The Tour of Britain

Gearing up for a weekend celebration of cycling

TAMESIDE is gearing up for a bumper weekend of cycling with the Tour of Britain coming to the borough this Saturday (14 Sept) and Tameside Bicycle Festival on Sunday (15 Sept).

The eighth and final stage of the Tour of Britain will enter the borough at Werneth Low – which has been crowned a King of the Mountain climb in the event – before heading through Gee Cross, Hattersley, Mottram, Stalybridge and Mossley between approximately midday and 1pm.

The cycle race, which is being supported by Tameside Council, will be broadcast live on ITV4 and is a great opportunity to showcase the borough to a national and international audience while celebrating local opportunities for cycling.

Schools, businesses, community groups, sports clubs and residents are planning to give the riders a warm welcome by decorating the route with painted bicycles, bunting and art displays.

People are encouraged to come along on the day to cheer on the riders and wave to the TV cameras, while enjoying spectator entertainment and activities in the various community zones along the route. Many local businesses are also opening for extended hours and offering special deals on food and drink for people watching.

The council has worked with Stalybridge Celtic and Brother UK to create a spectacular piece of land art – which will hopefully be captured by ITV4’s helicopter film crew - at Celtic’s ground to celebrate the race. Pupils at Millbrook Primary School will also be performing live human land art as the riders pass.

Professional artists have worked with St Raphael’s, St Paul’s and Millbrook primary schools to create colourful roadside displays to decorate the route. And residents at Oakwood Care Home have created woven bike wheels for the day. There will also be displays of over 50 painted bikes as well as decorated bike wheels along the route.

The day after the Tour of Britain hits town, Stalybridge will host Tameside Bicycle Festival.  The festival will take place between 11am and 3pm on Sunday 15 September in Armentieres Square.  Everyone’s welcome to take part in free family-friendly activities including cycling skills, an obstacle course and arts and crafts.

Local cycling volunteer and instructor Phil Allen will also be leading a free guided bike ride from Staylrbidge Town Centre before the event. For further details and to book on see https://www.letsride.co.uk/rides/the-tame-valley#.XXGCZk9HDqc.twitter

Tameside Council Executive Member Cllr Leanne Feeley, who is responsible for culture, said: “This is going to be a really exciting weekend of cycling and community celebration in Tameside – I’m so pleased and proud of how people of all ages have got involved to showcase what a fantastic community spirit we have in Tameside.

“We want everyone to join us in giving the Tour of Britain a warm welcome on Saturday - this is a brilliant opportunity for a family afternoon out and for businesses and groups to promote their work while also helping to highlight Tameside on a global stage.

“The fun doesn’t end there - we hope lots of people will feel inspired to come along to the bicycle festival in Stalybridge the next day. Bring your bikes or just yourself – cycling is an enjoyable healthy and sustainable means of travel and leisure and there will be lots of free activities to inspire you.”

Tour of Britain Useful Information

Good Places to Watch

There are a range of great places to watch the Tour come through Tameside.  We’ve provided a selection of the prime spots where you can get a great view of the riders and enjoy activities like cycle coaching.

• Werneth Low - The Queen’s Trees, Corner of Cowlishaw and Werneth Low Road, SK14 3AD
• Gee Cross- Opposite Tesco Express, 228 Stockport Rd, Gee Cross, Hyde SK14 5RF
• Hattersley – Verge of Stockport Road, between Beaufort Lane and Ashworth Lane. Hattersley Brass band will be providing musical entertainment outside Hattersley Hub.
• Mottram - Hope Christian Centre (was Mottram Evangelical Church), Stalybridge Road, Mottram, SK14 6NF Family friendly activities, refreshments and a live screening of the event. (10:45 – 15:00)
• Stalybridge - Corner of Mottram Road and Huddersfield Road (grassy area), SK15 2EA
• Stalybridge - Grassy area between All Tyres and Canal Carpark: Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, SK15 2QE
• Copley - Active Copley, Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge SK15 3ET - Cycling activities with Active Tameside’s resident Cycle Coach (11:30 – 13:30)

Timings

The Tour of Britain will pass through Tameside around mid-day on Saturday 14 September 2019.  The race is due to reach the Queen’s Trees at Werneth Low Road at around 12.10pm, Stalybridge at 12.20pm, Millbrook Village at 12.28pm and leave Tameside via Greenfield at 12.35pm (all times are approximate).

Practical and Safety Information

For safety reasons, roadside parking along the route will be suspended from 8am on Saturday 14 September.  Roadside parking will be reinstated as soon as the race has passed through the area.

If you’re coming to watch the race pass through, keep in mind that Tameside is inspiring a smoke-free generation.  Please refrain from smoking at the event or in front of children and young people to make sure the event is enjoyable for all.

There will be temporary rolling road closures along the route on Saturday 14 September to allow the race to pass through.  Roads are expected to be closed for no longer than 20 minutes.  Motorists are asked to please avoid the area while the race passes through.  If you are travelling to watch the race, we advise you to arrive at your chosen vantage point in good time before the race passes through.
 
You can find more about the race route and other useful information on the Tour of Britain website: https://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage-eight/
 
Find out more about cycling in Tameside: https://www.tameside.gov.uk/cycling