Read the story behind how the videos for this website were created

There’s always something magnificent (and exhausting!) watching the UK’s top veteran cyclist Jamie Sharp attack a 33% gradient uphill or streak down in to a dale at over 50mph.

Now in to the third year of working with various local authorities and organisations to produce the Cycle Yorkshire web app (previously a mobile app) it’s always surprising when we get lucky with the weather.  This year was no exception with mostly blue sky and sun during our three days of filming. This isn’t just so we can better enjoy the scenery Yorkshire has to offer, from the haunting beauty of the North York Moors to the rugged landscapes of West Yorkshire, it is because the one thing that will ruin us is water on the lens of the cameras!

We film with two Go-Pro cameras, one mounted to Jamie’s helmet and the other to the windshield of a police bike. The intention is to show how Jamie tackles the most challenging sections of the Tour de Yorkshire stages to better inform amateur cyclists in their approach. The increased popularity of cycling has led to an increase in serious accidents and even deaths when riders over extend themselves or simply don’t take in to account the geography of the area they are cycling through.

Blind summits, hairpin bends, narrow roads, stretches of road with strong cross winds and surface water, areas with heavy traffic, even sheep are just a few examples of the hazards cyclists need to be prepared for.

The two camera positions give us both Jamie’s point of view and allow the viewer to see his posture and road positioning. We work with North Yorkshire police who provide us with a police motor cycle which allows the second camera to get much closer behind Jamie than we would be able to do in a car. The skill of the police rider means he can match Jamie’s speed and road positioning even around the tightest of corners.

The videos and information we are providing are important not because the routes themselves are popular with cyclists but because during the Tour de Yorkshire road closures are in force.  Cyclists enjoying the stages at any other time are not afforded this luxury and need to contend with the usual regular traffic.

We hope you find these videos useful and informative.  Happy cycling and stay safe while trying to beat your Strava!