Yeah I am, though I haven't made my mind up where to actually watch it from yet.
Last year during the test event, I watched it from the start of The Mall just outside Buckingham Palace, though most of the road is restricted access for ticket holders.
In the morning when the race started it was totally dead with only really a handful of people watching them set off, so you could stand where ever you wanted. By the afternoon it had got very busy, but I think that was also because of the fact it was a gorgeous day and its a major tourist hot spot.
I'd found a place which I thought I was going to get great photos from, so had to get into position there about an hour-something before they made their return, as people were now starting to take up positions to get a view. When they finally did come back it was really busy and while I thought I had a good spot, I'd not taken into account the fact that everybody was just going to raise their cameras above their heads! So I think if I went back to that same spot, I'd probably need to take a step ladder, not sure I can be arsed with that and I bet it won't go down well with security concerns.
The other issue last time was that once they set off, you had hours of hanging about with no way of being able to find out what was happening, as they weren't broadcasting the coverage. I suppose at least this time I might be able to follow it using my phone, if not, 5 Live might be broadcasting it on the radio. I would guess finding some kind of a pub that is showing it along the route would be quite good for that.
I figured Richmond Park might also be a good spot as you get a much longer view of them there and it won't be quite as busy. To get there though I'd likely need to use my bike and I've not heard yet as to whether they will restrict people from using bikes on the route before they start (I'd imagine being the Olympics they might do). I wouldn't want to chain my bike up somewhere in The Mall because there are just too many people, they get crushed!
Here's a few of the shots I took from The Mall:
The Peleton Sets Off by
Taiga Studio, on Flickr
The Sprinters begin their attacks by
Taiga Studio, on Flickr
Mark Cavendish Sprints for the Finish by
Taiga Studio, on Flickr
The other thing that sways me to The Mall is that it is the end of the race and the noise and excitement as they came back and started the sprint was amazing.
The other benefit was that during the wait for them to return, I figured out you could walk along the St. James Park side and stick your camera over the fence of the ticketed area to see the Podium. Which is how I got the shot below. I'm not sure whether that is going to work this time though, because I'd imagine they will have lots of grandstand seating, a proper podium and might not let people get as close to the barriers.
Mark Cavendish by
Taiga Studio, on Flickr
I think perhaps I might have to go down on Friday to see the preparations, as that will give an idea of where you can and can't go. It was busy last time, but given its the Olympics and the tourists, I reckon it will be insane.
.
. Awesome. Can go and get squashed/watch Cav win then.