Tuesday 17 June 2014

Le Grand Départ of Le Tour de France - key information


If you're coming on 5th/ 6th July, you should visit our Ilkley community website  ilkley.org/letour
   
We’re delighted if  you’ve chosen to stay with us for Stage 1 and 2 of Le Grand Départ of The Tour de France 2014. (If you haven't - sorry - but we've been fully booked for 18 months! See ilkley.org/letour for accommodation options)  It will be a hugely memorable occasion as Ilkley and Wharfedale will be the showcase for this major world sporting event. The fact that we have Le Tour passing through on both days will make Ilkley and Wharfedale the natural choice for watching this spectacular and world famous race.  There are other things taking place too including The White Rose Classic cycling sportive, Ilkley town centre races and a major four-day hub event at Ilkley Riverside.

 
Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to line the route.  All major roads - including the A65 - will be completely closed for much of the weekend making normal road communications and parking impossible. Trains are being strengthened with extra coaches but are expected to be extremely busy.  Bus services will be largely cancelled. Car parks many miles outside of the area (even stretches of the A65 will be used for parking) will be full with people probably having to walk into town. The only vehicles that will be allowed through the blockages will be the emergency services (police, fire and ambulance).  Due to the large number of people and the (hopefully small) risk of some less than honest people being amongst the crowds we are taking a few extra security precautions here.  

Friday 4th July - our normal check-in arrangements will apply on Friday 4th July.  If you are arriving that day, we will be ready at 4pm prompt.  Please don’t arrive earlier as we have a lot of preparation to do.  However, we do urge you to arrive and get settled in as soon after 4 o’clock as possible.  Only vehicles that have been notified to us will be allowed to park at Westwood Lodge Ilkley Moor, so we will need the registration number of your car(s).  We strongly urge you to have all your weekend shopping, supplies of essential medicines etc. completed before Friday afternoon!       

Saturday 5th July – the big day!  The event will pass through Wharfedale - including Ben Rhydding, Ilkley and Addingham - on it's way into the heart of The Yorkshire Dales and round to Harrogate. The caravan parade comes through from 1025 and the riders at around 1226.  All main roads are expected to be closed from 0530 until late afternoon.  As you will not be able to drive anywhere in Ilkley, we will be locking our main gates from 0800 until 1600.  Security will be in place and our premises monitored by CCTV by a member of our team.  

Sunday 6th   Le Tour returns from York, crossing the A65 and heading down through West and South Yorkshire, finishing in Sheffield.  Whilst the roads into Ilkley will be open, there will be no access along the A65 beyond Ilkley (towards Skipton) or on the back roads.
 
Where can I find out more?

Le Tour Ilkley Moor silkscreen print from local artist


Local artist, Joy Godfrey, has produced a great new silkscreen print of a cyclist on Ilkley Moor.  It's £250 (unframed) or £50 for an A2 reproduction.  Joy will arrange a tour of her workshop for serious purchasers and you can see her work at Weaverbird on Wells Road.  See more of Joy at www.joygodfrey.com