Call for riders for 'Ghost Peloton' Tour de France Grand Départ cycling art project

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans is calling for experienced cyclists to take part in Ghost Peloton, a dance-art collaboration that will be performed at the 2014 Yorkshire Festival.

Ghost Peloton was announced alongside the schedule for the 100-day festival, which will mark the countdown to the Tour de France Grand Départ being hosted by Yorkshire this year.

The performance-film crossover, Ghost Pelotonwill be a 45 minute choreographed live event involving 50 cyclists in LED light suits alongside a monumental filmed presentation consisting of 10 dancers, also in light suits.

The illuminated riders will start at five separate points at a five mile radius from Waide’s Yard in Leeds. The performers will then make their way along five representative paths of the National Cycle network to congregate in the performance space.

The project has come together as a collaboration between Leeds-based dance troupe Phoenix Dance and Scottish arts charity NVA who created a similar project called Speed of Light for the Edinburgh Festival in 2012.

Executive Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre, Lesley Jackson, expressed her excitement at the platform her dancers have been given.

“We are thrilled that the Yorkshire Festival will create brand new experiences for Yorkshire’s cyclists and dancers,” she said.

“Through parallel talents of balance, endurance and supreme athleticism, Ghost Peloton will expose Phoenix dancers to the world of cycling and introduce the county’s cyclists to contemporary dance.”

Sustrans has been brought in to help identify National Cycle Network routes for filming, and to help recruit volunteer marshals and riders for the performance.

Paul Osborne of Sustrans in Yorkshire also expressed his excitement for the project and the legacy of the Tour de France’s visit to Yorkshire.
 
He said: “This will be a stunning celebration of cycling; creating images and memories which will last long after the Tour comes to Yorkshire.

“With the Peloton made up in part by Sustrans volunteers and following sections of the National Cycle Network, we are delighted to play our part by engaging with the local cycling community.”

Ghost Peloton will take place on the 16th and 17th May in Leeds and has been billed as a headline event for the festival that will celebrate Yorkshire culture and heritage.

A short film of the Ghost Peloton riding on the Tour de France route will be broadcast during the Grand Départ in July.

Those who are interested in applying as a volunteer for Ghost Peloton, should contact Sustrans at volunteers-yorks [at] sustrans.org.uk or by telephone on 0113 245 0006. Volunteers must be available for rehearsals in the run up to the festival as well as the two dates of performance in Leeds.