Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling, 4-6 July 2014

On 5th July 2014 Stage 1 of the Tour de France begins in Leeds. Seven miles later the riders turn off the main road and race through the magnificent grounds of Harewood House, a 1,000 acre private estate and the family home of the Earl and Countess of Harewood.

To celebrate this historic occasion, Harewood House is hosting the inaugural Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling, giving you an opportunity not only to get within touching distance of the riders, but also to camp in the grounds of one of England’s finest houses for the whole weekend and enjoy a vast array of entertainment, shopping, food & drink and even to follow in the Tour riders’ tracks by joining ‘led-rides’ to key vantage points on the route and entering a host of cycling participation events.

Participation is the name of the game at the Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling, with events for all types of riders, from the sit-up-and-beggars to the serious sportive cyclists. And they’re all organised by Human Race, so you’re in safe hands!

Led Rides
Watching Le Tour as it passes through Harewood House will be a truly special experience, but it doesn't have to end there. We've been liaising closely with the Yorkshire Police and Traffic Management teams to plot some great routes, avoiding the hefty stretches of road closures, to get to some of the best spots to catch another view of the race.

On arrival at our viewing points riders will be able to relax at our hubs where we can gather together and share in this most memorable of moments once again. Rides will take place on both days and with groups split into Slow, Medium and Fast Paced, are suitable for cyclists of all abilities.

Family Fun Ride
The Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling will provide memories for families that will last a life time, camping, demonstrations, exhibitions, and watching Le Tour live! But it's not just about watching, it's also about taking part! The Family Fun Ride offers a relaxed cycling experience for families and cyclists of all abilities to enjoy the stunning views around our Closed Roads Circuit Course with in the grounds of Harewood House.

Individual Circuit Time Trial
Time to test your speed! The concept is simple, channel Chris Froome, pump your legs for 5 laps of our 2.4 mile Closed Road Circuit Course and see if you've got the speed to be crowned Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling's Time Trial Champion. Mixed and WomenOnly waves on offer.

Corporate and Team Circuit Time Trial
This one's all about the bragging rights. Think that you and your colleagues or club mates are the fastest wheelers around? Well here's your chance to prove it. Give it everything you've got for 5 laps around our 2.4 mile Closed Road Circuit Course and see if you can be crowned champions of the Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling Team Time Trial.

Kids’ Individual Time Trial
Time to test your speed! The concept is simple, channel Chris Froome, pump your legs for 5 laps of our 2.4 mile Closed Road Circuit Course and see if you've got the speed to be crowned Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling's Kid's Time Trial Champion. Open to children aged 12 - 15 years old.

Enduro
Take on the longest of our Circuit Racing events, a total of 36 miles, or giving it your all around the Closed Road Circuit Course. If you get some time to pick your head up you'll enjoy the stunning backdrop that the ground of Harewood House provides, or simply look straight, pedal hard and go for the title of Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling Eduro Champion

Off-Road Trail Run
Take to the Trails and experience the beautiful grounds of Harewood House from a different perspective. Enjoy these off road runs with routes that navigate their way through stunning tree lined paths, with something for runners of all abilities with both 5km and 10km distances on offer the perfect way to start the morning before watching Le Tour.

Off-Road Duathlon
The beautiful grounds of Harewood House will make for an ideal bike and run course against this stunning back drop. The run legs, of 10km and 5km, will take competitors through undulating terrain within the woodland setting, whilst the bike will offer a challenging but fun off-road moutain biking experience.