'People will talk about the day the Tour of Britain came through'

Communities across North Yorkshire are preparing to welcome the Tour of Britain men's cycling race on Saturday.

The fourth stage of the men's tour will start in Helmsley, with the cyclists travelling through Ripon on their way to the Yorkshire Dales before finishing in Leyburn.

Stretching approximately 103 miles (166km) with 8,800ft (2,699m) of elevation, it is expected to be the race's most challenging day and "could play a key role in deciding the overall winner" of the competition, according to British Cycling.

Almost £10,000 has been awarded to towns and villages along the route to enable them to create community displays and decorations celebrating the race's visit to the area.

After setting off from Helmsley in the North York Moors at 11:00 BST, the route passes through the towns of Easingwold at 11:35 and Boroughbridge at about 11:55, before reaching Ripon at about 12:20 and then heading into the Yorkshire Dales.

After Pateley Bridge at about 12:45, the cyclists will face what Stuart Price, owner of the Dales Bike Centre, says is a "fairly brutal climb" up Greenhow Bank towards Grassington at about 13:10.

Heading north, the challenges continue with Kidstones Pass (13:35) taking the participants into Wensleydale and past what Price says is the "really pretty" Aysgarth Falls at about 13:50.

Climbing over Greets Moss, there is what Price describes as a "sketchy descent towards the village of Grinton", passing about 1,000ft (300m) from his business at approximately 14:10.

"Then it's going to turn right, go up what the Tour de France called the 'Côte de Grinton Moor'," Price says.

"It's almost like a little amphitheatre up there, and the crowds and the spectators up there it's going to be a really good atmosphere."

After a large loop around part of Wensleydale, there is one final incline towards the finish line in Leyburn - which has not hosted the end of the Tour of Britain in the race's modern history - at about 15:10.

Jim McRobert, part of the Leyburn Cycling Group, says: "The recognition that we have some of the best cycling in Yorkshire and certainly in the country is testament to why we've been awarded the finish for what is the hardest stage of the tour."

"What an epic and iconic place to finish," he adds.

Most of the route will be subject to rolling road closures, with warning signs displayed at the side of the road to warn drivers.

Parking suspensions will also be in place, indicated by yellow signs.

Fixed road closures will be in place on Greenhow Hill from Pateley Bridge to Greenhow (11:00 to 14:00), on the southbound B6160 Bishopdale before Buckden (12:30 to 14:30) and at Greets Moss and Grinton Moor (12:30 to 15:00).

Diversions will be in place for all three.

Permanent closures will also be in place throughout the morning in Helmsley.

Diversion routes will be in place in and around Leyburn all day, with drivers warned to allow extra time.

A full list of road closure times is available on the British Cycling website.

In Helmsley, cycling fans have been invited to "dress up, bring a chair, join in", the town council says.

A free BMX pump track is being staged for children, alongside street performers and a fancy dress competition.

Following the race start, an activity day will launch of the year-long Heart of Helmsley project.

Town council chair Carol Swift says the entertainment and decorations will "create a real sense of occasion for residents and visitors alike".

A "fantastic occasion" is promised in Leyburn, according to McRobert, and that is despite the town normally being "a very sleepy, quiet place", he says.

Arriving in the town, the peloton will pass the Wonky Tree Bookshop, co-owned by keen cyclist Alan Flack.

"We are about 10 yards from the line, so, for us, it's particularly exciting," he says.

"Hopefully we'll be on telly."

Flack has been part of a group working with the town council to plan celebrations.

As well as a big screen to watch the race, the group has organised entertainment and food stalls.

"It gives the town the opportunity to show itself off for 3,000 to 4,000 people," he says.

"People still to this day talk about the day the Tour de France came through," says Price, referring to the famous cycling race's visit to Yorkshire back in 2014.

"Hopefully, after Saturday, people will be talking about the day the Tour of Britain came through."

Price says that as well as a busy day on Saturday, organising parking for people to watch the race and welcoming visitors, he is "definitely" expecting longer term benefits.

"People will want to come and ride this area," he says.

"Swaledale is such a stunning area to ride road bikes and mountain bikes."

Councillor Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, says the event will be "a fantastic opportunity to showcase everything that makes North Yorkshire such a special place to live, work and visit".

It promises to "bring people together and create a memorable experience", he adds.

David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, says there will be an "electric atmosphere right across the county".

"We'll be showing off the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales and the vibrant communities that call these spectacular places home on a global stage," he says.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.