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When it was announced the Grand Depart (the first stages) of the Tour de France would be held in Yorkshire in 2014, there was a huge buzz that our little part of East Yorkshire would be included in the itinerary.
When the route was finally revealed, we were all very disappointed to find that not only was the nearest point over 30 miles away, but the whole of East Yorkshire had been bypassed.
Despite this, it was a proud moment for the county and the whole of the East Riding got in the mood and the three days in which the world's top cyclists wound their way through the beautiful countryside was a sight to behold. Tourists and locals alike flocked to see the race and it was a huge success.
To ride off the back of this, it was announced that a Tour de Yorkshire race would be held in 2015 and to our delight, the East Riding would form an integral part of the route. We were even more delighted to find out that race would start within a mile of our home, just outside of Bridlington.
With about a month to go, businesses, homes and guest houses throughout the area started to put up yellow and blue bunting (the colours of the event) and yellow and blue bicycles started appearing at random locations throughout the town and even in the country.
I took the day off to watch the start of the race, and it was a typically on/off kind of day when it came to the weather. With about an hour to go, we wandered round to the official starting point. Crowds were already lining the streets near our house and there was a great buzz of anticipation, with people set up with cameras.
We decided to go view the race from just outside our local farm shop. There was a small, raised grass bank and we could also nip in and get a much-needed cup of tea.
With just minutes to go until the riders were due to pass by, we found that our youngest had managed to spill her juice and was now sat in a wet pair of leggings. So C did a very quick side-of-the-road change and wrapped her in a cagoule, very generously donated by one of her friends.
Suddenly a whole fleet of police outriders came by in a swoosh, throttles open, clearly enjoying themselves! Then a few cars, before we finally spotted the cyclists coming round the corner.
I started clicking away with my camera (although modern digital cameras don't make a "click" anymore) as the massed rank of cyclists whizzed by in a blur, closely followed by a whole range of team cars with spare bikes strapped to the roof.
As quickly as they had arrived, then they were gone again. The roads returned to normal and the crowds started drifting away. Literally an hour's build up, for just 30 seconds of excitement!
But it had been a good day. The local community had come out in force, people were enjoying themselves and it felt that we had witnessed a bit of history. Plus, the sun suddenly decided to make a rare appearance!
With about a month to go, businesses, homes and guest houses throughout the area started to put up yellow and blue bunting (the colours of the event) and yellow and blue bicycles started appearing at random locations throughout the town and even in the country.