Thousands go Tour de France crazy at Sky Ride Leeds
The streets were glowing yellow today as 8,500 people took to their bikes at Sky Ride Leeds.
In what’s undoubtedly a huge year for cycling in Yorkshire, residents from near and far joined Olympic Champion Joanna Rowsell and Team Sky’s Ian Boswell for a fun day of traffic-free cycling. Ahead of the Tour de France, riders of all ages and abilities lined The Headrow, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to ride the same stretch of road that the world’s best cyclists will use for the Grand Départ on Saturday 5 July.
Cyclists enjoyed a 6.5km traffic-free loop around the city, taking in everything from the Leeds First Direct Arena, to the University of Leeds, including a brand new festival entertainment area at Woodhouse Moor. Along the route riders were cheered through a special Tour de France zone by a crowd ringing cowbells, where motivational messages were chalked on the road in true alpine style. Over at the Tricks and Tunes area youngsters got a taste of skills training and cycle racing with British Cycling’s Go-Ride programme, while others took their cycling to the extreme on the popular air bag jump.
Dan Goodey, British Cycling Recreation Manager for Yorkshire said: ‘Today has been brilliant, thousands of people have enjoyed a fantastic, fun day of traffic-free cycling around Leeds city centre. With only weeks until the Tour de France Grand Départ starts on the same stretch of road as today’s Sky Ride, it certainly feels like cycling fever has hit Yorkshire in a big way.’
There was a host of free activities and entertainment for people to enjoy both on and off the bike. The Bike Café was on hand providing refreshments to riders grabbing a well-deserved rest, while Halfords cycle experts carried out dozens of bike checks and minor repairs. At Millennium Square, The Hub was abuzz with activity all day, and visitors enjoyed getting a close up look at the bikes used by Team Sky and the Great Britain Cycling Team.
With less than three weeks to go before the Tour de France rolls into Leeds, there are plenty of other ways to get out on your bike locally. Sky Ride Local bike rides are guided by British Cycling trained Ride Leaders, and with three levels to suit all kinds of rider, they’re a brilliant way to see more of your local area on two wheels. Along with Ride Social and Breeze bike rides for women, there are lots of opportunities to keep riding, including four more Sky Ride events in Sheffield (10 August), Hull (17 August), York (14 September) and Bradford (28 September).
Join in the celebration of cycling in Yorkshire this summer and register now for a bike ride near you.
