Towns and villages in Yorkshire are racing to get ready for the world’s greatest cycle race - The Tour de France - and Masham is no exception.
Masham is determined to make the most of the Tour starting in the Yorkshire Dales on July 5th and is planning to hold a huge party over the weekend of the Grand Depart with a giant screen, live music, Yorkshire food and craft fair, and firework finale.
All ages are getting involved with the children from Masham School planning to paint a giant sheep on the Market Square to be seen by the many helicopters filming the race. Lots of yellow bikes are already on display as well as sheep wearing bright yellow jerseys!
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| Masham tourist info celebrates pedal power |
The Black Sheep Brewery in Masham is hosting a charity cycling challenge of its own in June, which closely follows much of the route of the Grand Depart. There are going to be two routes - le petit mouton and le grand mouton. For those who aren’t good at French, this translates as little sheep and big sheep!
The neighbouring village of West Tanfield is holding a balloon festival as well as showcasing an ale brewed specially for the tour - Tour Ale, which will only be available during July.
The Pennine Brewery Company, which is behind the aptly-named golden ale, is a micro-brewery based in Well, a small village to the east of Masham.
The cyclists will be wending their way through some truly magnificent scenery as they make their way down to Masham along the 190km first stage.
Some of the highlights of the route, and which are easily accessible from Masham, are:
Breathtaking Buttertubs Pass between Hawes in Wensleydale and Muker in Swaledale - this steep climb will count as part of the King of the Mountain title. The Buttertubs themselves are a series of limestone ‘pot-holes’ near the summit into which farmers would lower their butter and cheese in summer to keep them cool.
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| Buttertubs Pass |
East Witton - a picturesque Dales village, which featured in the popular British tv series about a veterinary practice ‘All Creatures Great and Small’, where you can find Jervaulx Abbey - a ruined Cistercian abbey from the 12th century set in rural splendour.
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| Aysgarth Falls |
Aysgarth - home to the Aysgarth Falls - a series of broad limestone steps that the River Ure cascades down. The falls are particularly spectacular when it has been raining but in drier weather provides a great place to walk and picnic. The falls featured in Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves film starring Kevin Costner.
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| Middleham Castle |
Middleham - home to the largest castle keep in the north of England - the childhood home of King Richard III, where the Middleham jewel was unearthed - a valuable engraved gold pendant with blue sapphire stone dating from the 15th century. Middleham is also an important centre for horse racing.
The spa town of Harrogate is hosting the end of stage one with a thrilling sprint finish deciding who will wear the first yellow jersey of the 2014 race. Harrogate is known for its antique shops and smart boutiques. It is also home to the RHS gardens at Harlow Carr. In keeping with its history as a prominent spa town, visitor can relax at the ornately-decorated VictorianTurkish Baths. Harrogate is also known as the place that Agatha Christie, the Queen of crime-writing, was found after an 11 day search following her mysterious disappearance in 1926.
The next day of the Grand Depart sees the cyclists setting off in style from the historic city of York.
There is even an official song being released for the great event:"The Road" written and performed by Alistair Griffin and featuring Kimberley Walsh.
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