ed
30 August 2018
When most people think of cycling and Yorkshire, fond memories of the Hovis Bread TV advert are evoked. However, times have changed, and Yorkshire is now known for more than its sleepy villages.
So swap the soothing notes of Dvorak’s New World Symphony for something upbeat like Kraftwerk’s Tour de France as the Yorkshire region is home to arguably the best-known cycle race in the UK: the Tour de Yorkshire.
Inspired by the 2014 Tour de France’s visit to the region – this wonderfully gruelling and challenging legacy tournament is on course to become a legendary annual sporting event in its own right. The first meeting was in 2015 and since its inception, the Tour de Yorkshire has gone on to become one of the best-loved road races in the UK. Attracting upwards of two million spectators - a huge percentage of which have travelled to the region specially to see the race - this is a great cultural and sporting experience for all.
The race traditionally takes place at the beginning of May, around the bank holiday, and has four stages - one per day. Each year there has been a different route plotted for the participant cyclists, yet the journey always takes cyclists past classic Yorkshire landscapes and well-known landmarks.
For instance, in 2018 the four stages were:
Stage 1 - Between Doncaster and Hull
Stage 2 - Between Ilkley and Barnsley
Stage 3 - Between Richmond and Scarborough
Stage 4 - Between Halifax and Leeds
Visit the Tour de Yorkshire site for more background information on the event, whether you are looking to compete in the race or simply watch the inspiring sights of groups whizzing by.
We have many properties across Harrogate . Due to its central location in Yorkshire, Harrogate is a great base from which to follow the race in person. As it’s near to the handy A1, with proper planning you could probably stay close to the action during your stay.
Why not consider a break in our bijou accommodation at the centre of Harrogate, St Mary’s Apartment, perfect for a couple’s break?
We have some excellent holiday cottages within our collection, from chic town-centre apartments to rural cottages and suburban home-from-homes. Plenty of our cottages have storage space for bikes too, so why not visit our inspiring collection when planning your break to see the Tour de Yorkshire?
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.