Clifton CC

2014 Tour de France UK route as announced today in Paris:

•Stage one, July 5: Leeds - Harewood - Otley - Ilkley - Skipton - Kettlewell - Aysgarth - Hawes - Reeth - Leyburn - Ripon - Harrogate

•Stage two, July 6: York - Knaresborough - Silsden - Keighley - Haworth - Hebden Bridge - Elland - Huddersfield - Holmfirth - Sheffield

•Stage three, July 7: Cambridge - Epping Forest - the Olympic Park - the Mall

Looks like a challenging start to the race.

This could be time for another new record up Cragg Vale, eh Skymoos?

Route maps:

Stage 2 looks a bit lumpy, would make a good one day classic.

Stage 1 looks a bit lumpy aswell - Kidstones, Buttertubs and Grinton Moor - all narrow roads - the gc contenders will need to be attentive although it is quite a long run to the finish on main roads. Even so I dont see that being a big bunch finish. Stage 2 looks really tough with Holme Moss in the last few miles which is always epic and then up the A628. That definitely wont be a big bunch finish!

I'm not sure, I reckon Harrogate could be a big gallop, buttertubs etc are a way out. The second stage could be carnage though with the climbs coming thick and fast towards the end. If they race them hard and the weather ain't good it could be a Phil Gilbert sort of day. Yeah the GC men will have to be very switched on both stages, should be really interesting.

Personally, I think they've missed a trick with Old Pool Bank. Nice, sharp and hard, and barely off route at all. But ho hum. Also, sorry to see that Scarborough and Sutton Bank both vanished from the plans.

Going to be unrealistic (maybe) and say we should demand a Tour of Yorkshire reusing these routes for an Under-23 or UCI 2.2 level weekender. Add something else, and we can have a late May bank holiday spectacle. Needn't be a fixed route, but once you've proven it works, why not reuse it to prove that Yorkshire deserves a regional tour?

(Cynics note: or is the fact that Team Sky wouldn't be invited a reason to avoid any contribution whatsoever? BC/Sky conflict rant over.)

Sagan for both stages I reckon. He may also threaten my Water's End ascent KOM which I'm sure will be his priority.

Looks to me like thay've got it pretty easy and they are tackling the killer drag up past the RSPCA sanctuary on Water End early on stage 2. I hate that bit after a "K" ride on a Saturday

I was really worried the race would be taken just up and down the A19 but this is inspiring stuff. We've got one of the greatest sporting events in the world coming through our playground. These are Clifton's roads. Imagine the helicopter shots of the riders going over Buttertubs and on down Swaledale...... gives me goose bumps.

As a club, should we approach "visit Yorkshire" (or whatever they're called) and suggest a sportive of one of these routes? They could practice closing the roads and let us amateurs try....

Give up rob far too long time for me to be excited!!ONLY what 17 MONTHS

PeteN - yes, that seems like a good idea. Maybe find a Sheffield club with which to host a Stage 2-based amateur ride? There's a lot of enthusiasm amongst the local government sorts involved in this for connecting this to getting people out of cars and on to bikes, not just in terms of city cycling, so its possible they might be quite keen.

Pete/Graham - well done for offering to organise this Sportive. If you were wondering of something to call it had you thought of the Etape du Tour? I believe they have one in France?

paulM wrote:Pete/Graham - well done for offering to organise this Sportive. If you were wondering of something to call it had you thought of the Etape du Tour? I believe they have one in France?

Don't wind them up Paul. I know your not the biggest fan of sportives especially ones with high entry fees and of course the above routes could be ridden any time you like but they haven't picked the above routes for the etape but it would a bonus to ride roads which are closed once in while so probably not a bad suggestion. But having said that riding on those roads (A roads predominantly) closed or not wouldnt be my choice as there are plenty of more minor routes. At least cycling is one of those sports that you can pretend to emulate professionals unlike say football. How many get to play at wembley for example?

Jon