Flower power – floral bicycle display installed to spur on world class cyclists

Around 120 professional cyclists are expected to take to the streets on Saturday (14 September) as the OVO Energy Tour of Britain arrives in Rochdale. Saturday will see the riders tackle stage eight, the final of the Tour of Britain route, as it races through Rochdale before finishing in Manchester.

To celebrate the event and pay homage to the weeks of intensive training undertaken by the riders, Rochdale in Bloom has designed a new floral display along the route. Named Rochdale’s Racers and aimed to spur on the riders, the community group have installed bicycles on a strip of grass land in front of Cutgate shops on Edenfield Road.

The old and unused bikes were donated to the group and have been upcycled using the colours of the most famous cycling jerseys. Plants have been added to the multi-coloured bikes leaving them awash with colour.

The prestigious Tour of Britain is in the second tier of cycling events in the world, just behind the Tour de France. The riders are due to travel along Edenfield Road and through Norden and will pass directly by the new display that has been designed to welcome the riders and provide a backdrop to the action.

 

 

Roy Down, chairman of Rochdale in Bloom, said: “The Tour of Britain gives us as Rochdale residents a brilliant chance to catch a glimpse of some of the world’s top cyclists up close. When the news was announced as we were gearing up for our North West in Bloom judging day we couldn’t resist including a tribute to the riders who have been training so hard.

“We’d like to thank Pauline at Bee Inspired who sourced the bikes, National Coatings who painted them, special thanks to Councillor Wendy Cocks for spending the day planting up and Rochdale Borough Council for installing. As always, it’s been a community effort.”

Rachel Massey, Spotland and Falinge Labour councillor, said: “It wouldn’t be Britain’s biggest cycling race without spectators lining the streets and turning out in support of the riders. The 1st Scouts, Cubs and Beavers are ready with banners to welcome the world’s top cycling teams through Spotland. The amazing volunteers from Rochdale in Bloom have once again worked co-operatively with our local businesses to deliver another inspirational display for our town.

“We hope that the excitement of this prestigious race, set against the dramatic backdrops of our great town, encourages more people to participate in outdoor sport and exercise, and that we can continue to inspire the next generation of racers.”

Full route:

The route through Rochdale will see the cyclists enter the borough at Burnedge from High Crompton on Broad Lane and then down Oldham Road, turning right at the central retail park onto Wood Street, Molesworth Street and up John Street.

The cyclists then turn left onto St Mary's Gate and into the town centre along Newgate and past Rochdale Town Hall. From there the tour will head along Dane Street (past Asda) and Mellor Street onto Edenfield Road and through Norden towards Edenfield.