LE TOUR DE STAVELY 2011
The non-competitive road sportive for all abilities
3pm Saturday 09 July 2011
Photo Galleries:
Photo Gallery 1: Sports Sunday - view & buy!
Photo Gallery 2: courtesy of Rick Robson
Photo Gallery 3: courtesy of Dave Powell
Photo Gallery 4: courtesy of Billy Reid
In celebration of the worlds toughest cycle race 'Le Tour de France' this weekend the UK's largest cycle store WHEELBASE.co.uk, based in Staveley, held it's annual 'Le Tour de Staveley', a non-competitive road sportive for all abilities.
At 3pm Saturday 09 July 2011 another sell-out field of 300 avid road cyclists rolled out from WHEELBASE in glorious sunshine to tackle a choice of a 48-mile 'lumpy route' or a slightly milder 28- mile shorter option.
The lead group enjoy perfect riding conditions on Le Tour de Staveley 2011. Photo: Rick Robson.
Now in it's sixth year the organisers of this fantastic non-competitive road bike sportive made some subtle changes to the route, removing a few climbs and adding in some wonderful flowing sections through Colton and Rusland.
Riders stream down the pan-flat Lyth Valley in the glorious afternoon sunshine. Photo: Rick Robson.
On paper the course looked like a straightforward 48-mile pedal through the rolling lanes of South Lakeland but a number of strategically placed leg burning climbs like the 20% Tow Top above High Newton and Bigland Hill from Cartmel whittled the field down, and tested every rider.
The peloton, lead by the riders from local team HerbaLife/WHEELBASE, spun through the hamlets of Underbarrow, Brigsteer and shot down the pan-flat Lyth Valley road in a long line, with every rider trying to shelter from the strong winds. It was then on over Cartmel Fell and up Bigland Hill before tacking the revised 'Tour of Rusland' with it's stunning views up over the Lakeland Fells.
What you going to chose? Tarmac or Gravel? Le Tour de Staveley 2011. Photo: Rick Robson.
The final major test on the long course was the 'Bianca Strada' (white road) gravel climb of Chapel House Wood, above Newby Bridge with dramatic views over Lake Windermere and only 4 riders succumbing to punctures.
Riders from HerbaLife/WHEELBASE.co.uk lead up the Biance Strada, through Chapel House Wood. Photo: Rick Robson.
As this was definitely a non-competitive event the obligatory refreshment stop was at the Hare & Hounds, Bowland Bridge where the staff and WHEELBASE.co.uk hospitality crew greeted riders with a welcome cold drink after a hard afternoon sweating it out on the climbs.
The ever popular refreshment stop at the Hare & Hounds, Bowland Bridge. Photo: Rick Robson.
The re-grouped riders then ambled back through Crosthwaite to the finish back at WHEELBASE in Staveley and a two course French themed meal at Wilf's Café. Drinks were also available at Hawkshead Brewery and riders could sit down and rest weary legs in front of a big screen showing the days action in the real Tour de France.
Doug Mitchell, WHEELBASE.co.uk leads the riders out on the homeward run through Bowland Bridge and Crosthwaite. Photo: Rick Robson.
"Seeing the riders stream down the Lyth Valley in a long line is a wonderful sight each year, along with all the spectators on route in their bright yellow ‘Le Tour de Staveley’ t-shirts! It is the third year that our event has sold out and it is a true testament to increasing popularity of cycling in our area - and that cycling really is for everybody." Toby Dalton, Director, WHEELBASE LAKELAND Limited
We would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped make Le Tour de Staveley 2011 a resounding success, including;
• All the marshals
• Adventure Challenge Solutions
• Cumbria Constabulary
• North West Ambulance Service
• Hare & Hounds, Bowland Bridge
• Wilfs Café
• Hawkshead Brewery
...and the team here at WHEELBASE.co.uk
