One month to the day before the 101st edition of the Tour de France begins in Leeds, cyclists, artists and farmers have yesterday descended on a field in Yorkshire to create an artwork that will be seen by millions of viewers worldwide during TV coverage of Stage 2 of the race. Meanwhile, communities throughout the region are busy putting the finishing touches to their preparations to welcome the world’s biggest annual sporting event.
The artwork, called The Leap has been designed by West Yorkshire-based artist Louise Lockhart and was traced out yesterday near Oxenhope by the tyre tracks of dozens of cyclists taking part in a time trial, the course of which follows the outline of a female figure, symbolising the freedom the bicycle gave women.
It is one of a dozen installations being put in place on the route of Stage 2 from York to Sheffield as part of the Yorkshire Festival, under the name Fields of Vision, whose creative director, Geoff Wood, said: “For our team working on Fields of Vision, the Tour de France is a fantastic chance to show just what talented artists we have in the region and to use their skills to make art on a truly epic scale.
“Delivering a project as ambitious as this has been a big undertaking. We are really looking forward to seeing the results of our work on the television and sharing our work with all the viewers. We hope, of course that this will encourage people to explore this glorious landscape.”
Welcome to Yorkshire’s chief executive, Gary Verity, who masterminded the successful bid to bring the race to the north of England, said: “It’s fitting that this team of cyclists should help us mark one month to go to the start of the Tour.
“It is images like these, beamed to the world, which will put Yorkshire on the map globally. We’ve a month to go to the greatest sporting event in Yorkshire’s history, the county is crackling with excitement and we cannot wait to start welcoming the world.”
Welcome to Yorkshire also outlined some of the iniiatives being undertaken locally ahead of the race, including:
70km of celebratory cycling jersey bunting being sent throughout the county to dress towns and villages in preparation for the big weekend
Taylors of Harrogate, the official tea partner of the Grand Départ, is preparing to giveaway over 5m tea bags to spectators lined along the UK stages
In Masham, over 100,000 pints of beers are predicted to be sold from its breweries during the Tour de France weekend – the biggest party in the town’s history
Harrogate Borough Council after a call out for 3,000 knitted bunting jerseys, have been inundated with 23,000 jerseys
In Ripley – which is styled on an historic French village complete with Hotel du Ville – a giant Tricolour of flowers is being planted on the castle terraces to be visible from the air
Knaresborough have filled their town with over 20 yellow bikes and 14 trompe l'oeil window murals, two of which feature cycling legends Beryl Burton and Brian Robinson.
Better to keep your mouth shut and people think you're a prick than to open it so that people know you're a prick
Car crashes into wall behind Natwest in Winchester https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/24216676.photos-car-crashes-wa...
Standard driver responses - what a grim world view to go through life with, full of resentment and bitterness. ...
One way to find out is to put a member of the driver's family on the bike and ask them to repeat the manoeuvre.
I wasnt sure if the picture of the of the tunnel was a picture of a local canal somewhere or not......
The legal position has been pretty much settled since DDA in 1995 - reasonable adjustments. Though LTN 1/20 and Inclusive Mobility helpd determine...
This was in my local park and dogs are allowed off-lead. Cyclists are required to ride slowly and give due care and attention as it happens.
Something worth pointing out that's not mentioned in the article is with the Di2 buttons - the functions are not restricted to single presses, each...
My Cyclic Fly6 3 Gen is now 2 years old and the battery has continued its decline, it lasts just over 1 and a half hours, no light, no audio etc.,...
I've since learned that universal, inflatable roof racks are a thing and apparently work well. Going to try that next time, just getting a standard...