Suffolk Welcomes Tour Of Britain

Wednesday, 6 September 2023 06:45

An international cycling race is set to make its return to east Suffolk this week for the first time in 6 years on Thursday (7th September 2023).

An international cycling race is set to make its return to east Suffolk this week for the first time in 6 years on Thursday (7th September 2023).

The 5th stage of the 2023 Tour of Britain race will make its way through Framlingham, Saxmundham and Leiston on Thursday afternoon, having last visited nearby Aldeburgh in 2017.

Meanwhile, residents of Kelsale & Yoxford are also being encouraged to clock up the same distance in the month of September in their own cycling challenge. The fifth stage of the international cycle race will start and finish in Suffolk – wending 119.6 miles through Suffolk and passing Framlingham, Saxmundham and Leiston and along the way. Just north of Saxmundham, residents of Kelsale and Yoxford ward are being encouraged to take part in their own cycling challenge to clock up the same distance over the month of September. The challenge equates to 3.99 miles per day – roughly the distance between Peasenhall and Walpole – or 11.96 miles on Saturdays and Sundays. To inspire everyone to get going, riders are also being encouraged to log their progress on cycle distance apps and let others know on social media, by using the #MyTour hashtag, just how they are doing, including posting photos from their journeys. East Suffolk councillor for Kelsale and Yoxford ward, Julia Ewart said: “This is a great opportunity for local people to challenge themselves to ‘ride along’ with the Tour of Britain this September. I for one am dusting my bike down! “Cycling is a great way to boost health and wellbeing, and we’re lucky to have some beautiful cycling routes on our doorstep.” The Tour of Britain is expected to pass through Framlingham at about 1.56pm, before visiting Saxmundham at 2.12pm and Leiston at 2.20pm on Thursday 7th September. Suffolk last hosted the men’s Tour of Britain in 2017, when Stage Six of the race finished in the centre of Aldeburgh. A full route guide and map can be found on the Tour of Britain website