Route revealed as Kendal prepares to host some of the worlds top cyclists

15 August 2011 

The route for Stage Two of this year’s Tour of Britain cycling event will start in Kendal, the gateway to the South Lakes and end in Blackpool on the Lancashire coast, with opportunities for many in South Lakeland to watch the action at the start and cheer on the riders en route.

Top cyclists from 16 teams will start this stage of the country’s biggest professional cycle race at 10.30am on Monday, September 12 at Abbot Hall Park in the Kirkland area of the town.  They will set off on a 137km ride expected to finish for the lead riders at around 1.37pm.

The route from Kendal takes riders through the town centre, passing along Highgate and Stricklandgate, Sandes Avenue, Station Road, Longpool and Appleby Road.  They will head out of town on the A685 on towards Grayrigg, which they will reach at around 10.45am.  They will then take the B6257 down through Firbank, passing the outskirts of Sedbergh at approximately 11.03am before heading south on the A683 towards Middleton and then Casterton.

The riders will give kerb-side spectators a great view of the action, as the team’s head towards the famous Devil’s Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale, which they will reach at approximately 11.24am.

Continuing south along the A683 heading into Lancashire, cyclists will attempt to be in the leading pack that passes through Wennington at 11.36 and then Caton at 11.52am.  They will then traverse the Forest of Bowland, passing through Grizedale at 12.17am and Bank Farm a few minutes later, before heading to Longridge for arrival at around 12.38am.

From Longridge, they will take the B5269 to Broughton (12.52am) before heading in a northwesterly direction to Inskip (13.03pm).  They will then progress along the B5269 to Poulton-le-Fylde (13.21pm) and reach their final destination outside Blackpool’s famous Tower at approximately 13.37pm.

The first King of the Mountain climb of the race will be after only 5kms at Grayrigg with the King of the Mountains jersey up for grabs, followed by two Yodel sprints at Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale.

South Lakeland District Council says the race should be an exciting spectacle for observers of all ages.  The Tour of Britain last came to Kendal in 2007, for a stage finish.  This time, families, cycling enthusiasts and other spectators will have a chance to see their cycling heroes preparing for the start in Abbot Hall Park and enjoy the atmosphere from 9am on 12 September. 

Others will be able to line the route and cheer particular favourites on in other parts of the South Lakes.  The race is expected to bring significant tourism income into the area, with cycling becoming one of Britain’s most popular sports thanks to the successes of Team GB and individual riders such as Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins.

Speaking on behalf of South Lakeland District Council, Councillor Hilary Stephenson, said: “We were delighted Kendal was chosen as a stage start and are determined to give the riders as warm a welcome as the Tour riders received a few years ago.  We will be encouraging local residents to come along to Abbot Hall Park and see how the start preparations unfold and hope that some schools will also allow their pupils to get involved.  This is a great sporting occasion and we wish to make sure that Kendal is a fantastic host.”

Details of the Tour of Britain race can be found at www.tourofbritain.com The race will take place over eight days and nine stages, starting on September 11 in Peebles in Scotland and finally ending in London on 18 September.