Following the Tour de France Grand Départ, the event is being delivered by Harrogate Borough Council, in association with Pennine Events to celebrate the anniversary of the world class cycling spectacle with a weekend of cycle related and family activities that will aim to inspire the people of Harrogate and the wider district.
Over 820 people have registered so far to take part in the free Ride the Route element of the event on Saturday 20th June. This unique opportunity gives riders of all abilities the opportunity to ride the technical, closed circuit route in Harrogate town centre before the professional cyclists such as Adam Blythe and Sam Bewley from team ORICA-GreenEDGE tackle 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.
The three Sunday Rides on the 21st June, covering distances of 53, 30 and 12 miles are full, which underlines the public’s thirst for participation in cycling events that are designed for all abilities.
Commenting on growing interest in the event, Harrogate Borough Council Leader, Councillor Richard Cooper said:
We’re thrilled at how well this event has been received by everyone.
We know how much excitement the Tour de France generated in the town and the region, and whilst this event is on a much smaller scale, Harrogate residents and the wider district really have embraced it.
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, opening on Friday from 4pm it 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 which will show a film on Friday night and feature all the Criterium race action on Saturday night.
The Harrogate Big Bike Bash takes place this weekend 19-21 June 2015.
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 2015. These include West Park Road, Montpellier Hill, Montpellier Road, Crescent Road and Parliament Street.
