Community gears up to welcome the Tour of Britain to Sunderland

The Tour, the UK's most prestigious cycling race, is set to bring world-class sporting action to the streets of Sunderland when it comes to the city for the first time on the afternoon of Tuesday 6 September.

Residents at The Mews Care Home in Southburn Terrace, Herrington, are planning their own celebration for the Tour's arrival by decorating the garden of their care home with bunting and a glitzy gold painted bicycle. They're also planning to hold a bike themed afternoon tea party with bicycle themed food, cupcakes and games.

And they plan to line the section of the route near their care home and wave bike themed flags to cheer the riders on as they go past.

Adele Peterson who is Activities Co-ordinator at The Mews, said: "We try to get involved with anything that is going on in Sunderland, so we've been making flags today to wave as the riders go by on Tuesday. I've also found an old bike which I've painted gold and hope to decorate with flowers.

"We also have bike themed bunting, I'm planning to do a balloon arch at the front of the home and on the day we'll be playing games like bike bingo and bike races with miniature bikes. We try to make things nice for the residents and I really hope they enjoy it and get into the spirit of the day." 

The Tour will see more than 100 of the world's best riders from 20 teams taking part in the Men's race with world and national champions, including Olympic champion Tom Pidcock, who will be leading home fan favourites INEOS Grenadiers, team mate Richie Porte, and two-time Tour de France stage winner Dylan Teuns riding for his new Israel - Premier Tech team.

Pidcock previously won the British National under 23 Cyclo-Cross Championship when it was held at Hetton Lyons Country Park in Sunderland in 2018.

Stage Three of the Tour will see more than 100 of the world's best cyclists tackling the 163.6km (101.7m) stage which begins in Durham and culminates outside City Hall in Sunderland City Centre at approximately 15.20 on Tuesday.

The free to attend sporting spectacular is expected to attract large crowds with Keel Square on Mary's Boulevard hosting the official event village from 11am. There spectators will find two big screens to watch the full stage race action before riders arrive at the finish line, catering, event sponsors - Eisberg, Skoda and Fenwick - and exciting activities to get involved in, as well as the podium area where stage winners will be presented to the crowds. 

The race is set to enter Sunderland at Moorsley at approximately 15.00, head towards the A690 Board Inn roundabout and then follow Durham Road towards the city centre, past Barnes Park and Mowbray Park, before finishing at City Hall on St Mary's Boulevard.  

Members of Sunderland's Clarion Cycling Club are also planning to mark the Tour's first visit to the city this Sunday 4 September by riding the stage three route of the Tour from Durham to Sunderland city centre.

Up to six members of the club will be riding the 101 mile stage 3 route of the tour. This starts in Durham, then heads west to the North Pennines before heading back through County Durham and into Sunderland. The route includes three SKODA King of the Mountains climbs at Billy Lane just outside Barnard Castle,  Chapel Fell near the County Durham and Cumbria border and at High Moorsley on the outskirts of Sunderland.

John Coward from the Clarion Cycling Club said: "We reckon we're talking about a 120 mile ride by the time we've taken in the journey from Shiney Row, where we're meeting at 8am, to Durham where we'll be starting the stage three route at 9am. But we'll obviously not be going as fast as the riders on Tuesday and we plan to have a few stops along the way."

Talking about how he got into cycling, John added: "About six or seven years ago the Tour de France came to Yorkshire. Watching it inspired me to get into road cycling. I'm hoping that the Tour of Britain coming to Sunderland will encourage a lot of other people to get into road cycling. 

"If anyone want to get involved with the Clarion Cycling Club just look us up on our website. We put on a series of rides most weekends to cater for different abilities."

Children from East Herrington Primary Academy, whose school is near the route are also planning to line the route and cheer the riders on as they go past.

Headteacher, Mrs Nicola Hair, said: "What a wonderful experience to be able to share with the school community. The Tour of Britain passing so closely to our school is something that we hope the children will remember for a long time to come. It's another opportunity for our children to see a different sport, and who knows one day, one of our children may get to wear the prestigious "Leader's Jersey".

Councillor Linda Williams, Cabinet member for Vibrant City at Sunderland City Council, said: "It's wonderful to see communities across our city getting involved in all the excitement around the tour.

We hope that this event, together with other major sporting events such as the British Triathlon two weeks ago and the Tour Series earlier this summer will inspire more people across our city to take to their bikes as part of our exciting programme of swim bike run activities in the coming years. This is all about encouraging more people to be active and take advantage of our wonderful city, green spaces and fantastic coastline, not to mention all the physical and mental health benefits that being active brings with it."

Temporary road closures will apply on all roads being used for the race route from approximately 2.45pm. Strategic vehicle crossing points will be maintained along the route until the race pack is near. Once the race pack is near a particular section of road, the road will be closed completely until the race has passed. Once it has passed, the road will be reopened.

To allow the stage area finish to be built, road closures will also be in place in the city centre. These include:

- St Mary's Way closed from 06.00 - 19.00 on Tuesday 6 September
- St Mary's car park and Livingstone Road car park closed from 06.00 - 19.00 on Tuesday 6 September 
- Wearmouth Bridge closed from 13.00 to approximately 16.30pm on Tuesday 6 September
- Wearmouth Bridge will remain open for bus routes.
- West Wear Street closed from 13.00 - 16.30

People planning to come along to the event village and finish line are being asked to plan their journey in advance and wherever possible travel use sustainable and active transport options. As parking in the city centre will be limited during the event, spectators are being encouraged to use public transport.

Visit Metro | nexus.org.uk for details of Metro services and Bus timetables | nexus.org.uk  for details of bus services or call Traveline on 08712 002233.

Details of limited car parking nearby can be found at  Car parks - Sunderland City Council. There is also a pay and display car park at The Bridges Sunderland a short walk to Keel Square. Please note St Mary's Car Park and Livingstone Road Car Park will not be accessible on day of the event. 

To keep up to date with the latest on the Tour visit:  Tour of Britain stage finish - MySunderland