Right - spectator report. We arrived at Powis Castle in cracking good time and after a bit of a yomp got to the car park just as the team coaches were turning up - 9.30ish. The Sky bus had a barricade around it, but we could still get up close, and the spare bikes and race cars were all available for a prod and a poke. The other teams were all open to the public and it was really good to be able to wander about in amongst all the kit and support start.
The rumour that Bradley was out reached us at about 9.45, so disappointed but ho hum. The remaining five meandered out of the bus at about 10.10, chatted a bit and then got on their bikes and tootled up to the start. I was right by the cordon and could have (but restrained myself) touched Cav - wouldn't want to frighten him - and they disappeared. We then went up to the start, there were hoards of over excited school children and stressed looking teachers who had all been give areas close to the barricades which was nice, and all the riders were milling about in the start area for ages. What impressed me was that they were chatting with each other, the crowd and the marshals and endlessly signing autographs, right up to the last minute. They left a bit late, about 10.45 and we dashed for the car so we could get ahead of them before they left Welshpool.
We then drove the course through Newtown, Llandrindod, Builth, and Brecon, and my god it was tough. How they manage to cycle it god only knows. In every town there were loads of people of all ages, and lots of schools and even along random bits of the course there were cars parked to watch. We got to nearly the end of the Brecon KOM and parked up to wait. In the meantime we whizzed the slightly bemused dogs up the mountain for a bit of fresh air, and nearly got blown off.
The six man breakaway zipped past as if they were on a Sunday afternoon ride, then the peloton 3.30 mins later with Sky at the front. I caught a glimpse of Cav, right up there with them and then they were gone. There was a bit of a gap to a straggler then everyone started disappearing. What they hadn't realised was that there were two UK Youth cyclists struggling up the hill a good 5 minutes behind, and they had to dodge the oncoming traffic that had been let through. Not good organisation ToB!
We then had to zip to Hereford in time for school pick up, and I've only just finished my other jobs just now. I'm a bit windswepst, quite tired, and thrilled to bits. The atmosphere is outstanding, everyone is so friendly and there were loads more people than last year. Loved every minute of it, and DH and I are planning a camper van trip to the Tour de France now, in our dreams for the foreseeable future, but one can dream!
Don't know the result yet, off to watch the highlights and see if I can see myself.
If you've read all this, then you're probably knackered too!