What to do in Harrogate the day before Struggle Dales

If you're heading to our Struggle Dales Express Sign-on, make the most of your day in Harrogate with our insider tips on what to do in Harrogate the day before the Struggle Dales Sportive. 

Drink Coffee

At Struggle HQ we love our coffee and in our opinion the best place for a brew in Harrogate is Hoxton North. What’s more, this trendy brunch bar does an awesome bacon, eggs and avocado on sourdough.

They stop serving food at 3pm and in the evening turn into a casual bar. Here you can grab a Cold Bath Beer if you can't wait for one of their refreshing handcrafted brews at the finish line. 

Shop

By shopping we mean bike shopping of course - or at least drooling over your dream machine. Harrogate isn’t short of classy bike shops. Express Sign-on is held at Chevin Cycles where you can check out the latest top-end Treks. What's more you'll find a voucher in your Rider Pack.

Over at Prologue Performance Cycling you can grab a coffee and cake while catching the Giro on the widescreen and drooling over the Cervelo’s and Enve wheels adorning the walls. 

There’s also a Specialised Concept Store showcasing the brand's latest road and MTB steeds.

Eat

From Gino's to Nandos, Harrogate has every chain restaurant you can imagine - all jostling for attention on nearby streets. But what makes Harrogate so special is it’s wealth of long-established local independents.

For lunch we'd recommend Hoxton North's brunch menu or Cafe Marconi's authentic homemade pizza. For dinner book a table at Brio’s Italian for a wholesome bowl full of pasta or again Cafe Marconi.

You can also take advantage of the door-to-door Italian restaurant brands lining Albert Street such as Pizza Express, Prezzo, Ask and Zizi's.

Drink

Although we’re not big drinkers at Struggle HQ we do enjoy a post-ride shandy at one of Harrogate’s many bars and craft ale pubs. Settle your pre-Struggle nerves with a pint at 10 Devonshire Place or North Bar or enjoy a cool Pacifico in the West Park Hotel.

Ride

If you're following our tapering guide you’ll go for a leg loosener on Saturday. We’re lucky that within minutes of leaving Harrogate we’re out in the North Yorkshire countryside. Our usual glass-crank ride is known as the Penny Pot loop taking in the reservoirs.

Prepare

What's most important is that you rest your legs, fuel and hydrate your body, and prepare your mind. Secure your number and top tube sticker on your bike; lay out your kit, nutrition, tools and spares; fill your water bottles and pop them in the fridge; charge your Garmin; go to bed early. See you on the start line!

Express Sign-on is open from 12-4pm at Chevin Cycles, Hydro Unit 4, Hydro Retail Park, Ripon Road, Harrogate, HG1 2BF