Kendal wheels in Tour of Britain

Visitors to the historic market town of Kendal, in South Cumbria, on Friday, September 14, can enjoy the sight of world class cyclists competing amidst the drama of race competition, as well as walkabouts from much loved children’s story-book characters, as the penultimate stage of the Tour of Britain 2007 becomes part of a free-to-attend and truly 'mint' occasion.

At the gateway to the Lake District, Kendal is perfectly placed to provide Tour of Britain cyclists with a challenging finish to Stage Five of the world class cycling event as they enter a town renowned for its cobbled streets, intriguing hidden yards, vibrant café culture scene and speciality shops.

The spectacle of famous cyclists and Olympians crossing the finishing line in the town's Greenside area, at around 2.15 pm on is one that will follow a steep climb up the town's Beast Banks and a programme of entertainment for all the family.

Younger visitors will also be thrilled. Postman Pat and Jess the Cat will be assisting at the start of ‘The Great Greenside Race’, a specially organised tricycle race for children, with inspiration being drawn from the original story of ‘Postman Pat and the Great Greendale Race’, where pedal power wins the day. Postman Pat and Jess the Cat will also be meeting spectators on Greenside and be invited to watch the finish of the Tour of Britain cycle race and greet the winners.

The stories of Postman Pat and Jess the Cat were originally based on the Post Office in Greenside, Kendal and John Cunliffe, the author, lived at 32 Greenside, which is where the cyclists will be crossing the finishing line.

Winners of the children’s race will also be able to revel in another inimitable Kendal offering - Kendal Mint Cake, courtesy of locally-based confectioners, Quiggins.

An exciting and educational cycling skills session will be organised by the British Cycling Association and Wheelbase of Staveley, near Kendal. This will allow kids from local schools to work in teams and get hooked by the thrill of being on two wheels, as well as providing a focus of interest for visitors.

The arrival of the Tour of Britain in Kendal coincides with the 38th Annual Kendal Torchlight Carnival. This free, evening event will kick off at around 6.45 pm and involve street art performers, as well as a procession of Bygone Bikes, such as Pennyfarthings and Boneshakers, traditional and folk-dancing teams, ten teams of heavy and working horses and drays from the 1900s and large and miniature steam engines.

There will also be a fairground, floats decorated to suit this year's theme of People of the World, marching pipe and display bands and internationally acclaimed carnival groups, including The Barracudas Bay Beat and Liverpool Samba School, bringing a touch of the Caribbean and Rio de Janeiro, to the streets of Kendal.

The roots of this event lay in times gone by when rural folk would head to Kendal to stock up with provisions for the winter. Whilst in the "Auld Grey Town", so named because of its limestone buildings, they would gather by the River Kent, gossiping, telling tales and celebrating the arrival of Autumn.

More information about the Tour of Britain is available on Tourofbritain.co.uk, with details of the Torchlight Carnival at Kendaltorchlightcarnival.co.uk.

Visitors wishing to make a weekend of it, in the beautiful Lake District, can find accommodation through Lakelandgateway.info or Golakes.co.uk.