Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men 2024: Blog Series

Laura Nisbet is the founding member of Kelso Breeze Group and attended this year’s Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men at Stage 1 in Kelso.

Having been involved with the race in different capacities previously, including leading a ride through in 2019 at Kelso, Laura was excited to be involved once again this year at her local stage.

Her highlights from the day centred around the buzzing atmosphere that the kick-off stage had created, including different cyclists from the borders all coming together in the name of the race, such as the presence of the local cycling club, Kelso Wheelers. The sheer excitement felt by school children who gathered at the start and finish added to the community spirit felt throughout the stage. Attendees were able to witness the unique experience of seeing the race three times: the start, a mid-race sprint through the town centre, and of course the finish. Laura had also personally contributed to supplying local routes which featured on the official OS map for the stage, which were given out during the day and were of great interest.

Situated at a Breeze gazebo which had been locally funded, Laura spent the day promoting the programme which resulted in 12 sign ups, some of which have already been on their first Breeze ride following the event. The gazebo was also located close to the podium, meaning Laura was able to enjoy the ceremony whereby Callum Thornley and Oscar Onley became the first Scottish cyclists since Pippa York (neé Robert Millar) to claim a jersey at the Tour of Britain since 1990. The two riders are both from areas local to Kelso with Laura’s club having previously had them at various coaching sessions. Naturally this meant she was cheering the two of them on, and was delighted with the records they both managed to break.

When asked about how the event inspired Laura, she commented on the momentum compounded from the day itself and the further impact this has already had on her cycling club. “There’s a renewed motivation to just keep riding and to continue putting on rides for others, letting them know we can be accommodating depending on their needs for a ride”, she says. She is keen to utilise this momentum to help riders feel connected via the local private Facebook group, by providing updates and notifying them of news plenty of time before rides. The local strap line used throughout the borders is “all about the coffee stops”, which Laura says has re-emphasised how important it is for people to know in terms of staying motivated during rides!

“I came away from the day on an absolute high from the great atmosphere, which was even longer-lived on my Breeze ride straight after the stage! It just makes you want to get back on your bike!”. Laura feels inspired by the experience and “couldn’t get over the speeds” of the riders that she witnessed at the stage. “It’s re-emphasised how much Breeze has changed my life and the incredible friendships I have formed and can thank the programme for”.

When asked what advice she’d give to people who haven’t yet been to a Tour of Britain event, Laura said “Just Go! The buzz is unmatched”. She also encourages people to get in touch with their local cycle group to be involved with any activities they might be running at the start/finish of the race regardless of cycling ability.