The 2009 Tour of Britain will end its first stage in the City of York on Saturday, 12th September.
York previously held a finish in 1998, so is no stranger to the Tour.
Keen cyclists and cycling fans will be happy to descend on the City of York on Saturday afternoon, as York is one of only 12 cities in the United Kingdom that has a ‘Cycling City Status’ – other holders include Brighton, Cambridge and Chester – awarded to cities who actively promote fitness and well-being through cycling, as well as constructing a proper infrastructure of cylepaths and lanes to make for a healthy alternative to using the car.
Improvements have been made in recent times to York’s cycle lane network, both on- and off- road, making a tour of the City easily done by bicycle.
Tour of Britain Stage One
The Yorkshire and Humber stage of the race covers 172 kilometres in about four hours.
Starting in Scunthorpe at 10:15, the first stage of the 2009 Tour of Britain is a somewhat gentle beginning to the eight-stage event, which eventually takes the riders almost 1200 miles around Britain.
The flat roads of this Saturday’s stage will make for some good racing, with three seperate sprint points at Forest Pines, Pocklington and Wetwang.
The professional competitors completing the course are expected to cross the finishing line at around 14:15, on Malton Road in York.
Monk Stray
A family fun day of activities and events is being held at Monk Stray in York to tie in with the Tour of Britain ending its opening stage in the City of York.
All ages young and old are invited to participate in the free day out
You will find cycling stands from local York cycling organisations as well as local sports retailers.
Cycling themed activities include organised cycle rides and cycling maintenance workshops, as well as fancy dress (for everybody) and fancy wheels (for everybody’s bicycle!) competitions.
There will also be bouncy castles and wall climbing, as well as other play equipment, and a samba band will be playing at 13:00 and 14:00!
The Monk Stray activities and events run from 10:00 to 17:00.
How to get to Monk Stray
By Car: Parking will be available on the Stray, access on Stockton Lane, Woodlands Grove into Straylands Grove.
By Bus: Buses from York city centre run frequently to Monk Stray, look for services to Monk Stray (Elm Park) or to Stockton Lane.
By Bicycle: Secure parking will be available for cyclists on Monk Stray on the day, donations to Help for Heroes will be gratefully received.
Road Closures in York 12 September
From 5:00 (am) until 19:00, the following roads will be closed:
MALTON ROAD: from Heworth/Stockton Lane roundabout to the entrance to Muncastergate
STRAYLANDS GROVE: between Malton Road and Elmfield Terrace
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