Cycle event to celebrate Tour

The Steel Grave Tour is a 44-mile route, made up of gravel tracks and scenic country lanes and will be held on Saturday April 22, the week before the Tour de Yorkshire finishes in Fox Valley, Stocksbridge.

The route is designed to be ridden on any bike - from a road bike to a mountain bike - although a gravel, cyclocross, xc mountain bike or hybrid type bike is recommended as the best option, given the mix of terrain on route. The route uses parts of the ‘Stocksbridge loop’ section of the Tour de Yorkshire, including three of the four categorised climbs the professionals will be tackling.

There will be a fancy dress competition, which is optional but encouraged, with a yellow, blue and white theme, to be judged by the Stocksbridge Mayor. There will also be a woodland tea party on route, so cyclists can fuel up with a cup of tea or coffee, a slice of cake and show off their fancy dress costumes.

The event organiser, Tom Newman, said: “This will be a fantastic adventure and challenge, with loads of fun on the way. The perfect way to get in the mood for the Tour de Yorkshire coming to town!”

All funds raised from the event will go to the Steel Valley Project - a countryside management charity. The ride will be starting and finishing at Full Gas Bikes, located in the Fox Valley development - the same place the Tour de Yorkshire will be finishing the week after.

Event organisers are looking for volunteers to help out on the day. Call 0114 2830880 to sign up.