Tour of Britain

On Thursday September the 10th a blur of Lycra clad cyclists whizzed past the entrance to Aira Force. The Tour of Britain had come to town.

The Tour of Britain’s origins are believed to date back to just after the Second World War. The event has grown and grown ever since. This year saw competitors such as 2012 Tour De France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish winner of 26 Tour De France stages, taking part.

With two of the eight stages starting or ending in Cumbria the locals had really gone to town in decorating road side verges, trees, gardens and anywhere else they could think of to place what has become a local landmark, of bikes that had been painted yellow.

It was decided here at Aira Force we needed to enter into the spirit. So in keeping with the ethos of naturally made items, we thought we would make a bike out of some leftover timber we had in the yard.

After a day of sawing, bolting and painting, what started the day as a pile of wood, was now a giant wooden bike

I wonder if Sir Bradley could have won the Tour De France on this!!!?

It took four Rangers to load it onto a trailer and deliver it to the bottom of Park Brow (just outside the tea room)

The bike being secured into position.

On the day of the race the sun came out and the local primary school came down to cheer on their favourite cyclists.

The 120 or so competitors shot past in the blink of an eye.

Overall it was a great day enjoyed by all. And if you look closely enough on the highlights, you can just about pick out the yellow wheels of the bike as the helicopter shot pans down Ullswater.