Sportive

Rapha Tempest festival: location, location, location

London-based clothing brand finds suitably stylish location for Tour-inspired cycling festival

Yorkshire, it is fair to say, is set for some pretty big parties when the 101st Tour de France rolls out of Leeds on Saturday July 5.

And of those parties, few will come as big as the Rapha Tempest – with the rolling 3,000-acre estate of Broughton Hall, Skipton, set to host a huge festival of cycling.

Rapha hopes to bring some of the atmosphere of its cycle clubs to Yorkshire, but the Tempest festival will be of an all-together greater scale.

Rapha’s H Van sits proudly outside Broughton Hall, Skipton, as preparations for the Tempest begin

Offering a four-day celebration of all things Yorkshire and cycling, with guided rides, live Tour de France action and easily accessible routes to watch the Tour peloton race by – the Tempest could certainly be the perfect way to enjoy the Tour.

RCUK was invited to check out the location and the plans for the weekend, and given its geographical location and attractions, it’s fair to say that there won’ be many better.

Fans of Rapha’s Super Cross will be familiar with the huge grounds, owned by the Tempest family for more than 900 years, as one of the venues for the popular cyclo-cross series.

For those not in the know however, this estate is big – very big – and every last acre will be transformed for the festival with food, drink, live music, open-air cinemas and, of course, plenty of riding opportunities all on the cards.

It is a perfect location to ride out into the Yorkshire countryside – lumpy being the general consensus of the routes – and for those not there for the cycling, be it kids or other family members, there will be plenty more to enjoy besides.

A mini Super Cross will be set up, music from some big-name bands – exact details to be confirmed in due course – and local food and drink to sample in their plenty will all be on offer.

The drink, for the record, is fantastic with local ales set to be available in the Real Ale Tent – including a special Tour de France one – rather than your traditional festival refreshment of watered down fizzy beer.

Broughton Hall is just visible in the settings of its vast estate – all of which will be transformed into a celebration of Yorkshire and cycling for the Rapha Tempest

Camping is available from just £85 for the weekend – great value considering what you get for your money – and is available from Thursday July 3 at mid-day to Monday July 7 at mid-day.

And those looking for something a bit plusher can opt for the luxury camping options, with bell tents available and also a field dedicated to caravans and camper-vans.

Secure bike parking and a rider recovery zone are also mapped in, while Muc-Off will be on hand for bike cleaning and advice at the end-point of any of the daytime and evening guided rides.

A pub on site, workshops, a sponsor village and – of course – a Rapha Cycle Club are also set for the weekend with more announcements still to come of stalls, vendors and activities.

The Tour de France’s arrival in Yorkshire will be unmissable for British cycling fans and, put simply, the Rapha Tempest will be one of the best ways to enjoy it.

The roar when Sir Bradley Wiggins won individual time trial gold at the London Olympics was a hairs-standing-on-end experience for anyone lucky enough to witness it, so picture what it will be like on Saturday July 5.

Just imagine Mark Cavendish unleashing his sprint in Harrogate, while you watch a potentially history-making moment unfold surrounded by cycling fans – sun on your back, Yorkshire Ale in hand, satisfying miles in your legs and an evening of celebration to come.

For more information or to book tickets visit www.raphatempest.cc