Tour of Britain in Darlington

[hugo15]

Just back from watching the start of stage 2 of the Tour of Britain in Darlington. It was fantastic. All the team cars were parked in the market place and you could just mingle with the riders and have a look at the bikes. Took a few photos!

The main man, Brad Wiggins. There was a big crowd outside the Garmin bus but managed to grab a snap as he came past.

Me with Chris Newton of Rapha Condor. Chris is from Stockton and I used to ride against him on the track at Clarville when I was a kid. Our cycling careers have taken different routes…… one of us become World Champ and Olympic Medallist on the track… the other one didn’t!

Steve Cummings, who has just signed for Team Sky

Geiraint Thomas, gold medallist from the team pursuit in Beijing. Also just signed for Team Sky.

Russell Downing, recent Tour of Ireland winner and another Team Sky signing

Ed Clancy, another one of the team pursuit gold medallists.

The Halfords Bikehut team pose for a photo

And finally, bike porn!!!

[FUBBLEJUG]

I was there too mate,cracking morning.Love the way people were just able to mooch around.Nice pics.

[Richard A Thackeray]

Nice pics there, & a ‘grand day out’ for you.

My mother-in-law used to work with Ed Clancys father (an opticians shop), & remembers a skinny kid clattering in the door in cleats, asking his dad for some money to go & buy new tyres/chains/’bits & bobs’ all the time.

She still tells me that all the time, as her cycling ‘claim to fame’ 🙄

Mine is knowing Barry Hobans sister & brother-in-law 😆

Mindst you, we have quite a sporting ‘clique’ at work, we have;

1. A Nurse who’s a World level kick-boxer.

A couple of years ago, she represented England in Florida (for her federation/association, at her weight/ability) & was in-line for the Gold Medal, but was marked down to silver for ‘being too aggressive’

In kick-boxing!?! 😯

We also had another Nurse, but she’s left, who ‘K-B’d’ at National level

(I make it point never to argue with her, understandably!)

2. A Nurse, who was a Wakefield Harriers club-mate of Olympic athlete Emily Freeman, & used to beat her convincingly, but quit training when she commenced nurse-training 😀

3. A Radiographer, who was a Javelin thrower (also Wakefield Harriers), but due to injury quit, & has since started training again with the intent of a try-out for a team-place at the 2012 Olympics 😯

4. A Consultant who was the team-doctor for the British Olympic Swimming teams (now left the profession)

5. Another Consultant who (I understand) is involved with the sports injury side of the English rugby teams

[HarryB]

Yes, but I drove past Clint Eastwood sitting on the veranda of a log cabin in his underpants and he bought me a pint later.

And no, I’m not making it up

[Gunner]

Great pictures, Hugo. The atmosphere must have been fantastic.

How was the weather over there?

[hugo15]

Love the way people were just able to mooch around.Nice pics.

It was great wasn’t it, being able to mix with riders and have a good look at their bikes. The riders bike handling skills were amazing, just weaving in and out of the people as they made their way up to sign on. I have been to see a couple of finishes before but being at the start was loads better.

[hugo15]

How was the weather over there?

The weather was OK. It was a bit grey and overcast and not overly warm but it stayed dry.

Looking forward to watching the highlights of the stage on ITV4 in 15 minutes.

[Jeff]

i went to spectate halfway up the second KOM climb just after the race winning break formed, enjoyed it but i could easily create a better route than the one that they do, its hopeless! anyway here are some action shots! 😀

[Gunner]

More superb pictures, well done. 😀 😀

[dagza]

Yes, but I drove past Clint Eastwood sitting on the veranda of a log cabin in his underpants and he bought me a pint later.

And no, I’m not making it up

😯

Expand please!

[johnrocketfuel]

I once pissed on Bob Mortimer’s shoes (by accident !)

Nothing to do with cycling but I was feeling left out 😳

Johnboy

[ShinSplint]

Steve, looks like you had a great time !

Good to see you did manage to catch up with Chris Newton. I know you were looking forward to possibly meeting him – did you have much to say, or was it just a quick snap?

Well done 🙂

[hugo15]

Steve, looks like you had a great time !

Good to see you did manage to catch up with Chris Newton. I know you were looking forward to possibly meeting him – did you have much to say, or was it just a quick snap?

Well done 🙂

It was great. Seeing the riders and bikes I see every week in Cycling Weekly was fantastic.

I had a quick chat with Chris Newton. He said his form was good and I got the impression he was going to try something. When I watched the highlights last night there he was attacking a few kms into the stage. Two other guys went with him but unfortunately the move didn’t stick.