Cycling:Lakeland's homage to a classic... (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Cycling:Lakeland's homage to a classic...

8:58am Friday 1st August 2008 in

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IN CELEBRATION of 'Le Tour de France', the UK's largest cycle store WHEELBASE.co.uk held its annual 'Le Tour de Staveley', a non-competitive road sportive for all abilities.

A capacity field of 180 riders started from the Mill Yard in Staveley in three staggered starts to tackle a choice of either a 55km ‘tough’ course or a more gentle 30km short course.

Both routes took in the rolling countryside of Underbarrow and Brigsteer, with the peloton on the long course then spinning off down pan-flat Lyth Valley towards Grange before tackling the 'sting-in-tail' of a 1.5mile drag up the infamous Gummers Howe with amazing views over Windermere.

The riders then reassembled at The Punch Bowl Inn, Crosthwaite before ambling back through Crook en-route to Staveley for a French theme meal courtesy of Wlfs Café and organic French wines from the yards latest addition Organico.

Riders were also given the opportunity to ride the same 'dream' bikes that the pro riders in the real 'Tour de France' courtesy of Italian road bike manufacturer Wilier, along with Cannondale and Litespeed from the USA.

There was another professional touch with sports massage available from Graham Theabold of Body Rehab, again another new addition to the ever expanding Mill Yard in Staveley.