - a 33% climb up the defensive approach to the Iron Age hillfort, which should make for an exciting spectator experience.

Like all the spectator hubs the site will have its own offering of refreshments, toilets, big screen coverage of the race and creative activities.

The Friends of Wincobank Hill will be leading the onsite celebrations and recalling the history of the area for visitors. Heeley City Farm will be building an Iron Age roundhouse complete with spoke wheel roof and panels decorated by local schools, Unbeatable Energy will be hosting drumming workshops, there will be dance, music and circus performers and biking activities in the Events Arena as well as, weather permitting, a falconry display.

In addition to all of this, artist Paul Evans will be enlisting the help local schools to create a huge eco land art piece to be visible from the air.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT - train to Meadowhall Interchange

Meadowhall (Fanfest, Orange Car Park)

Meadowhall is situated right in the heart of the Stage 2 route action, with the Jenkin Road hill climb just around the corner and the race then coming directly around the shopping Centre itself before the final sprint outside Motorpoint Arena.

As a result Meadowhall is hosting a free Fan Fest, not only giving spectators the chance to see the full race on big viewing screens, but also to stand just feet away from the cyclists as they ride past and gear up for their sprint finish.

Set to be a huge celebration for all the family, the Fan Fest will take place in Meadowhall’s Orange Zone Car Parks. As well as watching the race and the 2 hour long publicity caravan that precedes it, spectators will also get the opportunity to experience a whole host of fun cycling and non-cycling related activities and entertainment throughout the day, as well as the opportunity to take advantage of the 280 stores and over 50 places to eat and drink inside the centre.

Onsite activities include climbing walls, extreme mountain bike shows, mobile caving experiences, mini tennis and basketball sessions, while JE James Cycling will also be hosting specialist Coaching Sessions. Capital FM will also be broadcasting their coverage live from the site and presenting a live music stage.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT - tram to Meadowhall South / Tinsley

Don Valley Bowl (Stage finish)

Don Valley Bowl (DVB) is an official spectator hub, which will sit near the finish line. It will host a 100msq large screen, cycle expo featuring local businesses, pop up retail and restaurant showcase, entertainment, corporate hospitality and much more.

As with all the hubs there will also be a programme of artistic activity throughout the day, including a Poetry Zone, Pedal Powered Printing Press and Stannington Brass Band, while Art in the Park will also be creating some huge aerial view sculptures using local industrial materials to reflect the heritage of this particular area of the city.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT - tram to Arena/Don Valley