Tour campsite cancelled after “disappointing sales”

The owners of a ‘pop-up’ campsite for the Tour de France have announced its cancellation following “disappointing ticket sales and excessive red tape”.

Kidstones Camping, in Upper Wharfedale, was situated on farmland at Kidstones Bank – the first significant climb of the Tour on Saturday 5th July. Described by the Guardian as “one of the most spectacular settings on the route”, the site was offering pitches for up to £199. The family-owned enterprise was expecting between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors.

However, they now say that they are unable to go ahead. In a message posted on their website, the owners report:

“A combination of disappointing ticket sales and excessive red tape mean that Kidstones Camping can no longer offer camping for the race. We have invested very heavily in both time and money but feel that a partial cancellation is the best way forward. We will be contacting everyone who has already booked to offer them our apologies together with full refunds plus suggested alternatives.”

Planned facilities had included two bars, catering, big screens to watch the race, water and toilets. Showers were originally promised, but were later withdrawn because of “restrictions on water supply, gas storage, and extended road closures”.

Other sites further down the valley still have spaces available, such as Velofest at Kilnsey. The Guardian listed a selection of campsites in March.

Cycling minister to inspect Yorkshire tunnel

The campaign to reopen Queensbury railway tunnel, between Halifax and Bradford, for cyclists has received a boost. Robert Goodwill, Minister for Cycling, has agreed to visit the tunnel and speak to local campaigners. The decision on the future of the tunnel will be made by the Highways Agency, and the Queensbury Community Heritage & Action Partnership hope that Robert Goodwill will be able to instruct them to provide for cyclists.

Another Scottish rural path underway

It’s been a good week for rural cycleways in Scotland and here’s another one. A new two-mile path is being constructed between Strathyre and Balquhidder in the Trossachs, a journey which currently involves a long detour. The new path will follow the former Callander & Oban railway trackbed.

Work started at the beginning of April and should be complete at the end of June. It forms part of National Cycle Network route 7, which is largely traffic-free in this area on railway paths and forest tracks. The route links Glasgow and Inverness.

The path is being funded by Transport Scotland. John Lauder, director of Sustrans Scotland, said: “We envisage that it will prove popular with tourists from both home and abroad, especially given that this is such a scenic part of Scotland.”

Five penalty points for driver who rammed a cyclist

A driver has been given five points on his licence, and fined £600, after deliberately ramming a cyclist – but the points were for failing to stop, not for the attack. According to the Richmond & Twickenham Times, “while driving his Jaguar X-type in Sawyer’s Hill, driver Jon Weale pulled up alongside a cyclist and his passenger shouted abuse about who had right of way”. Weale then subsequently drove his car at the cyclist.

Vulpine skewers “buttock clenching” rules

The ‘Rules’ of road cycling, set by an anonymous collective called the Velominati, have become infamous in cycling folklore and have even inspired a book. Now cycling clothing brand Vulpine has set about them with delight, calling them “ridiculous”, “rather stupid”, and “buttock-clenchingly anal”. Instead they propose just two rules: “1: Enjoy your ride. 2: Don’t mess it up for anyone else.” We can get with that.