The wheels are in motion for another spectacular summer of cycling in Hebden Royd after it was announced the Tour de Yorkshire would be coming through the area.
The race, a direct legacy of the 2014 Yorkshire Grand Départ, will take place on May 1, 2 and 3, passing through Hebden Royd during stage three on May 3.
The peloton starts in Wakefield on the final day before eventually reaching picking up the Grand Départ route in reverse, racing to Ripponden and Cragg Vale – which in the Tour de France was the country’s longest continual climb and now becomes the longest continual descent.
The riders will then make their way to Hebden Bridge, Oxenhope and through Haworth before heading for what is expected to be a hugely popular finish line in Roundhay Park in Leeds.
The Mayor of Hebden Royd, Jonathan Timbers said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. I’m sure the community’s response will be fantastic.
“There’s a really strong community in Hebden Royd. each area is quite different - Mytholmroyd, Cragg Vale and Hebden Bridge all have their own response and all have individual identities.
“There was a huge amount of effort that went in last year to celebrate the Tour de France. There’s a particularly interesting arts and volunteer sector in the area and I’m sure they will have an influence on what happens on the day.
“We’ve got on of the longest hills which is a testing route to cycle.
“The views are fantastic and cycling is a part of the way of life for many people in the area.”
Sharon Le Corre, from the Cragg Vale Community Association, which helped plan last year’s Tour de France celebrations in the area, said: “When I heard the details of the Tour de Yorkshire races I was over the moon that Cragg Vale has been chosen once again to be part of a professional cycling race.
“They’ll be coming down it this time which will be tricky as there quite a few bends on the lower half where they’ll be really moving at speed.
“But if it’s anything like last year it will be a great event to watch and will bring the community together again.
“We’re already busy planning for a Summer of Fun and this will be the icing on the cake.”
The Tour will coincide with a local brewery beer and cider festival which has already been planned for that day.
Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said; “Before the Grand Départ had even finished people all across Yorkshire were asking when we can have more cycling!
“The Tour de Yorkshire will bring back many of the world’s top cycling teams and there will be an opportunity for ordinary people to ride the same roads on the same day in the sportive.
“And this is a free event to watch so there is an opportunity for everyone in the county to be part of Tour de Yorkshire in one way or another.”