Keswick is set to mark one year until the Tour de France with a free community cycling event.
The Keswick Tourism Association is inviting residents, visitors and cycling enthusiasts to join a free community celebration on Friday 3 July 2026 – marking exactly one year before the event comes to Cumbria.
The event, which will be centred around Fitz Park and Café HNW, will bring together cyclists of all abilities, local businesses and the wider community to celebrate what promises to be one of the biggest sporting events ever to visit the area.
In partnership with Ultimate Cycling Adventures, a free community ride will take place during the evening, with three route options available to suit cyclists of all abilities whilst following part of the proposed Tour de France route through the Northern Lakes.
Participants will be able to choose from:
- Tour de France Route (45km) – A challenging route for keen cyclists, travelling from Keswick to Grasmere via Dunmail Raise before returning via Thirlmere and St John’s in the Vale to Fitz Park
- Intermediate Route (35km) – A shorter option travelling from Keswick to the southern end of Thirlmere Reservoir before returning via the reservoir road and St John’s in the Vale to Fitz Park
- Family & Leisure Route (17km) – A more accessible route travelling from Keswick to Legburthwaite and back via St John’s in the Vale to Fitz Park.
All routes will begin with a guided rollout from Keswick before riders continue along their chosen route.
Ride support throughout the event will be provided by Ultimate Cycling Adventures.
All three routes will finish in Fitz Park, where participants and spectators will be welcomed to continue the celebrations at Café HNW.
As part of the evening, Café HNW will host an after-party featuring live music, refreshments and a fantastic social atmosphere as the community comes together to celebrate the countdown to the Tour de France.
The event is completely free to attend. However, participants are asked to register in advance via the event registration link, KTA social media channels or the KTA website to help organisers manage numbers and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
GPX route files for all rides will be emailed to registered participants one week before the event.
Jack Beament, Keswick Tourism Association manager, said: “The Tour de France coming to Keswick is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our town and the wider Northern Lakes.
“We wanted to create an event that brings the community together, celebrates our incredible cycling landscape and starts building excitement exactly one year before the race arrives.
“By offering three route options, we hope to make the event accessible to as many people as possible, whether you’re an experienced cyclist looking to tackle a longer ride or simply wanting to enjoy a shorter route with family and friends.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Ultimate Cycling Adventures and Café HNW for helping make the event possible and we look forward to welcoming riders from across Cumbria and beyond.”
The event will also provide an opportunity for local businesses and community members to learn more about the work of the Keswick Tourism Association and the opportunities that the Tour de France will bring to the area in 2027.
KTA is also encouraging members and volunteers who would like to assist with marshalling or supporting the event to get in touch.
Further details, including registration information and event timings, will be announced in the coming days.
