The upper Calder Valley’s preparations for the Tour de France 2014 are moving into top gear with the launch of “one year to go” celebrations.
Events are taking place throughout the area over the coming weeks and community groups are encouraging people to get involved ahead of the arrival of one of the world’s most famous sporting occasions.
On Sunday, June 23, Cornholme and Portsmouth Old Library will launch the Bicycle Wheel of the Year by holding a “sun party”, a summer children’s event from 1pm.
Representatives from Dirt-Trax Ltd will provide basic bike maintenance training and will also donate two bicycle wheels for everyone to decorate as symbols of the sun and the coming Tour de France.
Adults will have an opportunity to record their quirky stories about the local area for the Tour de France’s “Yellow Booklet” - a book for international journalists with local facts which is in the process of being put together by Welcome to Yorkshire.
The following weekend, attention will turn to Cragg Vale as keen cyclists ride the route of next year’s Tour.
On Saturday, June 29 - the day the 2013 Tour begins in Corsica - serious cyclists can join a 100km bike ride from the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, to Cragg Vale, covering stage two of the 2014 route in reverse and finishing at the Robin Hood pub.
Riders can join for all or part of the route.
For those who prefer a shorter route, a 45km “Round Robin” off-road ride is planned for Sunday, June 30, from the Robin Hood pub in Cragg Vale to its namesake at Pecket Well, both on the official 2014 Tour route.
Walkers will have a chance to get involved on Sunday, July 7, when a “Round Robin” walk – and bus ride – linking the two pubs is planned, with walkers being encouraged to strut their stuff in fancy dress with a strictly French theme.
Judith Schofield, one of the walk’s organisers, said: “We want everyone to enjoy the run-up to next year’s Tour and the walk means that non-cyclists can celebrate by joining us anywhere on the route.
“And they can add their own French touch by wearing anything from a beret or a string of onions to full French fancy dress. Those who prefer their normal walking gear will be just as welcome.”
The start time from the Robin Hood in Cragg Vale is 11am and other pubs along the way will also welcome walkers.
For more information about the walk, call Judith on 01422 885173 or Vernon on 07580 533330.
Cyclists for either route must register by emailing Craggvale2014@gmail.com or collecting a form from the Robin Hood pub in Cragg Vale.