LE TOUR DE STAVELEY 2010
A non-competitive road sportive for all abilities
Saturday 17 July 2010
Organised and promoted by:
WHEELBASE.co.uk/Cannondale/Gore Bike Wear
Photo Gallery - Sports Sunday
Photo Gallery 2 - Cycle Sport
Photo Gallery 3 - Fursdon Photography
In celebration of the worlds toughest cycle race 'Le Tour de France' this weekend the UK's largest cycle store WHEELBASE, based in Staveley, held it's annual 'Le Tour de Staveley', a non-competitive road sportive for all abilities.
At 3pm Saturday 17 July 2010 a sell-out field of 300 riders rolled out from WHEELBASE in the Staveley Mill Yard to tackle a choice of a 48 mile 'lumpy route' or a slightly milder 28 mile shorter option. The heavy downpours and drenched roads did not deter any riders with only 20 no-shows.
A capacity field of 300 riders gather for a rather damp start. Photo: Dave Macfarlane
Now in it's fifth year the organisers of this fantastic non-competitive road bike sportive decided to ramp up the difficulty of the event at the request of participants from last year!
On paper the course looked like a straightforward 48 mile run through the rolling lanes of South Lakeland but a number of strategically placed leg burning climbs whittled the field down, and tested each riders physic.
The peloton first spun through the hamlets of Underbarrow, Brigsteer and shot off down pan-flat Lyth Valley in one long chain towards the first major 20% climb of Tow Top were spectators had gathered too watch the riders tackle the steep, technical bends with Stuart Reid of the HerbaLife/WHEELBASE team breaking way and tacking the honours as first rider over the top.
Riders stream down the pan-flat Lyth Valley. Photo: Dave Macfarlane
It was then on over Cartmel Fell and up Bigland Hill before tacking the new 'Tour of Rusland' addition with it's stunning views up over the Lakeland Fells.
The riders efforts were rewarded with amazing views across Lakeland. Photo: Dave Macfarlane
The final major test on the long course was the 'Bianca Strada' (white road) gravel climb of Chapel House Wood, Newby Bridge with dramatic views over Lake Windermere.
Tackling the infamous Biancha Strada. Photo: Dave Macfarlane
As this was definitely a non-competitive event the obligatory refreshment stop was at the Masons Arms, Stawberry Bank where staff and the WHEELBASE.co.uk hospitality crew greeted riders with a welcome drink after a hard afternoon sweating it out on the climbs.
A welcome rest in the last third of the course at the Masons Arms, Strawberry Bank Photo: Dave Macfarlane
The re-grouped riders then ambled back through Winster up a short but deceptively tough climb past Knipe Tarn en-route 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.
Riders are also given the opportunity to ride the same 'dream' bikes that the pro riders in the real 'Tour de France' are using with the event is supported by Italian road bike manufacturer Wilier, sponsor of Team Lampre, the beautiful and super-expensive Pinarello Dogma of Team Sky and Cannondale from the USA, sponsor of Team Liquigas.
"Seeing the riders stream in a long line down the Lyth Valley is a wonderful sight. It is the second year that our event has sold out and it is a true testament to increasing popularity of cycling - and that cycling really is for everybody. We'll be back again next year with more surprises and hopefully a little less rain." Toby Dalton, Director, WHEELBASE LAKELAND Limited
We would like to sincerely thanks everyone who helped make Le Tour de Staveley another resounding success, including all the marshals, Adventure Challenge Solutions, Sedbergh Lifeline, the Masons Arms Strawberry Bank, Wilfs Café, Hawkshead Brewery, Cumbria Constabulary, and the Team here at WHEELBASE.
Route map for both the long and short courses of Le Tour de Staveley 2010
