Cyclists heading to watch the Tour de France in Yorkshire have the chance to ride sections of the route on the wheel of one of the country’s best loved cyclists and local lass, Lizzie Armitstead.
The Olympic silver medal-winning rider will lead selected rides, which are organised by the Dare2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling, when the Tour de France arrives in Yorkshire on 5 to 6 July.
The Armitstead-led rides also have been granted rare access to roads around the stages over the two race days, meaning participants will be able to ride out and watch the pros in special vantage points. Many roads will be closed to public traffic over the Grand Depart weekend.
Otley-born Armitstead, who rides for Boels-Dolmans, said: “Yorkshire's my home county, and the roads around Harewood House are some of my favourite to ride when I'm here, so going on a ride with the Yorkshire Festival of Cycling will be a bit like taking a big group of cycling fans on one of my training routes.”
Two route options are being offered: 27 and 37 miles at gentle, medium and fast paces. The 25-year-old added she’d be taking it easy to enjoy the festival atmosphere and to chat to fellow riders.
The Neu-Glas sponsored rides will cost £25 and will starts at the Dare2B Festival of Cycling venue: Harewood House, near Leeds.
Visit www.festivalofcycling.org for more information.
