Racing Lines
Art by Maxine Dodd
Tour of Britain 2016: Stage 6 – Sidmouth to Haytor
Hello! Stage 6 took a route through the county of Devon, from the beaches at Sidmouth up inland on to Dartmoor, finishing high up on Haytor. The weather wasn’t kind – wet and windy, riders and fans passing through dark lanes shrouded by tall trees – definitely the place to meet a highwayman in older days! The race was tough going but still plenty of…
Tour of Britain 2016: Stage 5 – Aberdare to Bath
Hello! Stage 5 traversed the country from South Wales back into England through the Wye Valley, the county of Gloucestershire finishing in the renowned city of Bath in Somerset. Crowds were amazing yet again, hundreds turning out to congratulate the riders and cheer them along the way. A fantastic stage with a four-man breakaway for the last 50m. In the final sprint, Jack Bauer took the stage win in…
Tour of Britain 2016: Stage 4 – Denbigh to Builth Wells
Hello! Stage 4 saw the Tour of Britain cross the border from England into Wales, following the longest route of this year’s race through the counties of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Powys and across the steep terrain of the Welsh mountains. It was a fine, sunny day and my eye was just caught by the intense shadows, leading me to experiment with extremes of line, shade and colour….
Tour of Britain 2016: Stage 3 – Congleton to Tatton Park, Knutsford
Hello! Stage 3 saw the Tour of Britain move further south and west to the county of Cheshire -for the first time and certainly not the last. A lovely county with hills and dales and very enthusiastic cycling fans. The people were out in great numbers, from schools to cycling clubs and everyone in between! Villages and towns were festooned with orange bikes – great support from the people…
Tour of Britain 2016: Stage 2 – Carlisle to Kendal
Hello! Stage 2 of the Tour of Britain moved down from Scotland to England in the county of Cumbria with inevitably changeable weather. The race began in sunshine and finished in dark rain and mist. The course covered several punishing climbs, including one appropriately named, The Struggle. It was a hard day but plenty of fans – riders themselves out with their bikes – were up on the hills to…
Tour of Britain 2016: Stage 1 – Glasgow to Castle Douglas
Hello! September sees cycling back in the UK, with the Tour of Britain. I love this race, not just because it takes place at home but because it attracts an interesting mix of teams and riders. I like its intensity and with the competition taking place in one week, there’s great racing to enjoy. Stage 1 began in Glasgow and followed a gorgeous route through rolling countryside…
Tour of Britain 2015 – Views from Stages 1 and 2
Hello! This time of year is always busy! There is so much going on as the cycling season reaches its close (as much as any sport closes these days!). La Vuelta continues in Spain but here in the UK, we have the Tour of Britain. Only eight stages but always a treat and this year is no exception, starting in Wales, on into Lancashire, Northumbria,…
Back to Blighty – Tour of Britain 2013
Hello! The Tour of Britain flew past in a flash! Only 8 stages but very entertaining ones they were, with the return of Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish. From Scotland to Wales and south into England, the landscape was beautiful, but boy it was wet! Here are my drawings:
