Derbyshire to celebrate cycling with the Aviva Women's Tour and Eroica

Fun-packed festivities have been planned to celebrate the arrival of the Aviva Women's Tour cycle race on Friday when a star-studded field hits the roads of Derbyshire.
Pictured is British Cycling rider Jessie Walker, Councillor John Owen and Gian Bohan from Eroica Britannia, in front of Chatsworth House, which features in both the Womens Tour and Eroica Britannia.Pictured is British Cycling rider Jessie Walker, Councillor John Owen and Gian Bohan from Eroica Britannia, in front of Chatsworth House, which features in both the Womens Tour and Eroica Britannia.
Pictured is British Cycling rider Jessie Walker, Councillor John Owen and Gian Bohan from Eroica Britannia, in front of Chatsworth House, which features in both the Womens Tour and Eroica Britannia.

The five-day world tour road race starts Wednesday and finishes on Sunday and includes a 109.6km Stage 3, on Friday, from Ashbourne to Chesterfield, including the Peak District National Park, Buxton and Matlock.

It will start in Southwold, Suffolk, and finishes in Kettering.

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Derbyshire is also gearing up for a weekend of cycling action with the vintage cycling festival Eroica Britannia in Bakewell from June 17 to 19.

Pictured is the 2015 Aviva Women's Tour.Pictured is the 2015 Aviva Women's Tour.
Pictured is the 2015 Aviva Women's Tour.

Activities for the Aviva Women’s Tour have been organised by the Chesterfield Borough Council at Chesterfield’s Town Hall to celebrate the Stage 3 including the following: A Workplace Challenge with static bikes between 8.30am and 1pm; A cycling promotional area from 10am to 3pm; A display of disability bikes by Wheelyfunwheels from 11am to 3pm; A display by a unicycle display team from 11.30am to noon.

Events in and around Market Place also include:

Chesterfield College students will be present with spin bikes and advice on activities for women from Active Chesterfield in New Square from 9.30am to 3pm; Kids’ balance bikes outside the Market Hall from 10.30am to 1pm.

A unicycle display team in Vicar Lane from 12.45pm to 1.45pm and 2.15pm to 2.45pm.

Pictured is the 2015 Aviva Women's Tour.Pictured is the 2015 Aviva Women's Tour.
Pictured is the 2015 Aviva Women's Tour.
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Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “It is a great honour for Chesterfield to welcome the world’s top cyclists.

“As well as seeing the thrilling finish of the race in the Market Place, we have a packed programme of fun events.”

The Aviva Women’s Tour will enter the town centre by Saltergate, Soresby Street, Rose Hill, West Bars and Low Pavement before finishing in Market Place between 1.30pm and 2.30pm where the podium presentation will take place.

This event will be attended by schools who will take part in guided cycle rides and by the Eroica Britannia cycle team.

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There will be traffic restrictions during the day. There will be no stopping on Newbold Road, Loundsley Green Road, Ashgate Road or Saltergate from 8.45am to 2.45pm or until the race has passed.

There will also be traffic restrictions on some town centre roads and streets and rolling road closures along the route.

Spectators are expected to be able to spot the biggest stars including World Champion and British rider Lizzie Armitstead, defending Aviva Women’s Tour champion Lisa Brennauer and Olympic Champion Marianne Vos of the Rabo Liv team alongside British Cycling rider Jessie Walker.

Jessie said: “I’m delighted to be riding in the Aviva Women’s Tour. I’m very familiar with the Derbyshire hills as I’m from Sheffield and have been cycling in the county for many years.

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“I competed in the inaugural Women’s Tour in 2014 and was overwhelmed by the support out on the roads. It really gives the race an amazing buzz, making it an extra special race on the calendar.”

The best viewing spots include: Terrace Road, Buxton, for a sprint about 11.43am; Winster about 12.31pm for a Queen of the Mountains challenge; Bank Road, Matlock, about 12.52pm, for a QoM Challenge; and Market Place, Chesterfield, about 1.53pm, for the finish.

The Stage 3 route goes from Ashbourne, to East Strendale, Buxton, Chelmorton, Monyash, Youlgreave, Alport, Winster, Wensley, Cross Green, Darley Moor, Matlock, Ashover, Beeley, and Baslow heading along the A619, B6050 towards Chesterfield. The race will hit Chesterfield on the B6051 Newbold Road, and head to the B6150 Loundsley Green Road, then on to Ashgate Way, Saltergate, Soresby Street, Rose Hill, Clarence Road, West Bars and Market Place for the finish.

Cycling fans in the county will also have the chance to catch the action for a second time a day later on Stage 4 which will pass through South Derbyshire on its way from Nottingham to Stoke-on-Trent.

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Derbyshire is also gearing up for a weekend of cycling action with the vintage cycling festival Eroica Britannia in Bakewell from June 17 to 19.

The Ashbourne to Chesterfield Aviva Women’s Tour Stage 3 falls during the popular Eroica Britannia family festival in Bakewell.

The festival offers fun for all the family with three days of live music, entertainment, acres of shopping, the World’s biggest Bike Jumble and food festival.

Tickets are available from www.eroicabritannia.co.uk.

Derbyshire County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, Councillor John Owen, said: “The weekend promises to be a fantastic opportunity for the county.

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“There’s the Aviva Women’s Tour where you can watch a top class international sporting event for free.

“And then we welcome thousands of cyclists on vintage bikes to take part in Eroica Britannia. This prestigious event will boost the county’s economy as many of the riders come from outside the county, as well as offering a great day out for local people.”