Tour of Britain 2013: Organisers reveal Stage Two Lake District route

HONISTER Pass was today chosen as the iconic setting to unveil the Tour of Britain’s first visit to the heart of the Lake District.

Organisers gathered on the 356m-high route to reveal the path which 100 of the world’s top cyclists will tackle during stage two of the race.

 

The pass, which features gradients of up to 25 per cent, will provide competitors with their sternest test yet as they head from Carlisle to Kendal on Monday, September 16.

 

Setting off from the city centre at 11am, racers will snake down the county via Wigton, followed by a Yodel Sprint starting from outside St Kentigerns Church in Aspatria.

 

Moving next onto Cockermouth, another Yodel Sprint will follow at Dearham, near Maryport, before a third starting outside Whitehaven School.

 

They will then take on SKODA King of the Mountains climbs at Mockerkin, near Cockermouth, and Chestnut Hill, Keswick, in what is billed as one of the toughest stages of the entire 2013 tour.

 

After passing through Grasmere, Ambleside, Windermere and Crook, riders on the 186.6km route will have to summon the strength to climb Beast Banks, Kendal, which featured in the 2007 race.

 

Competitors face more than 3,000 metres of climbing during the stage with the first racers expected to cross the line at around 3.13pm.

 

North West professionals Matt Cronshaw, of Team IG Sigma Sport, and British Hill Climb Champion Jack Pullar, of Madison Genesis, joined Tour of Britain organisers and officials from across Cumbria to reveal details of the route.

 

The tour is returning to Cumbria after last year’s stage start in Carlisle, which attracted thousands of spectators.

 

It is estimated the event will generate up to £4 million for Cumbria’s economy.

 

David Southward, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “The Cumbrian stage will be a high point - in all senses - of this year’s tour.

 

“The excitement is building and Cumbrian schools and communities are already showing a great deal of interest.

 

“As the event gathers momentum, the benefits for the economy, the environment and people's health all snowball as people show an interest in cycling.”

 

Lake District National Park Authority chief executive Richard Leafe said: “Hosting the most challenging mountain stage of the Tour of Britain in one of the UK’s most dramatic landscapes will provide a fantastic opportunity to position the Lake District as an exciting and awe inspiring place.

 

“It is also an excellent opportunity to encourage more people to take up cycling as a greener form of transport, whether they are a visitor or local, while enjoying the beauty and splendour that the Lake District National Park has to offer.”

 

And Richard Greenwood, Cumbria Tourism’s head of policy and research, added: “Hosting a full leg of the Tour Of Britain in Cumbria provides us with an excellent opportunity to showcase our beautiful county - the UK’s Adventure Capital - both within the UK and internationally.

 

“As a cycling destination Cumbria has so much to offer, with country lanes, quiet back roads and lots of National Cycle Network routes to explore, as well as more challenging off road routes over high fells and mountains.

 

“To have international cycling stars in our county for a full stage is a massive coup and will benefit the area in so many ways as well as showing the world what a beautiful place Cumbria is to explore on two wheels.”

 

Stage Two of the race is being organised in partnership with the Lake District National Park Authority, Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, South Lakeland District Council and Cumbria Tourism.

 

The Tour of Britain, the UK’s biggest professional cycle race and largest free-to-watch sporting event, starts in Peebles in the Scottish Borders on September 15.

 

Attracting Olympic, World Champion and Tour de France stage winners, it runs until September 22.

TV star votes Penrith high street best in Britain

By Victoria Brenan

        

Penrith has been praised as having the best high street by Great British Bake-Off host Mel Giedroyc.

 

Mel Giedroyc



She said she had been visiting the town “since the year dot” after her mum grew up in the northern Lake District.

 

As part of a campaign launched by the Daily Telegraph – Reinventing the High Street – Mel sung the praises of Penrith and said it had her favourite high street.

