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Unconfirmed speculation of new #tdf mountains range from Zara #kom #qom #kingofthemountains #queenofthemountains #polkadotjersey #tourdefrance #letour #cyclingkit #mountainstage #letourfemmes #tdff

The Buzz About The Contest

On 6 June 2026, Christchurch Dore hosted the Sheffield Branch Striking Contest.

A bumble bee hovers by the bright yellow Welsh poppies on the edge of Dore churchyard. The tower, which contains 8 bells, is in soft focus in the background.

The winning team of bellringers would go forward to the Sunday Service Band Finals for The Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers. A full write up features as the lead story in The Ringing World, Issue 6008, released on 19 June. Click here for The Ringing World website https://www.ringingworld.co.uk/. This image of Dore church features on the homepage of the RW website for that week in June.

TdF 2027 Volunteer Opportunities

Grand Départ GB launches nationwide search for Tour de France volunteers, 2027. Click here for the official website and application process https://www.letourgb.com/grand-depart-gb-launches-nationwide-search-for-tour-de-france-volunteers/ . Their website explains as follows:

  • Call for 9,000 JOY Makers to be the heartbeat of the historic Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grands Départs in summer 2027 
  • Volunteers needed across all six stages for once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a core part in the world’s biggest annual sporting event when it comes to Britain 
  • Application portal is open now until 1 September 2026 

The nationwide search is on to find 9,000 volunteers across Scotland, England and Wales, who will be at the heart of the historic Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grands Départs in summer 2027, as the application portal officially opens. 

Officially known as JOY Makers, named in line with Grand Départs GB’s social impact programme, volunteers will be the heartbeat of both races, bringing the joy of cycling to fans and communities throughout the six stages, and helping to ensure the sport’s most iconic races runs seamlessly. 

You can apply now to be a JOY Maker for any of the six stages of the 2027 Grands Départs via www.letourgb.com/volunteer with registrations open from Wednesday 27 May until Tuesday 1 September 2026. 

Anyone aged 16 and over is encouraged to apply to be a JOY Maker, with no prior volunteering experience needed to share in this once-in-a-lifetime experience – playing a part in what is set to be Britain’s most-attended sporting event, whilst making lasting memories and developing new skills. A range of roles to support event operations and enhance spectator experience are available on both the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, with full training provided. 

The JOY Makers programme is designed to be accessible to all, from those with experience volunteering at major events and British Cycling activities to first-time volunteers, in particular from underrepresented groups in volunteering, including 16–25-year-olds.   

Those aged 18 to 25 years old will be eligible to join the Readiness to Work scheme, that will be launched as part of the JOY social impact programme. The scheme will provide a comprehensive package of employability skills training and career-focused mentoring across multiple sectors. Coupling this with the volunteering experience will provide young people with a well-rounded and practical work experience offer. 

 Together, the volunteer programme and Readiness to Work scheme aim to leave behind a passionate and skilled collective of volunteers, creating a lasting legacy for the Grands Départs in communities across the country.  In addition to this legacy, British Cycling – supported by partners across the three nations – is urging government to commit £30million critical capital investment to deliver a range of new and upgraded cycling facilities across Britain, reaching underserved communities.  

This investment would supercharge the hugely successful ‘Places to Ride’ programme – a £15m Government investment to cement the legacy of the 2019 UCI Yorkshire Road World Championships – delivering over 150 community cycling projects across England, saving the NHS £13.1m. 

82 miles and more

Peter and Anna were available for lunch. Hmm, I thought, “let’s meet near Ashbourne.” 40 miles each way and a load of beautiful old churches. Thanks to Tim and Damion for tea and coffee stops on the way down. Thanks to The Old Dog at Thorpe and The Bulls Head at Monyash for refreshment on the way back.

Tour of Britain 2024

What a great stage 3 Sheffield to Barnsley. Huge crowds and a nice compact route meaning fans could see it in multiple locations. Thanks to everyone who was up for joining me hooting horns, ringing bells and doing a bit of a dance to the unashamedly loud playlist from my speaker in my panniers. Even the cows in the fields stayed close to enjoy it. Here’s a taste of the day – from Roper Hill, Sheffield (close to the start) and North Lane, Hoylandswaine, 25km from the finish. Plus a bonus visit to the drystone wall bike of Le Tour de France 2014 by Mr Helliwell’s farm on the Hoylandswajne bypass.