CYCLISTS are being urged to saddle up for an annual charity bike ride and follow in the tyre tracks of the Tour de France competitors.

The route of this year's Bronte Sportive, in aid of Manorlands, has been amended to take in sections covered last Sunday by the Grand Depart riders.

The event, being staged on July 20, offers entrants four rides to choose from – 88 miles, 71.5 miles, 55 or 23.

About a third of the longest route includesTour terrain, and even the shortest shares seven miles.

Among the sections covered will be Haworth's famous Main Street.

"Obviously there won’t be the thousands of people lining the route but the bunting and decorated bikes are still out, the land art is in the fields and the roads still have all the painted messages for the riders," said Manorlands-based Sue Ryder regional fundraiser, Andrew Wood.

"This is a great time to sample the feeling of being a Tour de France rider and support a great cause in the process."

The Bronte Sportive starts and finishes at Keighley Campus Leeds City College.

Each participant will receive a barbecue meal, goody bag and medal.

Main sponsor for the fourth year running is All Terrain Cycles.

Its managing director, Tony Booth, said: “Sue Ryder does a massive amount of good work through its hospices at Manorlands in Oxenhope and Wheatfields in Leeds, both of which are close to our Saltaire headquarters.

"We are hoping as many people as possible will turn out to support this great post-Tour challenge.”

Visit brontesportive.org.uk for further information and to sign-up. More details can also be obtained from Mr Wood on 01535 640430 or andrew.wood@sueryder.org.