Bainbridge Leyburn loop TdF 2014 Stage 1b

This is the top section of the Tour de France 2014 Grand Depart - a relatively easy way to do the stage over two days - and follows on from my Leeds to Bainbridge TdF 2014 Stage 1a. Any other overnight stop-off in Wensleydale will do almost as well, use these routes as the basis and modify to suit.

Stage 1b starts at Bainbridge, half way through Stage 1 proper, and loops through Hawes, up the breathtaking Hardraw and Buttertubs climbs, then sweeps down through Swaledale. Another breathtaking climb takes you back over the ridge to Leyburn in Wensleydale, and on to Middleham. From here Le Tour goes south to Harrogate, but my route turns west back to the day's start at Bainbridge.

In a strong westerly wind, the run down Swaledale is an absolute breeze, fast, exhillarating and relatively easy - Middleham to Bainbridge into the wind is the payback!