A Day At The Races

The day the tour stopped outside our house.
Today the Tour de Yorkshire closed our road down for the day as the women race and the mens race finished with the brutal climb which is my ascent or descent out of or into Ilkley. The full professional racing paraphernalia congregated overnight, and though a bit dull for the women finish, the sun came out along with the yorkshire flags and flat caps, as Tour Fever segued into Bank Holiday Fever.
American Megan Guarnier won the womens climb and race overall on her birthday - Yorkshire people are generous like that. The mens day was won by Magnus Cort (somewhere in this picture). They both stamped their authority on the 2km climb which is brutal when you're just trying to do it without getting off your bike (me), but to push ahead of your professional peers that's something else, chapeau to you both.
I like this picture as it catches some of the joy of the day (Magnus isn't showing it at the moment, but just 75 yards to go!)

A few more from my day at the races