TOUR FEVER COMES TO LAKE DISTRICT

In celebration of the Tour de France, the UK's largest cycle store wheelbase.co.uk held its annual 'Le Tour de Staveley', a non-competitive road sportive for all abilities on Saturday 12 July.

The event was at capacity with 180 riders starting from the Mill Yard in Staveley in three staggered starts to tackle a choice of either a 55km ?tough? course or a more gentle 30km short course.

Both routes took in the rolling countryside of Underbarrow and Brigsteer, with the peloton on the long course then spinning off down pan-flat Lyth Valley towards Grange before tackling the ?sting-in-tail? of a 1.5mile drag up the infamous Gummer Howe with amazing views over Lake Windermere.

The riders then reassembled at the Punch Bowl Inn, Crosthwaite before ambling back through Crook en-route to Staveley for a French theme meal courtesy of Wilfs Café and organic French wines from the yards latest edition Organico.

Riders were also given the opportunity to ride the same 'dream' bikes that the pro riders in the real 'Tour de France' were using as the event was attended by Italian road bike manufacturer Wilier, along with Cannondale and Litespeed from the USA. Plus, sports massage from Graham Theabold of Body Rehab.

The evening's entertainment was capped with riders being treated to another stage win in the real Le Tour de France from Brit ace sprinter Mark Cavendish on the big screen set up in Wilfs.