The Tour de France comes to London
This year, for the first time ever, London hosts the start of the world's most famous cycle race, the Tour de France. The programme is as follows:
Saturday 7 July 2007: 'The Prologue'
This is a time trial race in the centre of London. Starting near the Houses of Parliament in Whitehall, the riders will pass Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, into Hyde Park, finishing in The Mall alongside St. James's Park. Expect to see the winner complete this 8 km (5 miles) course in around 8 minutes.
Ride the Prologue on a Go Pedal Bike
Fancy giving it a try yourself? As the French say 'A chacun son Tour' - so why not get on a Go Pedal bike and ride the Prologue course? If you'd like to explore the advantages of using a comfortable Go Pedal bike, rather than a mean, lean racing machine, click here.
Unless you're confident riding on busy roads, we recommend you pick the route up at Buckingham Palace (as the Whitehall/Parliament Square/Victoria Street/Buckingham Gate section will not be closed to traffic for you). And use the pedestrian/cyclists shared crossing on Hyde Park Corner. But, there again, you won't be in such a hurry, will you? Take in the sights: admire the Albert Memorial at the Western extremity of the course; have a coffee by the side of the Serpentine; chill out - there's no Yellow Jersey for you (unless you want to borrow one of our High Viz vests..)
Sunday 8 July 2007: Stage 1
The first full stage of the Tour will start on The Mall, head across Westminster Bridge to the Southbank, then cross the Thames again over Blackfriars Bridge, passing St Paul's Cathedral, the Mansion House, the Tower of London, then over Tower Bridge into Greenwich. Leaving London, the riders will pass into Kent and, 203km (126 miles) later, the Stage will finish at Canterbury.
All text and images on this website (except where stated) copyright Simon Ford, trading as Go Pedal! © 2008