TDF Marshalling

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Sorry Sean, gave up on the marshaling thing when they said ACC couldn't be together, or even vaguely in the same area, then their demends to attend a course in London beforehand on a date when I was doing something else. And now Bluewater.......

I'd forget it and come and watch instead

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

An open invitation to all members of Forty Plus - including Agreeable members (from PVT!!!)


On July 8th, riders of stage 1 of the Tour de France 2007 will pass through SE London and Kent on their way to Canterbury. In order to celebrate this event, the West Kent District Association of the CTC has organised a location on the route at which cyclists of all abilities may watch the progress of the stage. The location is the Halfway House pub at Brenchley; post code for the pub is TN12 7AX. A large screen TV will be available to view the progress of the stage, and of course all the fun of the parade of sponsors and others before the riders flash past on their way to the category 4 climb to Goudhurst just 4 miles further on.

Feeder rides from other parts of Kent have been arranged as follows

Bexleyheath: 9.15 am from Bexley Post Office; contact Mike Friday 020 8859 7617

Paddock Wood: 10.00 am from Paddock Wood railway station (this is a family ride); contact Helen McQuillen 020 8850 6630
Medway Towns: 8.00 am from Rochester Castle Steps; contact Geoff Hunt 01634 719504

Orpington: 8.30 am from Orpington railway station; contact Peter Woods 01689 821475
Green Street Green Bromley: 8 am; contact Adrian Cowie 020 8651 1510

Sittingbourne: 8.00 am from King George V Playing Field; contact Barry Jordan 01795 429061

Tonbridge: 9.30 am from Tonbridge railway station; contact Peter Ashley 020 7525 3965

As you may know South Eastern Trains have announced that bikes will not be allowed on any of their routes on the day. This will cause problems for cyclists planning to travel to the area by train. For those who wish to come down by train from London one option may be to walk the less than 3 miles from Paddock Wood station; there may still be the possibility of using folding bikes for those who have them. Despite this problem we still expect considerable numbers of visitors from outside our area. For example, we know of a ride from Sutton and Cheam, and have just been told to expect a large contingent from Hampshire.

There will be a rolling closure of roads along the race route. The roads will be closed from 8am in Tonbridge, and slightly earlier in Maidstone, and slightly later in Tunbridge Wells and Brenchley. Once the roads are closed it will not be permitted to cycle along the route or, where there are barriers (particularly Town centres), wheel bikes along the route. It will be possible to cross the route at selected points in towns (pelican crossings etc) and at cross roads in the country but in the town centres and possibly elsewhere it will not be possible to cross the race route later than half an hour before the race caravan is expected to arrive. We will still be able to cross the A228 by the foot/cycle bridge near Pembury (TQ 627 423). The local police have confirmed that there will no problem accessing the Half Way House by lane from the south west.

>From early on (time to be confirmed) the pub will be open for refreshments and early arrivals will be able to follow the progress of the race on a large screen TV. Hot food and baguettes will available for lunch. The race caravan is expected to start passing the pub at about 11.50 and the race itself is expected to go by at about 1.35. The race route around Brenchley will remain closed at least until 2.15.

Arrangements are in hand to decorate the pub and turn it into 'l'Hotel de Ville' with flags and bunting galore. After the race has passed by, the party atmosphere will have developed its own momentum, aided by the excellent food and drink that will be available. If you wish, wear fancy dress or club colours, to add to the festive spirit. The day should be a highlight of our social programme. Come and make sure that it is.

Martin Gill
Secretary, West Kent CTC
01732 453823

Sounds like a plan to me.....Just beyond Tunbridge Wells.......CSS 8:30 am any takers?

[Andrew G]

[quote]Sounds like a plan to me.....Just beyond Tunbridge Wells.......CSS 8:30 am any takers?

[Robert]

I don`t believe I have any TTs due that weekend so I could be up for it.

[Mike I]

A friend of a neighbour has a house on the route (somewhere near Ashford), as a result of which I have been invited to go down on Saturday and camp in the orchard . Then on Sunday I shall make like a caricature Frenchman (criossants for breakfast, a game of boules, a glass of pastis and a Gauloise) to get ready for the peleton.

I will then paint GO WIGGINS on the road before collecting huge amounts of tat from the caravan, slipping on my giant inflatable T-Mobile hand from last year's ToB and watching the race go through.

So, I probably won't make it to the Halfway House. Are there any plans for the Prologue?

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote]Sounds like a plan to me.....Just beyond Tunbridge Wells.......CSS 8:30 am any takers?

[Andrew G]

[quote]I will then paint GO WIGGINS