Leeds shopping centre's giant rooftop bike to celebrate Tour de Yorkshire return '˜can be seen from space'
Squeezed along The Headrow and bursting with excitement beside Leeds Town Hall, thousands of on-lookers watched as cycling's elite riders began their pursuit of glory in the world-famous Grand Départ.
Far more than just a sporting spectacle, Leeds’s clamour and pride at hosting the start of the Tour de France in 2014 gave birth to a legacy that would spark a cycling boom across the region: the Tour de Yorkshire.
In four days, the peloton will once again thunder through the city centre for the first time since 2014 as Leeds hosts the closing stage of the now-annual race.
And to celebrate the Tour de Yorkshire’s city centre return, Trinity Leeds has now unveiled a 31-metre-wide yellow bicycle sprawled along the shopping centre’s glass dome-style roof, in a spectacular throwback to the Grand Depart.
It was revealed by Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of the Welcome to Yorkshire tourism organisation, which arranges the Tour de Yorkshire race.
And it is claimed the impressive bike can be seen from space!
“It really is inspiring to see the huge efforts people are going to get into the spirit of the Tour de Yorkshire – and talking of huge efforts, this yellow bike is enormous,” Sir Gary told the YEP.
“The race is a fantastic way to showcase Yorkshire across the world – and now we can showcase our magnificent county out of this world too, as incredibly, the bike could even be seen from space.
“It’s a great achievement from the team at Trinity Leeds.”
Created by Halifax firm Sand in Your Eye, the eye-catching 80-piece jigsaw vinyl was installed by abseilers from Leeds-based PLA Window Cleaning Services.
For those wanting to get into the spirit of Le Tour on the ground, the shopping centre has also set up Tour de Yorkshire ‘selfie spots’, where visitors can snap pictures of themselves with the impressive yellow feature in the background.
Meanwhile, as the starting line approaches, a free Eve of Tour celebration is being organised in Millennium Square tonight.
Visitors will hear from cycling star Mark Cavendish and reigning champion Serge Pauwels after the 60-strong West Yorkshire Rock Choir takes over the square to open proceedings at 6pm.
It will also feature DJ Stephanie Hirst, Leeds band The Dunwells and a host of cycling veterans.