Tour de France Yorkshire - The route...?

Although it won't be revealed by until a press conference (in both Leeds and Paris) on 17th January, "usually reliable sources" suggest the following is likely: -

Day 1 - Saturday 5th July 2014 - the start will be in Central Leeds, heading out through the grounds of Harewood House and then up and across - probably Sutton Bank - through The North Yorkshire Moors National Park - and across for a sprint finish on the sea front in Scarborough. 

Day 2 - Sunday 6th -  is expected to start in York City Centre heading across into The Yorkshire Dales National Park, coming down - hopefully through Ilkley and up past The Cow and Calf Rocks on Ilkley Moor, then down through Halifax and maybe ending in Sheffield City Centre.

All this is yet to be confirmed! It may prove wrong.  I'll bet it's not far off the mark though!  

We'll just have to wait - in the meantime go to yorkshire.com for the latest news

Deluge Fails to Dampen County’s Spirit

Wet weather has failed to dampen the county’s spirit as key festivals and tourism business have declared they will not be beaten by the deluge.

Despite the county experiencing torrential downpours this week festival organisers at the hugely popular Masham Sheep Fair have announced they will open for business as usual this weekend. The River Ouse may have burst its banks but the majority of York businesses are trading as normal including key tourist attractions such the National Railway Museum, the Jorvik Viking Centre and the city’s popular Food and Drink festival. Hebden Bridge, which has been repeatedly hit by the bad weather is open, and has an exhibition highlighting the town’s strength during the recent poor weather at the Heart Gallery. The nationally renowned Ilkley Literature Festival goes ahead as normal as does the Helmsley Folk Weekend.
 

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said:

Yorkshire, like the rest of the country, has experienced extremely high rainfall this week however it doesn’t mean the entire county is closed - far from it. Festivals, towns and businesses are fighting back and it’s extremely important to get the message out there that Yorkshire is not a washout, where possible we are open for business ready and waiting with a warm Yorkshire welcome that won’t be beaten by the wet weather.

Westwood Lodge Ilkley Moor is open as usual.  Local shops,  roads and rail links are open and operating normally 

 

Where to Visit, Eat and Drink - Your latest views...

Some favourable reports... The National Railway Museum at York Ilkley Moor Vaults - "Great food and they take dogs too" The Box Tree - "For obvious reasons" Betty's - "Excellent as ever. Good food and lovely atmosphere" The train service into Leeds - "Excellent" The wonderful views from the apartments Bolton Abbey - "Beautiful surroundings" Ingleton - "waterfall walk, caves and great fish and chips" The Wells Bistro - "Good food" Monkman's - "Excellent Early Bird menu"

Where to Visit, Eat and Drink - More views...

Betty's - "The quality is good. We went 5 times!" The train service - "Excellent" Wells Bistro - "Good Food" RHS Harlow Carr - "If you like gardens and gardening" Grassington The Craven Heiffer at Addingham - "Excellent range of food - especially fish and friendly atmosphere" The Fleece at Addingham - "Excellent food" and maybe not so good at the moment... Monkman's - "Overpriced and mediocre" but another guest reports "Excellent. Good food and early bird menu well priced" Haworth - "Crowds for Sunday Wartime event. Went Tuesday and it was brilliant - specially The Parsonage."