THOUSANDS of people will get a chance to see the Tour of Britain as it passes through North Devon next Thursday, September 17.

There are plenty of good vantage points for spectators to see the action up close.

Some of the most exciting racing will be found during the King of the Mountain and Sprint sections of the race.

Stage Six, which stretches from Frome to Bideford, has a sprint at Bridgwater, followed by two King of the Mountains climbs at Enmore and Dulverton.

But across the entire route spectators will be spoilt for choice of great locations to view the race.

Stage Six also includes Bampton town centre, Challacombe on Exmoor, Bratton Fleming, Barnstaple town centre, Instow and East-the-Water as well as the excitement of the finish at Bideford Quay.

In Barnstaple, riders will go through Goodleigh Road and Bear Street, turning right onto the Inner Relief Road to Mermaid Cross, then North Walk to Castle Street and on to The Strand.

The Strand will be shut to all traffic from 10am and will provide one of the best spots to view the race in the town.

The race will then move onto Barnstaple Longbridge, Station Road, past Barnstaple Railway Station, and will pass under the new Western Bypass and up Sticklepath Hill, before heading out onto Bickington Road.

For anyone wanting to see the Stage Six finish at Bideford Quay at around 3pm, arrive in plenty of time. Spectators are advised to use a free park and ride service that will run every 15 minutes between The Big Sheep at Abbotsham and Pill Road car park near Bideford Quay.

It will operate from 10am to 6pm and provides parking for 1,000 vehicles.

Spectators who want to watch the cyclists ahead of the finish can plan their day using the following projected times:

Thursday

Petton — 12:43; Shillingford – 12:48; Bampton – 12:52; Oakford Bridge – 12:59; Exebridge – 13:03; Eastcombe – 13:04; Challacombe – 13:57; Bratton Fleming – 14:10; Snapper – 14:21; Barnstaple – 14:24; Bickington – 14:35; Fremington – 14:38; Yelland – 14:42; Instow – 14:44; Bideford – 14:53.

Friday

Hatherleigh – 10:15; Okehampton – 10:20; Bow – 10:45; Copplestone – 10:53; Crediton — 11:02; Cadbury – 11:19; Tiverton – 11:32; Halberton – 11:43; Willand – 11:47; Dulford – 12:01; Colliton – 12:05; Awliscombe – 12:13; Honiton – 12:17; Sidbury – 12:32; Sidford – 12:35; Seaton – 12:52; Axmouth – 12:58; Musbury – 13:05; Axminster – 13:10; Tytherleigh – 13:21.

● For more information about the South West stages of The Tour of Britain visit: www.southwesttourofbritain.co.uk.