The Yorkshire Festival of Cycling, being held during next year’s Tour de France, has gained a new headline sponsor in the form of leading outdoor fitness retailer Dare 2b.
The Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling – as the event will now be styled – will take place from 4-6 July 2014 at Harewood House near Leeds. The three-day festival will give cycling fans the opportunity to see the Tour de France first-hand as it passes through the house’s grounds during Stage 1 (on Saturday 5 July 2014) from Leeds to Harrogate.
Yorkshire won the right to host the Grand Depart of the 2014 Tour de France in December last year, and public anticipation for the event was boosted even further in July when Chris Froome became the second Briton in consecutive years to win the historic event.
The Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling, launched this summer, will be a celebration of all things cycling, set to entertain the sport’s growing spectatorship as well as the ever expanding demographic of recreational cyclists in the UK.
The festival will offer various camping options so visitors can enjoy the Tour experience all weekend. Visitors will benefit from a large expo with major and emerging cycling and outdoor brands represented, as well as on-site entertainment focusing on a central stage.
Visitors will also have the unique opportunity to follow in the tracks of the Tour riders by getting involved in the various rides, which will be available to members of the public throughout the weekend. These will include sportives for all abilities, trail running, duathlons, a womens-only Cycletta, kids’ events and more.
Harewood House will also be home to VIP hospitality for corporate guests and individuals.
Christopher Newton, Director of Harewood Events Ltd, organisers of the Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling, said “Dare2b is a brand that we at the Yorkshire Festival of Cycling can relate to. Still a young company, Dare2b makes high quality products for those living an outdoor lifestyle. The Dare2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling will be the base for spectators to watch and enjoy the Grand Depart of the Tour de France in July 2014.”
He added “Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in various events and activities throughout the weekend, as well as camping in the grounds.”
Graham Rickard, Managing Director of Dare 2b, said “We are very excited to be sponsoring the Yorkshire Festival of Cycling. It will be a privilege to be part of history as the Tour starts in Yorkshire for the very first time.
“Whilst it is the first year for the festival, we believe that our continuous offering of innovative ideas and top quality products to the cycling world will support the event in its launch and prove to be the perfect partnership for both.”
Full event information and ticket prices for the event will be revealed at the start of November.
www.festivalofcycling.org
www.dare2b.com
