Robbie McEwan, how amazing was that man 
Another Ridley win
Stage 1
22 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
by Stu Merckx Man » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:01 pm
it was amazing how he managed to make his way all through the field within such a short distance! i though he was out the running.
and what a shame about kavandash(spelling?)...2 mechanicals. it looked like he was going t cry!
and what a shame about kavandash(spelling?)...2 mechanicals. it looked like he was going t cry!
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by huw williams » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:18 pm
I had a vision of Cavendish coming over the line on his own - but not like that 
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by Andrew G » Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:40 pm
Went to the Feathers to join Ian's ride out today and when I was over the road getting some grub from the garage a CR arrived. 
A fine bunch rolled in having met at CSS and there must have been about 30 out today for a ride out to watch the 1st stage, well to be honest sample the atmosphere as they go past so quickly.
We split in to 2 groups, one with Paul T for what would I expect be a bit of a barn-stormer. Paul T, Marek, Paul H, and George in a group doesn't spell "easy ride" to me.
Ian led the rest of us (cowards) on a very nice ride out with quite a few hills to test the legs.
We ended up at the top of the 1st KOM climb where the crowd was great. Fantastic to see so many people out to watch a bike race. Despite all the Daily Mail etc idiots it proves that we do like bikes in this country. Whenever there's a big race in the UK the crowds are very good, it's just a shame we don't have more of them.
Fleeting glimpses of the race later and we set off. Originally we were going to go to a pub in Brenchley to watch the finish, and meet up with Paul's group. Not sure why this changed and we ended up faffing about a bit. Eventually found a pub in Leigh where some did stop for food and a drink. I left for home with Ian and some others to save waiting around.
We split as Adrian, Jon, Mark, and I headed back via Westerham and some more hills.
Enjoyable day and a good ride. Thanks to Ian for sorting out such a good route.
A fine bunch rolled in having met at CSS and there must have been about 30 out today for a ride out to watch the 1st stage, well to be honest sample the atmosphere as they go past so quickly.
We split in to 2 groups, one with Paul T for what would I expect be a bit of a barn-stormer. Paul T, Marek, Paul H, and George in a group doesn't spell "easy ride" to me.
Ian led the rest of us (cowards) on a very nice ride out with quite a few hills to test the legs.
We ended up at the top of the 1st KOM climb where the crowd was great. Fantastic to see so many people out to watch a bike race. Despite all the Daily Mail etc idiots it proves that we do like bikes in this country. Whenever there's a big race in the UK the crowds are very good, it's just a shame we don't have more of them.
Fleeting glimpses of the race later and we set off. Originally we were going to go to a pub in Brenchley to watch the finish, and meet up with Paul's group. Not sure why this changed and we ended up faffing about a bit. Eventually found a pub in Leigh where some did stop for food and a drink. I left for home with Ian and some others to save waiting around.
We split as Adrian, Jon, Mark, and I headed back via Westerham and some more hills.
Enjoyable day and a good ride. Thanks to Ian for sorting out such a good route.
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by Marek » Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:18 pm
The Tunnell train set off at a nice brisk pace, with Paul as ever stomping away along the lanes. The pace was actually pretty quick and a race up the first hill pretty much set the scene for most of the riding today.
It was fantastic weather and as we were cycling out towards Brenchley we saw loads of cyclists and spectators coming out who were cheering and waving at us as we zoomed past. Why isn't it like this every week?
As we got into Tonbridge we were diverted a longish route to get to our destination, the Halfway House. This was about a 10 mile diversion, and I could see that some of our group were starting to feel the pace and were in need of refreshment. At a petrol station on the A21, Sylv bought 4 litres of diet coke. They were on special offer apparently, so we all topped up our bottles and carried on. It was not too much further and we were in some small country lanes where we eventually managed to find our destination.
The halfway house was kitted out with a marquee about 4 tvs and loads of thirsty and hungry cyclists. We took our seats with a pint and some crisps and watched the stage unfold. After a while the place started to fill up and then the caravan came through.
I have never seen so many adults scream and shout in order to get a free pen, clothes softner, laundry bags and skoda hats. But I have to admit I got quite caught up in this and managed to bag a skoda hat and some haribo sweets. I left the softner behind for some lucky punter.
After the caravan we all found our spots along the road and cheered whenever anything went past, Ajay even got a cheer for running up the road pushing his pram.
At about 1.30pm the breakaway came through and David Millar got a big cheer. 5 minutes later and the peleton came through with the CSC team on the front and managed to get a couple of picture of cancellera in yellow.
