Event: 1 June 2014
Be a Tour de France rider in Le Petit Depart on June 1. Skipton Cycling Club and Craven District Council are launching a new annual event for cyclists of all abilities. The unique routes will follow much of the spectacular opening Tour de France stage.
Starting from Skipton Auction Mart, there are two distances to choose from.
The 78 mile route will take more experienced riders over three climbs and along six dales. The route leads through Wharfedale over ‘Cote de Cray’ at Kidstones, the first official climb of the 2014 Tour de France. It continues along the stage one route, before returning to Skipton via the famous Ribblehead viaduct and through scenic Settle and Malhamdale.
The 33 mile route is relatively flat and therefore suitable for less experienced riders. It follows the Grand Depart route up and back down the magnificent Upper Wharfedale valley in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Tour de France Legacy: Official Event
Le Petit Depart is a community event, created and promoted by local riders and proceeds from the event will go to the Skipton Junior Riders to promote youth cycling. It is an official Cycle Yorkshire Legacy event and one of the only events to have approval for use of stage one of the 2014 Tour du France race.
Skipton Cycling Club Chairman Sean Mckibben says: “At Skipton Cycling Club we wanted to celebrate the arrival of the Tour de France in style and we think Le Petit Depart does just that. We're privileged to be working with Craven Council to deliver the event, combining the club's experience of cycling events and knowledge of the local roads the Tour will soon be rolling along with the council's expertise in event planning.”
“The Tour de France legacy starts here”, adds Councillor Simon Myers of Craven District Council. “This sportive will be an annual event and is one of many initiatives to ensure Craven will take its place as a world class destination for cycling and cycling tourism.”
Early bird discount
Enter TODAY to take advantage of the early registration discount. Entry fees are currently £28 for the 78 mile timed event and £10 for the 33 mile ride. From February 7, the fees will go up to £30 and £11 respectively. There will be further price increases on April and May 1. All entries are available online using the British Cycling calendar.
Kids go free!
Kids under 16 (on June 1) can enter the 33 mile ride for free, but must be ride with a parent or guardian. They must have passed their level two Bikeability and be over the age of 12. Entrants for the 78 mile event must be 16 or over on June 1.
Spot Prizes
Over the coming months the event will be offering some special spot prizes worth £500. Follow us on Twitter to find out more. All entrants will automatically be included in the spot prizes.
For more information and to enter, go to www.lepetitgranddepart.co.uk
