For many it was all over in a flash of lycra and carbon– but the Tour de Yorkshire certainly inspired young cyclists.
Colne Valley-ers turned out in their thousands to cheer on the Tour peloton as it hit Marsden and Slaithwaite before the climb up to the ‘Cote de Scapegoat’.
Spectators lined the streets ten-deep in Slaithwaite village centre, all enjoying the sunshine that broke out just minutes before the cyclists arrived.
Moments before huge crowds had greeted local hero Gabz Cullaigh as he rode through his home village of New Mill.
Among them was young Reece Harper, seven, who got his first bike last year after being inspired by the Tour de France.
Reece, watching with mum Karen, cheered on the cyclists and waved a flag as they went by – and even got a high-five off a police outrider.
He said: “It was so cool, I’m going to practice and have a go next year, I’m not keen on the hills though.”
Mum Karen joked: “I’m definitely not having a go, but he loved the Tour de France and was excited about this, it’s just introduced him to cycling as a sport rather than it just for leisure.”
More pictures from earlier in the day as the race came through New Mill and Holmfirth
Friends Ashley Johnson, Leah Parker and Leanna Robinson, of Linthwaite, were part of the packed crowd on Slaithwaite’s Britannia Road.
Ashley, 17, a student at Kirklees College, said: “It goes by so quickly, I couldn’t run as quick as they can get up the hills. It’s amazing just to see something like this.”
Leanna, also 17, added: “People always say there’s not much happening around here, but things like this are great to get everyone out of the house. I don’t even have a bike but I can enjoy watching it.”
Further along the route on the wonderfully-named ‘Cote de Scapegoat’ was the Hawkins family of Elland. Dad Michael, mum Susie and children Rosie, nine, and Leo, seven, joined the throng of spectators.
Michael said: “We watched the Grand Depart at top of Cragg Vale last year and being on a hill was a good spot, so we planned to come here once the route was announced.
“It’s a brilliant atmosphere, as the cyclists were coming up a bit slower we got more change to pick out the famous cyclists and Leo is thrilled to have seen Bradley Wiggins, but the leaders were just amazing, especially being so far ahead of the main group of cyclists.”
