With less than three weeks to go until the first Harrogate Borough Council’s Big Bike Bash weekend, further details of the route and road closures has been released.
Organisers say that 600 people have already registered to take part in the free Ride the Route element of the event on Saturday 20 June. This gives an opportunity to give riders of all levels and experience the opportunity to ride the technical, closed circuit route in Harrogate town centre before the professional cyclists and enjoy the thrill of tackling the uphill sprint along Parliament Street towards the finish on West Park, beside Harrogate’s famous Stray and in the same place where Marcel Kittel was victorious last June on Tour de France Stage One.
Organisers also say that the free Sunday rides on the 21 June 2015 have attracted considerable attention from serious cyclists and those who like to cycle at a more steady, leisurely pace.
The 53 mile Harrogate Beast which tackles a circular route taking in Askwith, Fewston, Glasshouses, Fountains Abbey and Ripley and the 30 mile Stray Beast which passes through Beckwithshaw, North Rigton, Leathley, Askwith and Fewston are both full whilst the more gentile 12 mile Stray Pedal to Ripley and back is 58% full.
Commenting on growing interest in the event, Harrogate Borough Council Leader, Councillor Richard Cooper said:
The Harrogate Big Bike Bash is shaping up to be a fantastic event for residents and visitors to our beautiful town.
It’s very encouraging that so many have signed up to be part of it, and with three weeks to go we expect numbers will grown significantly over the coming weeks.
The event has been created to engage with everyone of all ages, whether they’re interested in cycling or not.
The event village will be a real focal point throughout the weekend and will feature entertainment from local performers, a BMX stunt display, circus skills workshop, street performers, local food and drink suppliers and other businesses, as well as a big screen to watch all the Criterium race action on Saturday night.
To allow for set up for the afternoon and evening races, a number of roads will be closed from midday until midnight on Saturday 20 June 2105. These include West Park Road, Montpellier Hill, Montpellier Road, Crescent Road and Parliament Street.
Parking restrictions will also be in place on diversion routes to allow for the safe passing of buses.
For further information about the Harrogate Big Bike Bash follow regular Twitter updates @HarrogateBBBash or via www.facebook.com/harrogatebigbikebash
Surely the Stray Pedal event is not restricted to gentiles – a v. nasty possibility of racial/religious intolerance here.