East Lindsey prepares to welcome second stage of men's Tour of Britain cycle race

The bunting will be out and the cowbells ringing as communities throughout the district greet riders along a route which takes them through many of the district’s towns and villages.

It’s an historic first for East Lindsey as it hosts the British Cycling-run race for the first time in the modern era and likewise for Boston which is the start point for the day’s racing.

Communities along the route have been busy creating a memorable welcome for riders, support teams and spectators by decorating their towns and villages with cycling-themed displays.

Amid the beautiful Lincolnshire Wolds backdrop and close by, nine pieces of land art will feature along the route encapsulating some of the iconic themes and characters, historic and fictional, that are synonymous with east and south Lincolnshire.

From poet laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson to botanist and explorer Sir Joseph Banks and the seaside favourite, the Jolly Fisherman - all will be depicted at various points along the way with the Stage Two race winner’s name being carved into the Skegness sand at the finish.

Locations on the route in sequence, starting in Boston, are: Cowbridge; Frithville; Carrington; New Bolingbroke; Revesby; Marsham le Fen; Tumby; Coningsby; Tattershall; Woodhall Spa; Kirkby on Bain; Haltham; Horncastle; Baumber; Langton by Wragby; Wragby; West Barkwith; East Barkwith; Hainton; Kirmond le Mire; Binbrook; Utterby; Louth; Manby; Saltfleetby St Peter; Theddlethorpe All Saints; Mablethorpe; Trusthorpe; Sutton-on-Sea; Hannah; Markby; Bilsby; Alford; Ulceby Cross; Dexthorpe; Dalby; Dalby Hall; Partney; Spilsby; Skegness.

There are specifically timed closures at the finish in Skegness and rolling road closures along the route. Motorists may face some delays and are advised to consider alternative routes in getting to their destinations. The race starts at 10.30am in Boston Market Place and is expected to finish in Skegness around 3pm.

The finish is at Skegness Grand Parade and there will be features and points of interest in Tower Gardens and off Grand Parade.

These will include:

• Outspoken Cycles with smoothie bike, pedal powered Scalextric and pedal powered bubble machine

• One You Lincolnshire

• ELDC Tourism

• Tredz (British Cycling)

• Cycle Exchange (British Cycling)

• RNLI

• Michaela Face Painting and Bike Stencil face paints

• Active Lincs bike tagging

• South And East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership: Promoting cycle packs, visibility cycling and environment/wellbeing benefits of cycling.

• Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

• Village Church Farm Museum

• British Divers Marine Life Rescue

• Toys and crafts.

There is also a rich and varied line up of entertainment including the Misfits circus workshops, roaming cycle-themed theatre from the Earthbound Misfits, and more circus skills from Creative Heights.

Stan’s Café - the Commentators, will provide a sideshow of humour, there’s bike ballet from Strictly Cycling, as well as cycle painting workshops.

DJ Alex will oversee the decks in Tower Gardens, and there will be live music from Kin Ruin, singer songwriter Henry Winterton, Nicola Moakes and Max Sander. There’s also the Big Top Silent Disco, a fitness zone and a fairy bike trail.

East Lindsey District Council Leader Councillor Craig Leyland said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming international class cycling right into the heart of our communities and there is a real sense of excitement as the day of their arrival nears.

“We welcome all the cyclists, the teams and visitors to our part of Lincolnshire and love the fact that the organisers, British Cycling, has chosen to experience the culture and countryside of our fabulous county for this epic sporting challenge.”

Portfolio Holder for Market Towns and the Rural Economy, Councillor Adam Grist, said: “The route has been cleverly devised to include so many of our towns and villages and many will be close to the big race action. This will be the day that the international sporting spotlight will shine on so many of our communities and I know they are ready to embrace it.”

Councillor Steve Kirk, Portfolio Holder for the Coastal Economy, added: “Our business community knows how to welcome visitors and is geared up for this brilliant event. We can’t wait to see the riders. This will be a truly memorable day and one which will stand out for years to come.”

Stage One takes place in the Lincoln area the previous day.

Explore the route

Residents and cycling enthusiasts can explore the full Stage Two route online. Detailed maps are available through the official route resources, allowing communities to see exactly where the riders will pass through the district. A digital version of the route is also available for cyclists wishing to experience the stage themselves via the associated mapping links shared by organisers. Further information and route details can be viewed through the official stage map and online route platforms.

For a map of Stage Two go to https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55125298?privacy_code=iE813nVC7WSzHuHn3KL1WkVqmzVuu8wl

British Cycling: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/tourofbritain/men/stagetwo

For route timings: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/tour-britain/route-timings?

Road closures (Skegness only):

A number of roads in and around the town are expected to be busy. For safety reasons the following roads will be closed from 4am to 6pm: Lumley Road, Grand Parade and North Parade. In addition, Wainfleet Road will be closed for approximately 40 minutes sometime between 2.25–3.45pm. There will also be several car parks closed for the event from 4am-8pm. These include North End, Pier Side and the north of Festival Car Park. All other ELDC car parks within the town will remain open on the day, including the Embassy Swimming Pool car park with access to Tower Esplanade from South Parade using temporary traffic lights. For further information on the route and road closures see https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/tourofbritain/info/roadclosures

Allow extra time for your journeys on this day.

The taxi ranks within these locations will also be closed during these periods.