Le Tour and More

Probably one of the biggest events in the cycling calendar is coming to these parts. The first stage of the Tour de France is skirting our border on July 5th & 6th 2014. Shortly after the Tour is an exciting street cycle race in Pendle, the Colne Grand Prix, which features many of the country’s top cyclists. Brian Cookson, OBE, President of the UCI, said: “Pendle certainly has some challenging hills for road and mountain bikers, but it also has some great flat roads and cycle paths for the less energetic, like the Pendle Cycle Way along the canal. I like to ride the route of the 2010 National Championships, through Barley and over Pendleside then down to Blacko and back through Roughlee.

The Colne Grand Prix is one of the best places to see Britain’s top cyclists.”

The Colne Grand Prix takes place on Wednesday the 16th July, the first race begins at 7pm. Come and experience the thrills and spills of street racing as Olympic and world champions battle it out in Colne town centre.

The Cycling Capital

Lancashire is arguably the ‘cycling capital’ of England – with many miles of quiet roads and tracks passing through beautiful countryside. It is home to Tour de France champion Sir Bradley Wiggins, Olympic gold medal cyclist Steven Burke and Brian Cookson, OBE, President of the Union Cycliste Internationale– the world cycling organisation.

Pendle, in East Lancashire, is fast becoming a centre for cycling. In June, a 1.1km closed road circuit will open, thanks to funding from Sport England, The Lancashire Environment Fund and Pendle Council Council. The circuit is based at Swinden Playing Fields in Nelson, it will be known as the Steven Burke Sports Hub. And there are plans for a state-of-the art velodrome in Barnoldswick from Pendle Company, Hope Technology. To top this off, Pendle has some of the most stunning countryside in the North of England and boasts a wonderful range of varied cycling routes from family friendly to the very challenging.