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York gears up for two-wheeled explorers

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30 days ahead of Le Tour de France Grand Départ

Given 200 of the world’s best cyclists will descend on York for the 101stTour de France Grand Départ this July, if you choose York for a cycling getaway you’ll be in good company.  Cycling fans across the globe will be watching the Tour de France set off from York on 6 July and the city’s tourism agency Visit York this month begins a campaign to promote all that’s great about cycling in York and Yorkshire.

‘The Tour de France Grand Départ will shine the world’s spotlight on our city and region as a great place to come cycling.  With few hills or steep inclines, York is the perfect place for visitors to explore by bike, whilst those with a passion for pedalling can also explore the beautiful Yorkshire countryside right on our doorstep.  Cycling is already a way of life here in York but there’s no doubt the Tour de France will inspire everyone to start cycling more,’ comments Head of Visit York, Kate McMullen. 

Helping to get across this message, York’s cycling icon ‘Purpleman’, seen every day in Stonegate - in fact he’s probably the world’s most photographed cyclist – sported a yellow cape in celebration of the forthcoming Grand Départ. So excited about York’s cycling fever, Purpleman has also replaced his usual bowler hat with a cycling helmet and has even written to Le Tour asking if the winners of the Yorkshire stages could wear purple – he’s still waiting for a reply!

It’s not just Purpleman who has given York the thumbs-up, York is often voted one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country. Its extensive network of 100km off-road cycle paths and on-road cycle lanes offers safe, easy access into and around the city – whether you’re rediscovering the joys of cycling on your own, with friends or family or looking to join a group - and there are plenty of challenging countryside routes just outside York for the more adventurous.

What’s more, contrary to popular opinion that most cyclists nowadays are middle-aged men in Lycra, York’s Scoot Cycling Holidays reports having more females booking tours and cycling holidays than males.

‘As one of the premier cycling cities in the country York is completely geared up for visitors who want to explore the popular sights and see what they can discover off the beaten track by bike,’ says Kate McMullen. ‘We offer first class cycle-friendly facilities from hotels and guest houses to routes to suit all ages and abilities – so people can easily create their own cycling itineraries or use one of the specialist cycle holiday companies based here in York to help them.’

The run up to the Grand Départ, Stage 2 in York on Sunday 6 July 2014, is being marked by a series of celebratory Tour de France/cycling inspired events in York, from contemporary art exhibitions to musical performances and even the recreation of a Parisian boulevard in St Leonard’s Place, complete with pavement café and French music. These form part of the 100 day Cultural Festival, which runs prior to and alongside the Grand Départ across the Yorkshire region (27 March - 6 July 2014).

To experience the full Tour de France factor, stay at one of York’s official Tour de France camping sites and head to one of the several spectator hubs, complete with entertainment, big screens for live coverage of the event and food stalls. For more information visit www.visityork.org and www.experiencetherace.com

Facts about Purpleman - York’s cycling icon!

  • Purpleman is, probably, the most photographed cyclist in the world. Over the past eight years more than 468,160 people have taken his photograph
  • Purpleman on his bike, with trusted dog Bubbles, has been seen in Stonegate York by (approx) 6.1 million people over the past eight years
  • Purpleman has been sitting on his purple saddle every day for eight years, 7 days per week – 23,360 hours to be precise – could this be more time in the saddle than any Tour de France competitor?
  • Purpleman makes people smile - on the inside and outside!
  • Purpleman wrote to Le Tour asking if the winners of the Yorkshire stages could wear purple - still waiting for a reply!
  • Christian Prudhomme (Tour de France Director) walked through the streets of York ... did the sight of Purpleman on a bike influence his decision?
  • Purpleman will announce his Tour de France plans on 13 June

ENDS

Useful websites for cycling in and around the city of York

Two-wheeled facts - why choose York for a cycling getaway:

Here are some ideas of how to explore York and the surrounding area by bike:

  • Take a leisurely guided tour through the heart of the city with Scoot Cycling Holidays
  • Cycle at 10 times the speed of light through the Solar System - one of the popular Trans-Pennine Trails which pass through York and the surrounding countryside (generally one to two hour long rides with all-important toilet and refreshment facilities)
  • Cycle to Beningbrough Hall, an 18thcentury mansion, park and gardens. This National Trust property gives a view of life in an English country house from Georgian to Victorian times (open Easter to October)
  • Purple Mountain Dalby Forest Mountain Biking, on the edge of the North York Moors, offers a premium mountain biking destination with over 50 trails, from wide easy green, to challenging climbs and extreme black trails. Bike hire, courses and tuition available. www.purplemountain.co.uk
  • Dine at the Blue Bicycle – where else! This small, intimate, riverside restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and great food. Once a brothel, the design of the Blue Bicycle capitalises on its ‘blue’ history, and employs some voluptuous nudity in the décor – but all in the best possible taste, of course. www.thebluebicycle.com  

For more media information and images please contact:

Kay Hyde, Head of Communications, Visit York. Tel: 01904 554451. Email: kh@visityork.org

Katie Parsons, Senior Communications Executive, Visit York. Tel: 01904 554436. Email: kp@visityork.org

About Visit York

  • Visit York is supported by the City of York Council and over 700 tourism businesses and works in partnership with VisitEngland.
  • Visit York’s aim is to market York as a must-see world-class destination to the leisure and business visitor, and ensure investment to develop the quality of tourism in York.  Visit York is responsible for leisure and conference marketing, visitor services (running the city’s Visitor Information Centre), training and ensuring a quality visitor experience.      
  • Visit York is the driving force of the city’s tourism industry. Key facts: 7 million visitors annually, £606 million total visitor spend, supporting 20,000 jobs

Images attached

Purpleman – the most photographed cyclist in the world – probably – has this week turned his cape yellow and swapped his bowler hat for a cycling helmet, in celebration of the forthcoming Tour de France.

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