‘PLAN ahead’ is the message being sent out by North Yorkshire County Council ahead of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire.

The cycling extravaganza takes place next weekend from Friday to Sunday, and stage one will see the elite cyclists race from Bridlington to Scarborough, passing through Ryedale and Scarborough districts.

Stage two will get under way in Tadcaster and finish in Harrogate, and travel through Knaresborough and Wetherby.

North Yorkshire County Council’s corporate director for business and environmental services, David Bowe, said: “To make the most of this great event, planning your Tour de Yorkshire day out will help you to enjoy the race and stay safe, spectators are encouraged to walk or cycle instead of driving to locations on the route and to behave responsibly.”

Spectators are asked to avoid standing on sections of the route that are narrow, have no verge or which have walls with a drop behind them.

The council also says people should keep to footpaths and protect dry stone walls by avoiding climbing, standing or sitting on them.