Giro d'italia - Comes to Belfast

[Ernie_RBR]

Very nice thats Shaftsbury Square Belfast ? .

I completed part of the Giro Stage 3 today that started from Armagh, hosted by Orchard CC of Armagh, with 11 Cat 4 climbs thrown in for good measure especially the Keady Mountain climb and we also passed through Kilmore, Richhill, Hamiltonsbawn, Markethill, Keady, Newtownhamilton, and Bellek and then headed towards Camlough, Bessbrook and Mountnorris before heading back to Armagh - 106km.... All I can say is I'll leave it for the Pro's ... Great day out and thanks to Orchard CC for hosting it them guys looked the part in all there gear and thanks to all Marshall's today cracking job all round ..Thanks

 

[thom]

Pink ribbons at Stranmillis roundabout await the riders:

as do a good few Sinn Fein posters, despite an agreement for political parties not to adorn the street posts on the Giro route with local election material…

Edit: Sadly the weather forecast is looking rather local - rain for both Friday & Saturday.
2nd Edit: the coffee shop where I am sat just put up their pink bunting. Such is the demand for it, this stuff had to be ordered from Galway. What everyone does with this bunting & ribbon next Monday, nobody really knows nor cares just now.

 

[LarryDuff]

Forecast is definitely for good old norn iron weather. Not going to entice too many tourists.

 

[PaddyMcc]

Very nice thats Shaftsbury Square Belfast ?

Great Victoria Street, just down from Shaftsbury Square.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Only posting this to save others from doing it. As a rider in the video, I'm embarrassed that it ended up with the sash being played.


View: http://youtu.be/eu4AfRBK-M4

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

OK then Norn Oirish peeps, where to go etc for food/beer and general soaking up the atmosphere?

 

[thom]

OK then Norn Oirish peeps, where to go etc for food/beer and general soaking up the atmosphere?

To soak up the atmosphere, just stand outside for 5 minutes but mind you bring a dry set of clothes to change afterwards.

 

[Cameronmu917772]

If I leave cupar now. It is 100 miles to Troon to get the ferry. So say around 5/6 hours riding then an hour on the ferry. I would save £100 by cycling rather than flying but I have no whare to stay

 

[thom]

The stage is set for a noisy sound check for tomorrow's team presentation at the City Hall:

Various team cars driving rides around - I think Uran Uran was in the front of the OPQS one I saw.

@Marmion there is a tourist office opposite the front of the city hall selling a bit of Giro tat. For £10 you get a T-shirt, cap, bag and upon purchase you get a map of the centre of town showing a wide collection of hostelries involved in sponsorship where you can redeem said map for a free pint of Harp (premium oirish lager). That's maybe not a bad place to start. I'd recommend visiting the Crown Bar at some point. The Empire on Botanic avenue might have some music later but it is just off the route itself. In the Cathedral quarter are more up-market options. The Titanic museum is definitely within walking distance from town for a fit person if you want to catch the start itself.

 

[Ernie_RBR]

OK then Norn Oirish peeps, where to go etc for food/beer and general soaking up the atmosphere?

You have to visit the crown bar across from the euopra hotel

 

[Ernie_RBR]

The stage is set for a noisy sound check for tomorrow's team presentation at the City Hall:

Various team cars driving rides around - I think Uran Uran was in the front of the OPQS one I saw.

@Marmion there is a tourist office opposite the front of the city hall selling a bit of Giro tat. For £10 you get a T-shirt, cap, bag and upon purchase you get a map of the centre of town showing a wide collection of hostelries involved in sponsorship where you can redeem said map for a free pint of Harp (premium oirish lager). That's maybe not a bad place to start. I'd recommend visiting the Crown Bar at some point. The Empire on Botanic avenue might have some music later but it is just off the route itself. In the Cathedral quarter are more up-market options. The Titanic museum is definitely within walking distance from town for a fit person if you want to catch the start itself.

I'm heading down tomorrow night can't wait

 

[LarryDuff]

Anybody know at what time the first team goes off at on Friday?

 

[thom]

Anybody know at what time the first team goes off at on Friday?

Details here : http://www.girostart2014.com

 

[rich p]

I'm worried that Marmion may corrupt his daughter if he gets pished on Belfast hospitality

 

[rich p]

Incidentally I'm off to Sicily next week but in a classic balls up the Giro isn't going there this year. I could easily have gone to somewhere it was going but I didn't have the wit.