Above: BBC TV Look North presenter Harry Gration opened Silsden Methodist Church's Bike Festival on June 28. The festival, featuring model bikes created by community groups, is open this weekend and next. Harry, who joined a festival service at the church, told those present: "You have a very special community here in Silsden." He had been impressed when he called at Silsden with colleague Amy Garcia during their Tour de Yorkshire tandem ride for Sport Relief in March. Harry is pictured above with Silsden Methodist Minister the Rev Ruth Crompton. The wooden bikes for the festival were produced at Fab Lab, Keighley. The following exhibits adorned the church.

Above:Team Youth, decorated by members of the Methodist Church's BUDZ group.

Above: Margaret Snell's tribute to Britain's Tour de France winners Chris Froome (2013) and Bradley Wiggins (2012).

Above: Robin Feather, decorated by Janet Smith.

Above: Brenda Bear, decorated by the MOMS Group as a tribute to founder Brenda Carey, who died recently.

 Above: Daddy Messi, made by children of the Methodists' Messy Church.

Above: Team Short, by Tanya and Lucy Short.

Above: Silsden Methodist Church Shell Club member Jessica Hodgson and her mum Lucy are pictured by the Team Fish bike, decorated by club members.

Above: Speedy Rider by John Brown.

Above: Christian Sticker, decorated by Methodist Church members. 

Above: Banksy by William Jowitt.

Above: Memories by residents of the Gables Rest Home.

Above: Team Stokes by Steeton Methodist Junior Church.

Above: Baby Messi by Messy Church children.

 Above: Emz Cavendish by Emily Clark.

Above: Sandy Rider by Eileen Jowitt.

Above: Con Joiner by the Contact Club members.

Above: Pam Spencer admires Team Greenwood by Youth Club members.

Above: Team Amnesty by Silsden Amnesty Group.

Above: Arty Cobbydale by Silsden Art Club members. 

Above: John Shepherd by Junior Church members.

 Above: Junior Messi by Messy Church children.

Above: "Ey by gum, wait for me", by Enid Hyde.

Above: Noah Carpenter by Eileen Jowitt.

Coming to Silsden and going to town: Tour de France enthusiasm spreads (above).

Above: snails on the saddle add to the French flavour of this decorated bike. 

 Above: the Robin Hood scores a bull's eye with these novel wheels. 

 Above: bunting runs the length of Kirkgate.

 Above: a slice of the action at Hill's Bakers. 

Above: a beefed-up window at Isherwood's Butchers. 

 Above: causing a stir at Bilaluci's.

 Above: the Age UK shop looks the part. 

Above: decorated bike the property of the team at estate agent Dale Eddison. Left to right: office manager Jane Knowles-Bristow, sales manager Jeremy Barraclough and sales negotiator Beverley Cuerden. 

Above and right: jumpers galore at Silsden Methodist Church, which is staging a bike festival over the weekends of June 28-29 and July 5-6. BBC TV Look North presenter Harry Gration is due to open the event on the morning of June 28. A series of wall-mounted decorated bikes created by local and church groups will be on display and visitors will also be able to walk a spiritual Cycle Way. 

 Above: smart new signage ready for the tour at barbers Cut Italia.

Above: cyclist with a towering view at St James' Church.

With only two weeks to go before the Tour de France comes through Silsden, shopkeepers, offices and residents stepped up a gear in preparing for the historic day. Above: allez-oops in Kirkgate. 

Above: Ernest Dodding salvaged a throw-out bike and restored it, complete with sequinned saddle, to raise road-improvement funds for the Spencer Avenue Action Group. 

Above: Briggate traders are supporting the push for prominence.

Above: Silsden is sparkling in the sun with bikes high and low. 

Above: at the opposite end of the street is a reminder of Silsden's nail-making past.

 Above: French accessories at barber Jeff's.

Above: The Bodyfix Shop in Briggate went out and about with an exercise bike to encourage people to help staff cycle the 200 km. route which will form stage 2 of the Tour de France on July 6.

Above: the windows at the King's Arms have been decorated with cycling scenes. 

Right: this knitted novelty anticipating the Tour de France is attracting admiring comments from passers-by in a Silsden street. The bike and rider are the work of Mrs Brenda Baldwin, a tireless knitter for good causes and whose inventiveness knows no bounds. The frame is made from pieces of hosepipe and insulating tubes. The decorations are knitted from oddments of wool and include covered mice running up the front wheel and ladybirds escaping down the back tyre.   

A French Boule tournament was held on Sunday, June 15, as part of Silsden's run-up to the Tour de France cycle race, which will come through the town on Sunday, July 6. French dressing was encouraged and there were prizes for the best-dressed team and for the competition winners. The event was held on the lawn by the former library. Above and below: tournament entrants.  

Bike-themed events are taking place between now and July 6. Details are available  on the website www.letour2014.silsden.net 

Above: the momentous occasion is heralded on the St James' Church hall. 

Above: the yellowing of Cobbydale includes the decorating of windows with knitted yellow jerseys, which will eventually go to children in developing countries. 

Above: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Wesley Place has a prominent welcome banner for the famous race.