Club members were out watching the Tour of Britain go past at various points in Cheshire and Staffordshire this weekend. The 8 day race passed to the north of Congleton on Monday coming down the Dumbars from Allgreave to Bosley, before heading off through Gawsworth and Chelford and Knutsford to finish with a sprint finish in Knowsley Safari Park.
After going up to the Scottish Borders and back, the race was near Congleton again on Thursday with a hilly 147 km stage starting at Trentham Gardens and taking a sweep through the Staffordshire Moorlands to finish in Hanley. The race had KOM climbs at Oakamore and Gun Hill before climbing over Biddulph Moor to descend to the finish. The club had quite a presence at the top of the Bridestones climb and further on up Biddulph Moor.
Pete Smith and Mike Line reported the best ride out to see the Tour.
Cav and Wiggo "losing" the Tour
They rode to Trentham for the Start and then on to Oakamore for the first of the days KOM climbs, and then made it back to see the finish in Hanley. In the process they did 70 miles with 4700 feet of ascent.
We all saw Team Sky spread over many minutes with Wiggo and Cav at 11 minutes behind the stage winner, so perhaps there might be vacancies at Team Sky! Christian Knees now seems to be their only hope of a high overall finish.
Other photos (by Pete Hayhurst) can be seen here.