St Neots Cycling Club members visit the 2014 TdF
With little ceremony and a few waves from those waiting for their bus, the SNCC Grand Depart left the Market Square at 8.30am for the 1st stage of today’s scheduled 25 mile route to Great Shelford. Despite prior notice to the authorities the roads had not been closed and the crowds were non-existent until reaching Great Gransden when the school mums raised a few voices to encourage the 30 riders as they tackled their second climb of the day (uncategorised) through the village. Thankfully there were no mechanicals on the day as the support cars had obviously got lost or been primed for the wrong day.
Amongst the group were a number of old faces – Rob Black, Jason Gadd and Andy Oxborough – who have all been missing in action over the past few months and we were delighted to see them out again in their SNCC colours.
The motley crew on the day
Andy Kinglake had plotted the route and we were joined by a few visitors including Simon who had been out on the Club run on Sunday along with his friend Mike from Beds CC and James, one of Arron’s few friends, who had cycled up from Ampthill. We even had a new member join today - welcome to Gavin Smart who adds to the growing contingent from Sandy. Our French exile from Yorkshire, Geoff Smith, in his retro club shirt was back in the UK dispensing his usual words of wisdom to the peleton! Good to see Helen back out with the club after her first ride with us a few weeks ago.
A steady pace took us out through Abbotsley and the Gransdens and soon after we met up with Mark from Cambourne. The rare sight of Chris Preston asking people to get on his wheel as he sprinted for the front drew a round of applause from the group and he tells us that he is still surprised that he did not get the call to replace Mark Cavendish.
Once at Shelford we parked the bikes under the trees using various padlocks to make sure that they would remain safe. however ot was very noticeable that Arron was reluctant to leave his new Bianchi explaining that since he had bought it, it had never been out of his sight!
The crowds were building on both sides of the road and at 10.30 the caravan came through as a taster for what was to follow. Even the police riders were joining in and waving to the crowds as they came through. By this time we had split into about four groups with some on a bridge and others on both sides of the road at various points. It was not long ( or did not seem long) before the 2 riders who had made the breakaway came through followed shortly by the main bunch and then the post mortem began into who managed to recognisewhich riders as they went flying past.
It was certainly a privilege to be there and witness first hand one of the world’s top sporting events.
A fair amount of drooling then took place as the support cars with all the spare wheels and bikes went serenely by.
After this we all met up and the talk was about finding a pub to quench the thirst and dispense food. The 2nd stage of the route now beckoned and many hoped that it would not be as testing as the 25 mile first stage. We headed back towards Granchester and although a few wanted to stop for afternoon tea at the Orchard, consensus was to press on and find a pub.
After Granchester we found a pub, The Hounds, in Barton with a garden The only problem was that it didn't open until 4pm. The landlord appeared and said that he would open for us, so the power of SNCC has now been extended to making pubs open! No food was available, however beers were dispensed and Keith Barton was soon behind the bar helping the landlord. There is no end to the skill sets of the SNCC members and he did claim to have had previous experience although some of the comments suggested that he should not give up his “day job”
"I want to tell you a story..." Quenching the thirst
So we sat and enjoyed the sun whilst planning the next stage of the journey home. Talk was now about a café stop in Bourne which must have been at least 8 miles away, however most felt that they could just about manage this stage without further support and it should be within our range. Rolling up at the café in Bourne we enjoyed coffee and cake and the glorious sunshine continued to follow us.
This was a very sociable day with a great cross section of the club in attendance and to top it off we even managed to get home five minutes before the finish to watch them fight it out on the Mall.
Other club members were dotted around the route with Gary and Mark B in Finchingfield, Steve Blows at the start in Cambridge and Tony Scopes also in Cambridge.
Steve Lyons was one of the “tour “people and was on meet and greet, so overall the SNCC colours were in out in force across the region.
We thought, finally, that in the spirit of the day we should award the various jerseys on offer to those members who had performed so well on the day.
Yellow jersey – A close run thing on the day with many possible contenders including Judy who did a good turn on the front after Barton and Simon who led us out of St Neots but in deference to his age and his country of residence it can only be awarded to Geoff Smith.
Green jersey - Might be a contentious choice (well he is Welsh) but for his lead out train as we entered the Shelfords Terry Davies has to be the winner.
Polka Dot - Although the extensive climbs left many of the group spent, good to see Andy Kinglake almost sprinting up the hills followed closely by Jason Gadd, so Andy takes the honours this time.
White – Not many contenders given the age profile of the Club, however as the only one on the day who was under 26 it has to go to recent new member, Michael Layland.
These jerseys will, obviously, remain uncontested until the next time the Tour is on our shores again so wear them with pride!
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