Event infotmation book by Ewan North

Event Information 1-4

Places to visit during the race

17 - 18

Preparing your bike

5-8

Pro Cyclists taking part

19 - 20

Getting there

9 - 16

Maps of the 4 tracks

Visit Framed by stunning countryside and iconic landmarks, the quaint town of Settle is an ideal stop for walkers, outdoor lovers and those looking for peace and quiet.

Picture a bustling cobbled market square, fringed by shops offering local foods, speciality gifts and arts and crafts.

This popular, grey stone village is in a steep, narrow part of the dale, where the old coach road over Park Rash Pass from Middleham and Coverdale joins Wharfedale.

Nestled between two rivers, the magnificent castle of Middleham has the largest castle keep in the North of England and a royal heritage that once earned it the title of the ‘Windsor of the North’.

With spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, unusual local shops and cafés, traditional pubs and a weekly market, Leyburn is an ideal base for walking, sightseeing, or just watching the world go by.

Visit The ‘honeypot’ of Swaledale with breathtaking scenery, home to The Farmers Arms pub, Muker Tea Shop, Swaledale Woolens, Usha Gap Campsite and for Le Tour weekend - the King of the Mountains Festival.

The historic town of Selby is one of Yorkshire’s hidden gems. Why not head off the beaten track and explore the huge and truly breathtaking mediaeval Abbey.

With its handsome historic buildings and verdant gardens, Harrogate is one of Yorkshire’s most elegant destinations.

This is a classic English market town is located at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds, 15 miles from the city of York.

Step into a bustling city where the world’s leading fashion brands brush shoulders with acclaimed art galleries. With so many stunning listed buildings and cultural landmarks to discover, set aside a weekend and drink in all that cosmopolitan Leeds has to offer.

Pros Bradley Wiggins

Mark Cavendish

Chris Froome

Peter Sgan

Cadel Evans

Winner of three Olympic Games Medals in Athens 2004, professional for Team Sky, winner 2012 Tour de France, Gold medal in Individual Time Trial at the 2012 Olympic Games in London

Rides for Omega PharmaQuick Step, Track cycling, Madison, Team pursuit and Points race, Scratch Race Champion and multiple Tour de France stage winner.

Won the bronze medal in the time trial event at the Olympic Games, wins in the Critérium International, the Tour de Romandie, the Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour de France.

Two Paris–Nice stages, two and the overall classification in the Tour de Pologne, a record ten in the Tour of California, as well as the overall classification. four in the Tour de France.

He finished second in the 2007 and 2008 Tours de France. he won the Tour de France in 2011, riding for BMC Racing Team, after two Tours riddled with bad luck.

Pros Geraint Thomas

Richie Porte

Steven Burke

Ed Clancy

Alex Dowsett

A track cycling world champion and Olympic gold medalist in the team pursuit.

Grand Tours, Giro dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Italia Young rider classification (2010) stage races Parisâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nice (2013) Volta ao Algarve (2012).

Great Britain team that won the Olympic and World championships in the Team Pursuit discipline.

Clancy is a four-time world champion (in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2012) and twice European champion (in 2010 and 2011) in team pursuit; he has also won World (2010) and European (2011) titles at Omnium.

2011 National Time Trial Champion, rides for Movistar Team.

Track 1

A short track that twines in and around the picturesc countryside of Leeds and York. This track Suitable for those with slightly more cycling experience. the terrain is flat with a few hills.

Track 2

This track works its way through Leeds and York countyrside, over to Tadcaster and back to the amazing Roundhay Park. The terrains is flat with a few hills and a longer distance to the first Track.

Track 3

This track is the same one taken upon by the Tour De France runners, this route require a good level of fitness and stamina and feature challenging inclines and/or a longer time in the saddle.

Track 4

This track spends a short time on the same route as track 1 and 2 it again requires a good level of fitness and stamina and feature challenging inclines and/or a longer time in the saddle.

Prepare your bike

1 1

Saddle height is the most important consideration in ensuring comfort over the duration of a ride: too low and you’ll wear yourself out quicker and get a lot of knee pain; too high and you’ll be over-extending your leg muscles. To set the height of your saddle correctly, when stationary position the heel of your foot on the pedal with your leg fully extended – this will ensure that when pedaling you’ll always have a slight bend in your knee at the furthest extension. (You should be on tiptoes when seated stationary in the saddle.)

2 Tyres should be correctly

4 Your gears should be set

3 The chain should be

5 Brake cables should be in

inflated and the tread not worn or bald. Also, knobbly mountain tyres on road surfaces creates more rolling resistance – fitting road or intermediate tyres will make riding easier. clean and lubricated (but not over-greased) and definitely not rusty.

up so that you can change gear smoothly without the chain slipping or jumping off the cogs of the cassette (on the back wheel) or chainset (where the pedals are).

good condition and moving smoothly through the cablesheaths. The brake-shoes should neither be worn nor rubbing on the rim of the wheel as it turns.

6 The correct handlebar

height is also important in ensuring your comfort over an extended period and preventing both lower back and neck pain. Setting the correct position depends on the type of bike and personal preference, back flexibility, and arm length. Don’t be afraid to try different positions to find what’s best for you, but as a rule of thumb: - For hybrid and mountain bikes a more upright position is best, with the handlebars positioned above the level of the saddle (e.g. 2” – 4”).

Road (‘racing’) bikes are generally set up with their handlebars positioned a standard 2” below the saddle but may be anything up to 4” below the saddle. However there has been a recent move toward setting the handlebar level with the saddle, which is more comfortable for most riders.

Getting Here

Track 1

Track 3

Leeds

Roundhay Park

A58

M621

Harrgoate Rd

A660

A64

A58

A6120