Tour of Britain 2026 Men & Women Thread (Spoilers!)

[Danny]

I am hoping to cycle out to one of the big climbs in Stage 4. The schedule for that day says that roads are going to be closed two hours before the riders arrive. Does that mean I won't be able to go along a closed road on a bike if I get there, say, an hour ahead?

 

[mididoctors]

I am hoping to cycle out to one of the big climbs in Stage 4. The schedule for that day says that roads are going to be closed two hours before the riders arrive. Does that mean I won't be able to go along a closed road on a bike if I get there, say, an hour ahead?

Depends but strictly yes

 

[mjr]

I am hoping to cycle out to one of the big climbs in Stage 4. The schedule for that day says that roads are going to be closed two hours before the riders arrive. Does that mean I won't be able to go along a closed road on a bike if I get there, say, an hour ahead?

It depends. In my experience, if it's a nothing stretch staffed by regular security, they'll usually let you ride as long as the race vehicles haven't reached it yet, sometimes as much as 25 minutes before but often closer to 10. If it's something like a KoM with barriers and some volunteer drunk on temporary power, you'll get shouted at even over an hour before any rider reaches it, as I did again today. Tits.

But do it! What have you got to lose? At worst, you'll watch from a different place to planned, but you'll still see them.

Based on today, don't expect many useful signs, especially before you reach the route. Download as much info as you can, including the PDF guides for teams and media, and ask people.

 

[mididoctors]

It depends. In my experience, if it's a nothing stretch staffed by regular security, they'll usually let you ride as long as the race vehicles haven't reached it yet, sometimes as much as 25 minutes before but often closer to 10. If it's something like a KoM with barriers and some volunteer drunk on temporary power, you'll get shouted at even over an hour before any rider reaches it, as I did again today. Tits.

But do it! What have you got to lose? At worst, you'll watch from a different place to planned, but you'll still see them.

Based on today, don't expect many useful signs, especially before you reach the route. Download as much info as you can, including the PDF guides for teams and media, and ask people.

Better answer

 

[MadMalx]

It depends. In my experience, if it's a nothing stretch staffed by regular security, they'll usually let you ride as long as the race vehicles haven't reached it yet, sometimes as much as 25 minutes before but often closer to 10. If it's something like a KoM with barriers and some volunteer drunk on temporary power, you'll get shouted at even over an hour before any rider reaches it, as I did again today. Tits.

But do it! What have you got to lose? At worst, you'll watch from a different place to planned, but you'll still see them.

Based on today, don't expect many useful signs, especially before you reach the route. Download as much info as you can, including the PDF guides for teams and media, and ask people.

Maybe, but I & mates had absolutely no problem on Waddington Fell 15 min before the women came through on the WToB a few weeks ago (and the week after the tragedy). Was damp and pretty deserted on the QoM summit though, and the timing had been badly disrupted.

Hoping this is similar on st4, don't want to spend an hour on a rainy hillside, or be stuck on the wrong side of the climb.

 

[rich p]

Is that Lewis Askey's first win?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Is that Lewis Askey's first win?

https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/lewis-askey

Stage 2 of 4 jours de Dunkerque in '25 seems to be most recent one
https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/4-jours-de-dunkerque/2025/stage-2

 

[wakemalcolm]

https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/lewis-askey

Stage 2 of 4 jours de Dunkerque in '25 seems to be most recent one
https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/4-jours-de-dunkerque/2025/stage-2

Had 2 wins in a week during May last year. Not sure if he had mustard or ketchup with the first one, mind.

 

[katiewlx]

Maybe, but I & mates had absolutely no problem on Waddington Fell 15 min before the women came through on the WToB a few weeks ago (and the week after the tragedy). Was damp and pretty deserted on the QoM summit though, and the timing had been badly disrupted.

Hoping this is similar on st4, don't want to spend an hour on a rainy hillside, or be stuck on the wrong side of the climb.

but was that road specifically closed for the WToB ? their stage guide just mentions the standard rolling road blocks as youd normally expect for a tour of Britain race. Like last year I rode alot of the MToB route for stage 1, only start and finish were closed roads, and criss crossed the route aload of times and there were no road blocks that hindered us whatsoever, and at some parts the race was only maybe 10mins off the lead vehicles away from us.

whereas for Stage 4 here theyve mentioned specific fixed road closures and diversions, presumably to stop traffic creating a hazard on some narrow roads or preventing spectators parking where they cant reasonably enforce a noparking requirement. ?

 

[misforturob]

Yeah on stage 4 the section across Greets Moss to YHA Grinton Lodge and then back over the moor has a full road closure 12:30pm to 3:30pm rather than a rolling road closure. Bit annoying as we're staying at the YHA on Saturday but might not quite get there before 12:30! No idea what the road closure will be like in practice. Plan B for us is to park at the Dales Bike Centre, apparently there is going to be additional parking in the adjacent field

 

[Pross]

Pretty sure on The Tumble last year they were allowing people to ride up until just before the advanced cars came through. The only bit you couldn’t ride was the barriered section at the finish where they had to dismount and walk around on the spectator side. I walked up but bikes were coming for a long time after I got there.

 

[ivegotabike]

Superb ride up the Lincoln cobbles by Lewis.

Holding off Ganna and Wellens all the way to the line. Very impressive.

I think the guys in the team car enjoyed it too


View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcyrpiEKL_T

 

[T4tomo]

Superb ride up the Lincoln cobbles by Lewis.

Holding off Ganna and Wellens all the way to the line. Very impressive.

I think the guys in the team car enjoyed it too


View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcyrpiEKL_T

Very impressive ride that.

 

[Alien8]

Bit congested on the cobbled climb at the ToB yesterday.

 

[Norry1]

I plan to go ride yesterday's route in the near future - just one final loop though