A GIANT sporting village sprung up as Cumbria cashed in on a superb week of cycling.

About 1,000 cyclists set up temporary camp in a farmer’s field on the outskirts of Carlisle as they took on an epic challenge.

They left their home from home at East Park, Brisco, yesterday to travel north as the sportsmen and women continued the Deloitte Ride Across Britain, passing through the city centre on their way.

And while the event left many drivers wondering what was going on, others had their attention struck by the sea of green tents pitched at the farm, which is also home to the Cumberland Show.

The temporary site boasted everything that competitors would as they took time out on their 980-mile route from Lands End to John O’ Groats.

It featured facilities to shower and freshen up, as well as catering sections, massages to ease injuries and a cycle repair operation.

A group of about 10 Cumbrian cyclists are understood to have been among those taking part, with many of the entrants raising money for charities.

They began filtering into the site near Carlisle late on Wednesday afternoon and began setting off on their next leg at 7am yesterday.

Riders passed through Upperby and Currock, through the city centre and out via Scotland Road towards a first pit stop at Lockerbie as they headed north towards the Edinburgh area.

The team behind the event - in its tenth year and which will finish on Sunday - were pleased to pass through Carlisle once again.

Speaking as the village startedf filling up, route director Andy Cook said: “The ride is going really well, it’s a massive challenge but everyone is in great spirits.

“Cumbria is one of the most beautiful parts of the route, coming up over Shap fell was just stunning. The views are outstanding. It was a tough day - 116 miles from Haydock to Carlisle is a big ask.

“We have made lots of little improvements across the past decade.

“It is important to adapt to ensure the Ride is as efficient as it can be, and we are providing the best experience for our riders. I think it is shown as our dropout rate is so low comparatively, considering the magnitude of the challenge.”

Chris Clarke is marketing director at Threshold Sports, which supports the challenge.

He said: “At Shap Fell we had the Deloitte cheer squad stationed at the top. It was nice because when you’re going up the hill you can hear the bells ringing down which is nice.

“We have a 1,000 riders. The event sold out - which is the first time - and we’ve already sold 50 per cent of next year, which is insane.

“People do it for either a personal challenge or charities, last year the cyclists raised over a million pounds for charity from the nine days of cycling.

“It’s been really nice in Cumbria, we have had some challenging weather, but when you look over the hedgerows and see the beautiful scenery, rolling hills and old barns its really nice, it makes a big difference.”

The arrival of the Deloitte Ride only served to fuel the buzz surrounding cycling in Cumbria this week, following the return of the Tour of Britain.

Some of the world’s best cyclists were on the county’s roads on Tuesday on a route that took them from Gateshead to Kendal, with crowds lining roadsides as the peloton - which included cycling superstar Mark Cavendish - made its way through places including Brough and Kirkby Stephen in Eden.

Previous visits of the tour - which have included stage starts and finishes in places including Carlisle, Cockermouth and Whinlatter - have brought with them financial boosts running into millions of pounds.