 

“My attachment to Penrith’s high street is part nostalgia,” she said. “My mum grew up in the northern Lakes and so I’ve been going to Penrith every summer since the year dot.

 

“Now, when I go back with my own children, I love the fact that Arnisons, the department store with more than a hint of Grace Brothers, is still there on Middlegate, and Grahams, the deli in Market Square, continues to serve you everything over the counter. But my reasons are not all sepia-tinted.”

 

She said Penrith had a tourist trade because of its proximity to the Lake District but was no “chocolate-boxey high street.”

 

“The red stone suggests something more practical and it retains a strong sense of its own identity that enables it to mix the old with the new and still stay real,” she added.

 

“There are chains and a Morrisons. Plus, it is a community place, with a real sense of local people getting on with things as the minutes slip by on the clock tower. It is resolutely normal, but it manages to make normal shopping feel as if it isn’t a chore.”

 

 

Lake District in Cumbria ranks as third most popular UK 'staycation' hotspot

The Lake District is the third most popular domestic holiday hotspot for UK residents, new figures have shown.

 

Despite the dismal weather and tight household budgets, 2013 is going to be a record year for the ‘staycation’ trend as 65 per cent of Britons opt to take their summer holiday at home this year.

 

The holiday report reveals that the Lake District, which came second last year, ranked third behind London and Edinburgh.

 

For the first time in five years, Cornwall has lost its crown as the nation’s top 'staycation' destination and dropped to fourth.

 

The figures show a significant increase on the past two years, when 41 per cent and 35 per cent of Britons respectively took a domestic break.

 

With the average trip costing Britons £399.28 this year - a £34.19 reduction from last year - it is estimated this investment will boost the UK tourism industry by £12bn - up £3.3bn from last year.

 

The findings have been revealed in a new holiday index by Travelodge.

 

The hotel chain’s fifth annual holiday report surveyed 3,000 British adults to investigate their summer holiday intentions.

 

It revealed that 42 per cent of these people are taking a week’s holiday in the UK this summer, 15 per cent are indulging in a two-week break on British shores, and a third are splitting their holidays over three short domestic breaks so they can visit a series of locations.

 

Grant Hearn, Travelodge CEO said: “The 'staycation' trend accelerating to record levels and boosting our economy by £12bn this year is a very welcome sign, and hopefully this is the start of our 2012 Olympics legacy gain.

 

“During 2012, our capital city was showcased in its true glory to all corners of the UK and the world, and it’s a great result that London has been crowned as the top 'staycation' destination for 2013.

 

“However we cannot rest on our laurels, as one of Britain’s biggest business sectors, the opportunity to grow is still great.

 

“We are not yet near to unlocking the true potential of our industry.”

Violinist hits Lake District fells to help rescue team

A 20-MILE run over the Lake District’s highest peaks isn’t the usual way for a musician to prepare for a gig.

 

But that is exactly what accomplished violinist Tim Kliphuis has planned on not one but three days next week.

 

Next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Dutchman is holding concerts at Hawkshead, Staveley and Keswick respectively with his band the Tim Kliphuis Trio.

 

Prior to each performance, he will scale a corresponding fell to raise money for the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association.

 

Mr Kliphuis, who is already more than halfway towards his fundraising target of £500, said he was undertaking the unique challenge to show his appreciation for the “incredible work” carried out by the region’s rescue teams.

 

The first mountain to be conquered is Coniston Old Man on May 16, with the concert to follow at 7.30pm at Hawkshead Church.

 

He will then tackle the Kentmere Horseshoe the next day before performing at the Staveley Roadhouse from 7.30pm.

 

The final test comes on May 18 when he runs the Blencathra and Skiddaw mountains in the lead up to playing at the Keswick Mountain Festival.

 

Log on to www.justgiving.com/fiddlingonthefells for more information about the concerts, or to make a donation.

 

via North West Evening Mail | News | Violinist hits Lake District fells to help rescue team.