Tour of Britain Cyle Race - Stage 5 Northampton

Very much looking to the Tour of Britain Cycle Race coming through Northampton today. First things first though there is a 'Mens Breakfast at Walgrave Church to negotiate. A fine one it was too, with an interesting talk from The Kettering Street Pastors. Several others were also going to watch the cycling too. A plan to walk across the fields with a Pub stop was soon hatched.Our walk actually started from the village of Old. Leaving Walgrave at just after 12 pm We set off from the Royal Oak Walgrave picking up the footpath to Hannington. Rather than take the road from Hannington we cut through the Deer Farm. Set in 300 acres of countryside it has an award winning Manor House at its  centre. Plenty of Deers around too in the far distance. We continue on our way to the village of Holcot where we shall watch the cycle race. There is time to kill first though.Perfect for a pint in the White Swan.

Conveniently the Pub had the race on the big TV screen so we knew exactly where the leaders were.

The race started from the University of Northampton close to the Town Centre. The route goes out to Daventry through Abthorpe ,Wappenham, Helmdon, Culworth, Byfield and Hellidon.The route then loops back around Northampton via Watford Village, West Haddon, Naseby, Kelmarsh and Brixworth. There are a couple of ''King of the Mountain' stages too at Newnham Hill and Bulls Hill.  

Leaving the comfort of the pub we wander up towards the causeway at Pitsford. Quite a good viewing point as this is where the intermediate sprint will take place. It is already very busy, a popular spot. Plenty of activity too as Police Motorbikes and shoot through. Then come the team sponsor cars with their spare bikes. You have to be a bit careful as well, I had a narrow miss with a motorcycle... 

The atmosphere is superb though, we have fancy dress and cow bells as the excitement mounts. A total of 91 miles (147 km) in total to be completed by the riders today. The leaders come into view across the causeway. Somewhere I've pedalled across many a time , although not quite the same speed these are going! Very impressive it is too.  

As quick as a flash and all very sudden the riders pass through on their way to Sywell and Ecton. Some top competitors taking part including Double Olympic Champion Remco Evenepoel. First across the finishing line in the Guildhall was the French Rider Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick Step Team). This was his third stage victory .

It has been quite a spectacle, something really good for the County. We make our way back to our starting point at 'Old' via the Pitsford Reservoir Nature Reserve. In total 9.91 miles walked.