Tour of Britain

All this week, the Tour of Britain has been taking place. And for today’s stage, they’ve come as close to where I live as they will for the whole race.

When the route was announced, I checked – as many do I’m sure – to see if it would come near my hometown of Tickhill. But to be honest, I didn’t hold out much hope.

You see, it came through Tickhill in 2007. However, I wasn’t into road cycling then. DOH!

I remember my wife and children telling me about it afterwards. The whole school had gone out to watch the riders come through the village. “They went really fast!” was the general verdict. I think at the time, I feigned interest, probably to appear polite.

I got my first road bike in the summer of 2009 and have followed the sport of professsional cycling pretty closely ever since.

But I can’t see them coming back to Tickhill for a long time to come. If and when they do, I’ll make sure I take the day off – and certainly won’t need to pretend I’m interested!!!

For the stage tomorrow, Friday 17th September, the race goes from Bury-St-Edmonds to Colchester.

One of the guys who did the London to Paris cycle challenge with me last weekend, Jonathan Durling has reason to be really interested in this stage. He was telling me whilst we were en route that he might be going in the race car for the day!!!

Three years ago, I wouldn’t have batted an eyelid. This year, on the other hand…

Jonathan is on the left. I wonder who he’ll be supporting?