Big thanks for the four days of spectacular cycling action in the Tour de Yorkshire 2018!

Fabulous scenery, sense of community and cracking weather. Not to mention the incredible and demanding routes. The crowds and effort people went to with decorations adorning buildings, hedgerows and fields was a sight to behold. The shear numbers of spectators was staggering.

I watched the Stage 2finish on the 1.9km climb up to the Cow and Calf pub on Ilkley Moor. Riders were spurred out of their saddles on this steep section by the rapturous applause and banging on the barrier boards.

I also rode the Park Rash climb a few hours before the Tour riders came through in Stage 4; a brutal 2.3km climb with a couple of 25% hairpins. The blistering heat made this a tough feat among the beautiful Dales scenery. Fresh tarmac and a road sweeping truck was taking care of duty as I descended back via Horsehouse to West Whitton. Looping back via Hawes and Askgarth climb I caught the riders at Kettlewell with Stephane Rossetto way out front.

Super weekend, weather and cycling in Yorkshire.