Two workmen arrived at lunchtime at the flower borders at the bottom of Church Street, nothing too unusual about this of course. This was on Wednesday 6th June, 2018, so it was a perfect time to do the work; the weather was good too, with a temperature of 25C.

But what they brought with them was a sight to behold; it was a couple of bikes that were sporting two mannequins riding them.

As the days went by, the bikes were given some more colourful flowers and some adverts on the riders’ backs.

In Hall Park

Also the workmen planted many colourful plants in readiness for the 2018 OVO Women's Cycle Tour; this would be the second leg of the tour going from Rushden to Daventry, on Thursday 14th June.

Stage one started off in the sunny Suffolk town of Framlingham, and then making its way to the iconic seaside town of Southwold; this was the day before on Wednesday 13th June. Sprinting to victory along the seafront on this stage was Jolien D'hoore , who had suffered a broken collar bone some three weeks earlier. Of course one of the tour sponsors, Adnams brewery are based in Southwold.

As our big day drew near, signs went up around Rushden saying that various streets would be shut from 04.00-12 noon.

Those included were between Newton Road and Duck Street, the top of Victoria Road, Queen Street and George Street/Coffee Tavern Lane.

It was good to see the efforts put in by numerous shops and business in the town to make the Women's Tour of 2018 welcome, by putting on varying window displays. One of our shots is of the Salvation Army shop window in Church Street.

Also thanks to our town council for sprucing up the streets; it was noticeable that the street cleaning vehicle was doing several circuits of the town, with Mr Richard Fett at the helm.

An extra chap was brought in for a week to make sure that the pavements were spick and span.

And the race day arrived, rather windy and overcast, but maybe better for the riders, but the sun did come out later.

Hall Park was coming in to swing from 05.00 with various staff and crew going about their mammoth task of making things run smoothly for the event proper.

Luckily there were refreshments for the stewards etc, and we can see them having a welcome cuppa and a bacon roll early in the day.

On to the start of the race, and Rushden Hall Park gave the ladies a big send off, with large crowds enjoying the event in the perfect surroundings of the Park.

Two local girls were lining up together; they were sisters Hannah and Alice Barnes, who were riding for the German team Canyon/Sram Racing.

I watched the race come through Podington, and lost count of the number of police motor bikes that were making sure the riders and crew were safe on their journey towards Daventry. The close up shot of the ladies in action was taken on the corner, near Hornbeam Close in Podington.

In fact it was a real eye-opener to see just what it takes to give us the spectacle of live cycling. Well done to everyone who was a cog in the wheel.

The 91 mile route from Rushden to Daventry ended in a photo finish, with American rider Coryn Rivera being deemed the winner.

Action from the second stage was shown on ITV 4 on the Thursday night at 20.00 for an hour.

The fifth and final leg of the OVO women's tour ended in Wales on Sunday 17^th June, 2018, and ran from Dolgellau to Colwyn Bay.

Sassy Belle - taken in 2019 after a Fire at the Feathers Inn -	with shutters painted for the OVO cycle tour (formerly Quick Turnover)