After they had gone through I had another pint and then we sat down and watched the race unfold on the tvs in the marquee. After the race we headed back toward Coulsdon with me peeling off at Tunbridge Wells. Loads of cyclists on the way back home which was great as gave me targets to aim for as I was starting to feel a bit cooked. Had about 120kms on the clock when I got in, a really enjoyable day, great weather company and racing. Blimey McKewan is awesome.
Cheers
Marek....
It was fantastic weather and as we were cycling out towards Brenchley we saw loads of cyclists and spectators coming out who were cheering and waving at us as we zoomed past. Why isn't it like this every week?
As we got into Tonbridge we were diverted a longish route to get to our destination, the Halfway House. This was about a 10 mile diversion, and I could see that some of our group were starting to feel the pace and were in need of refreshment. At a petrol station on the A21, Sylv bought 4 litres of diet coke. They were on special offer apparently, so we all topped up our bottles and carried on. It was not too much further and we were in some small country lanes where we eventually managed to find our destination.
The halfway house was kitted out with a marquee about 4 tvs and loads of thirsty and hungry cyclists. We took our seats with a pint and some crisps and watched the stage unfold. After a while the place started to fill up and then the caravan came through.
I have never seen so many adults scream and shout in order to get a free pen, clothes softner, laundry bags and skoda hats. But I have to admit I got quite caught up in this and managed to bag a skoda hat and some haribo sweets. I left the softner behind for some lucky punter.
After the caravan we all found our spots along the road and cheered whenever anything went past, Ajay even got a cheer for running up the road pushing his pram.
At about 1.30pm the breakaway came through and David Millar got a big cheer. 5 minutes later and the peleton came through with the CSC team on the front and managed to get a couple of picture of cancellera in yellow.
After they had gone through I had another pint and then we sat down and watched the race unfold on the tvs in the marquee. After the race we headed back toward Coulsdon with me peeling off at Tunbridge Wells. Loads of cyclists on the way back home which was great as gave me targets to aim for as I was starting to feel a bit cooked. Had about 120kms on the clock when I got in, a really enjoyable day, great weather company and racing. Blimey McKewan is awesome.
Cheers
Marek....
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by Roy Green » Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:19 pm
No ride today, as my wife Jean wouldn't miss it (even for Wimbledon Mens Finals day!). So we drove down, and intended to join a big ACC contingent at the Brenchley pub. Took the turning before, and too much aggro in a car to retrack, so settled in the great little village of Matfield (just before Brenchley). Sat for 2-1/2 hours in the sun on our folder chairs, right on the barrier, virtual VIP view. Drinks and Bacon-Brie baguettes in the sun. Could any of those iconic images of French villagers watching Le Tour swish through beat this? Doubt it. Great turnout there, few of them bike devotees (before this!), and enjoyed explaining points tp those nearby & to friendly lady cop. (Example: "They'll never catch the leaders before Canterbury!" 
-Millar group had 5min 40sec there. And "Only at Maidstone? I'll be at least an hour before they're here!"
Have some fine images, especially a side-on of Millar leading, and many of the Prologue. Will post some when sorted and Forum-sized, probably with Andrew's help ...
We rushed back, saw the incredible McEwen magic and Cavendish (note spelling Stu!) grief - and caught the Tennis final too!!
Quelle jour fantastique!
Roy
-Millar group had 5min 40sec there. And "Only at Maidstone? I'll be at least an hour before they're here!"
Have some fine images, especially a side-on of Millar leading, and many of the Prologue. Will post some when sorted and Forum-sized, probably with Andrew's help ...
We rushed back, saw the incredible McEwen magic and Cavendish (note spelling Stu!) grief - and caught the Tennis final too!!
Quelle jour fantastique!
Roy
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by Toks » Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:21 pm
[quote="huw williams"]I had a vision of Cavendish coming over the line on his own - but not like that
Yeah a real shame! According to the man himself he was knocked off the bike by some knucklehead spectator 
. Well done for DM on trying to still get yellow but getting the polkadot jersey as a consolation - Toks
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by Sylv » Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:52 pm
Well I managed to stay awake for some unexpected late Wimbledon action and the Stage 1 highlights, but feel I will collapse any minute now.
Marek, soon after we left you the ride (Paul T, Paul H, Adam, George and me) turned into a chaingang. You evil bastards. It totally demolished me and I got dropped countless times towards the end. I think I should've been buying full-sugar Coke instead. We ran into another ACC group at the top of Titsey and of all people marco drops me going through Warlingham. Looking good on the bike marco .
