A HUGE pat on the back is deserved by the people responsible for the fantastic bicycle-themed display on the roundabout as you come into (or leave, depending on your direction of travel) Ulverston.

Even those enduring the tooth-grindingly infuriating delays thanks to yet another set of roadworks on the A590 just outside the town will find their spirits lifted as they catch sight of the cute and quirky bikes (and the central display of colourful flags) arranged on the town's main roundabout - there to celebrate this week's big local event: the arrival of the Tour of Britain cycle race.

With Tour de France winners Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas expected to be among the riders pedal-powering their way through south Cumbria on Friday, it's great to see our towns embracing this major event.

As a recent convert myself to the joys of cycle grand tours as a spectator sport, I absolutely get how excited so many people are about the prospect of our area hosting one of the stages of the race. OK, Barrow might not have the charm of, say, Chantilly or any number of ancient towns the Tour de France takes in (yes, I am one of those Tour de France viewers who watches mainly for the sumptuous aerial shots of the French landscape), but stage 6 of the race, which starts in Barrow - and which will undoubtedly draw a crowd of thousands - will take in some of the best views our country has to offer.

From Barrow, along the coast road and through Ulverston - and I do hope Geraint and his Lycra-clad pals get a chance to appreciate that marvellous roundabout display - the cyclists will head to Hawkshead, Dunmail Raise and Whinlatter Pass, with a summit finish thrown in for good measure at Whinlatter. Exciting stuff, guaranteed to thrill the no-doubt huge audience, both those there in person and those watching from the comfort of their sofas.

Big national events such as these rarely touch our area. So it is important that we do our utmost to celebrate them when we can. I have no doubt that the people of Furness and south Cumbria will put on a superb welcome for these elite athletes; and the benefits to the area should be enjoyed, however fleeting they may be.

It is a huge deal for Barrow to be hosting a stage of the Tour of Britain for the first time. Thanks to home-grown cycling stars such as Bradley Wiggins, Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and, of course, Geraint Thomas, the sport is at an all time high in terms of popularity; and it is far from minority viewing on the channels which broadcast events such as the Tour of Britain.

I'm sure south Cumbria will put every wheel in motion to make Friday a very special - and very memorable - day for the visiting cyclists and for the thousands of spectators who turn out to watch.

It's fantastic for sport and it's fantastic for this area. Sadly, it's not so fantastic for me: I'll be at work and will miss the entire thing. Still, at least I can enjoy that marvellous display on the Ulverston roundabout.