It's back this year and the route of stage 2 comes incredibly close to Sheffield, well within a not unreasonable cycling distance from the city.
The race this year passes through Conisborough on Saturday 30th April only 16 miles from us here at the Station. We really recommend that you head out to watch the event, the atmosphere is amazing just like 2014 all over again. To help you we've produced a guide to the event that takes a more leisurely route through Sheffield and Rotherham.
This route is the most direct using cycle paths and side roads wherever possible and takes you along the Five Weirs Walk, there are alternative roads that run alongside of the Walk. Some parts of the Walk are currently closed due to flood defence works so please take extra care along this route and follow diversions where required.
Starting from the Sheffield Railway Station head to Park Square roundabout going around it on the cycle path or over the bridge, coming right off there will bring you alongside the canal. Follow this until you come to Sussex Street and then head up Sussex Road where you can either join the Five Weirs Walk or use Effingham Road (Attercliffe road or Brightside lane all the way to Meadowhall).
Continue on the Five Weirs Walk or adjoining roads until you get to Meadowhall, Go around Meadowhall to the Tinsley tram stop where behind it you can cross over the footbridge and join the River Don and the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation which you follow all the way through Rotherham (3-4 miles) until you meet Rotherham road and then turn left to head to Parkgate Shopping Park.
Alternatively you can cross over the Don and join Sheffield Road, however this is a busy main road, including roundabouts and leads you into the centre of Rotherham. On this route go straight on at all the roundabouts and continue on Sheffield road/Westgate, left onto corporation street through the bus station and then follow signs to Parkgate Shopping Park.
Going past Parkgate Shopping Park continue along Rotherham Road through Parkgate, you can keep using the side roads to get off the main road and to go around the roundabout. After Parkgate head to Rawmarsh, turn right onto Netherfield Lane and then 3rd left onto Barber’s Avenue. Continue down Barber’s Avenue until the end, turn right onto Green Lane.
Follow this road till the end then turn right onto Kilnhurst Road. Keep on this road till you get to the junction where you turn right onto Hooton Road follow this till its end. Turn left onto Doncaster Road (A630) Please take care on this road as it is a busy main road, there are some cycle lanes. Take the second left (after 1 mile) onto Old Road where you can follow all the way to Conisbrough Castle and pitch up to enjoy the race.
We estimate it will take just under 2 hours at a leisurely pace to get to the event following this route. The race passes this point at about 4.30pm so you've got plenty of time to get there and get a pitch.
Our shop at Sheffield Station will be open from 9am on Saturday 30th April for the hire of bikes if you want to head off to the event.
By clicking the square in the top right corner of the map below will open the route in Google Maps. You can also share this route with friends by clicking the share button at the bottom of this page.
As an alternative and if you have more time you may wish to follow the longer scenic route along the National Cycle Network that is signposted throughout. Follow route 67 to Brampton then take route 62 to Conisborough. This is a longer route and could take upto 3 hours so make sure you give yourself plenty of time.
Happy cycling!