Route: Crook Ness to Scarborough
Area: North Yorkshire
Date of walk: 1st May 2015
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 8.3 miles
Weather: Sunny intervals
We were staying at Derwent View Hackness and there was great excitement in the village as the Tour de Yorkshire was passing through. Bunting had been strung out, bikes sprayed in blue and yellow, and cream tea was being served at the village hall. We waited by the cottage for the riders to come by on Stage 1 of their journey and in a flash they came and went – I’m glad we didn’t have to buy tickets. It was worth it though for the atmosphere in the village and for the fantastic sight of these superfit athletes racing along the road
The riders would be continuing their journey round North Yorks for the next 3 hours so we quickly drove over to nearby Burniston, parked near the cliffs and set off for Scarborough where the race was due to finish
After a wonderful cliff top walk, following the Cleveland Way long distance path, we arrived at Scarborough with time to spare and watched as the riders sped across the finishing line – a great sight
We then walked into the town and joined the Cinder Track which follows the route of the old railway line from Scarborough to Whitby. This makes for easy walking and before long we were back in Burniston
What a memorable day it had been
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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Derwent View Hackness, in a couple of hours time the riders will be cycling past the cottage
I wander along the lane into the village
I take up position opposite the cottage - here come the police, making sure the roads are clear for the riders
The first small group of riders
and then the peloton, grouping together to reduce drag
Sorry I can’t name any names
The support vehicles pass by and that’s it - all over in a couple of minutes, but we have a cunning plan…
It took us 10 minutes to drive to the coast and we would walk along the cliff tops for the finish - Scarborough Castle is in the distance
Crook Ness
Scarborough Castle
Oilseed rape
Looking back to the start of the walk
Scalby Ness
Scalby Beck
Looking back along the coast
Scarborough Castle again
We cross Scalby Beck at Scalby Mills
Walking along North Bay
Freshly painted beach huts along North Bay
The finishing line is just ahead
Looking down the home straight
Winner of Stage 1
We set off on the return journey, passing by the support cars and spare bikes
After a 10 minute walk through the outskirts of Scarborough we joined the Cinder Track
We left the Cinder Track at Burniston, then followed Field Lane under the tunnel
Heading towards the sea
Last view of Scarborough Castle before we arrive back at the start - a great walk at any time but Le Tour had made it a special one today
