It started early with setting up the field behind the Reading Rooms with the table, food, bar-b-q and straw bales for the days festivities.... Thanks everyone and to Pete for the instant seating!.... and then after a more relaxed cuppa, we all went down onto the road below to wait for the entourage to drive past. There were hundreds of people lining the course...... All waiting for the main event...
Eventually there was a cry from someone, "Here they come" The riders could be seen from way up the road as they came over the hill having completed the first speed race to The Street Head Inn at Newbiggin... There was the sound of helicopters above, and then the leader came past in a flash... There was a long pause... followed about 3 mins later by all the other racers... There was so much noise... with whooping from the crowd and then some people started to run with the cycles... they were so closely bunched that it was to imagine how there aren't more accidents.......
I was on the verge sitting down as close to the edge of the road as I could and it was thrilling to see all the main group speeding towards us... they were on top of us and then past so quickly that it was hard to make the decision to watch or to photograph........ They were followed by all the back-up vehicles carrying spare bikes and parts, there were dozens of them all trying to keep up with their team members......... so exciting!
I was on the verge sitting down as close to the edge of the road as I could and it was thrilling to see all the main group speeding towards us... they were on top of us and then past so quickly that it was hard to make the decision to watch or to photograph........ They were followed by all the back-up vehicles carrying spare bikes and parts, there were dozens of them all trying to keep up with their team members......... so exciting!
When it had all gone past we retreated back to the field for an afternoon of champagne, beer and delicious food......
....oh and lots of great company...
When the roads opened again I popped over to see if Daisy-May and the others were ok... We had taken them to the top of Home field so they were away from the crowds.... and I also went round to open the gate at the top of Mrs Whaley's field so that the sheep could come down close to the road again... They were all fine............ Tonight we have a beer festival in the village and then we can all get back to normal.............. what a brilliant day!!!
....oh and lots of great company...
When the roads opened again I popped over to see if Daisy-May and the others were ok... We had taken them to the top of Home field so they were away from the crowds.... and I also went round to open the gate at the top of Mrs Whaley's field so that the sheep could come down close to the road again... They were all fine............ Tonight we have a beer festival in the village and then we can all get back to normal.............. what a brilliant day!!!
RSS Feed