Top day out, thanks Paul there couldn't have been a better spot and pub to see the Tour, to think I have to come to England to witness my first TdF stage
. 130km yesterday, same today (20mph). I think I'll be having a rest until Wednesday night ... but tomorrow will have many backstage photos of Friday night - riders and bikes - and look out for Duffers clumsily knocking down a few £4k Pro bikes
Marek, soon after we left you the ride (Paul T, Paul H, Adam, George and me) turned into a chaingang. You evil bastards. It totally demolished me and I got dropped countless times towards the end. I think I should've been buying full-sugar Coke instead. We ran into another ACC group at the top of Titsey and of all people marco drops me going through Warlingham. Looking good on the bike marco
.
Top day out, thanks Paul there couldn't have been a better spot and pub to see the Tour, to think I have to come to England to witness my first TdF stage
. 130km yesterday, same today (20mph). I think I'll be having a rest until Wednesday night ... but tomorrow will have many backstage photos of Friday night - riders and bikes - and look out for Duffers clumsily knocking down a few £4k Pro bikes -
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by Elliot M » Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:20 pm
intended to meet up with Ian M but overslept and then realised I had to get to merstham not coulsdon! rode the 15 miles from my house to the feathers at record speed to be told by a pedestrian that they'd left 2 minutes previously!
kept going but realised after a few miles that i'd overdone it and had no chance of catching them, especially without a map and only the haziest idea of the route...so managed to hook up at redhill with a mate, richard (who some of you met in the pub on sat eve). managed to get a bit lost but eventually got to tonbridge, only about 45 mins before the peleton!
absolutely rammed, we eventually got up the high street to the foot of the climb but could get no further. just about saw the race standing in a hedge.
afterwards i rode up to the cote de southborough, bumped into marco and took an off road route to the ACC pub ... but they weren't there! a few miles further found the bat and ball and swelled the numbers enough to make the management switch the tv over from F1. watched the spectacular finish and then headed back with rich. after 10 miles thought the scenery looked familiar, and sure enough passed the bat and ball again! rest of the journey passed without incident, once i'd force fed rich energy bars to keep him from collapsing at westerham.
total 100 miles!
was 97 when i got home so rode round the block a few times to make it up!
kept going but realised after a few miles that i'd overdone it and had no chance of catching them, especially without a map and only the haziest idea of the route...so managed to hook up at redhill with a mate, richard (who some of you met in the pub on sat eve). managed to get a bit lost but eventually got to tonbridge, only about 45 mins before the peleton!
absolutely rammed, we eventually got up the high street to the foot of the climb but could get no further. just about saw the race standing in a hedge.
afterwards i rode up to the cote de southborough, bumped into marco and took an off road route to the ACC pub ... but they weren't there! a few miles further found the bat and ball and swelled the numbers enough to make the management switch the tv over from F1. watched the spectacular finish and then headed back with rich. after 10 miles thought the scenery looked familiar, and sure enough passed the bat and ball again! rest of the journey passed without incident, once i'd force fed rich energy bars to keep him from collapsing at westerham.
total 100 miles!
was 97 when i got home so rode round the block a few times to make it up!
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by Ian A4size » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:44 pm
[quote]Cavendish (note spelling Stu!)
AAAhhh pedantry runs in the family
My take on things later, just watched the whole race. McKewan!
WTF!
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by mrP(Boonen)VT » Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:08 am
[quote]We split in to 2 groups, one with Paul T for what would I expect be a bit of a barn-stormer. Paul T, Marek, Paul H, and George in a group doesn't spell "easy ride" to me.
and don't forget Adam
Only 20mph average for 85 hilly miles
It was all Georges fault for hammering along the A21. Once Marek peeled off, the pace went up (hmmmmmmmm), down towards Tonbridge through and off at a steady 40mph - awesome.
We went through the 5 miles of the Q10/19 at 27mph average, then Sylv started to suffer, then on the long climb up River Hill and it was my turn
and on the climb out of Westerham, suffered a terrible loss of leg strength aka bonk.
Met up with other Agreeables at the top and had a blast down to Croydon with Marco on his ROAD BIKE
I think today must rank as one of the most enjoyable days I have had on my bike with the club for a long time, such a fantastic atmosphere, pub right on the route and TV to keep track of race, and great ride.
Thanks guys.
Guru P
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, but never mind) people setting up marquees in their gardens, picnics being laid out and every junction with cars backed up from the road block as far as you could see. And this was basically open country, not the middle of town or even a village.
