The Tour of England – Uckfield awaits

By Saturday the 13th of September, 2014, Uckfield had been eagerly awaiting the Tour of Britain, for some months.  The bunting was up and shops had dressed windows and decorated railings in glorious reds, whites and blues. These visiting colours echoed the town’s mellow red brick, creamy paint and September’s cobalt sky.

Bicycle decorating the railings, just outside Pipedreams.

I hadn’t taken much notice of it and just happened to book my hair appointment for twelve thirty, just before the race was due to go through the town. I was waiting for my colour to be mixed when spectators started to arrive. I sidled out – just to have a quick look at the gathering crowd – and the hairdressers and assistants joined me.

To start with, there was just a straggle of people. The children were more interested in chasing each other than any sporting event. The crowd gave a pair of ordinary cyclists a slightly ironic cheer. I recognised a marshal, Emma, who was keeping a watchful eye on the crowds from the island in the middle of Church Street.

As I waited, I idly examined the cluster of buildings around the crossroads. The Cinque Ports is directly opposite the hairdressers. The plastic bunting flapping round the edge of the roof seemed to emphasise its age. Across narrow Hempstead Road, Barclays and the pizza shop are housed in a pile of fidgety Victorian details. Looking up the High Street, just beyond the people jostling for a view, I can see a spectator who has taken advantage of a high window above the estate agent’s elegant façade.

Spare bicycles, glimpsed between the crowds.

Official cars and motorcycles started to whip through.  Police went by in flashes of acid yellow followed by hot orange motorcycles. As the crowd and excitement built, every vehicle was applauded. Cars with spare bicycles came and went.  Smart phones held at arm’s length snapped everything to do with the race.  I scampered up the flower shop’s steps, not caring that I looked ridiculous in my hairdressers robe. Others stood on ladders and chairs from their shops and fathers put excited children on their shoulders.

As the big moment approached, the High Street was closed and the crowd, who had waited so patiently by the bank, surged forward. The yellows and oranges flashed by quicker and quicker, sounding horns and sirens as they went. By now the anticipation was almost unbearable. Heads snapped to attention and cameras were raised for every movement. The sound of a helicopter overhead could only mean one thing. The rotors seemed to say, “They’re coming, they’re coming.” With glimpses of helmets and Lycra seen between bobbing heads, Wiggo and the others were here - and then, they were gone.

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Photos and videos of the race

• Uckfield FM: Tour of Britain Highlights - with pictures by local photographers, a map showing route and an interesting graph of the profile
• Uckfield News: Tour of Britain races through Uckfield - which captures the delight of townspeople
• Gavin Rainbow's video (main pack goes through at just after 2 mins)
• OneDad3Girls photo - one picture and it's a good one
• If you are a member of the Memories of Uckfield Facebook group, you should be able to see, and add to, the Stage 7 of Tour of Britain through Uckfield and surrounding areas album.