AS eager cyclists gear up for the 101st Tour de France this weekend, countless holidaymakers throughout the UK will no doubt be inspired to get on their bikes. The fact this year’s Grand Depart will be on British soil has further fuelled interest up and down the country, with particular interest in areas through which the famous route will run.

Ever since England swept the velodrome with a glittering array of medals at the London 2012 Olympics, humble pedal-pushers have been inspired by the achievements of Bradley Wiggins, Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and Laura Trott.

Not only has the number of cyclists on UK roads increased (the number of London residents cycling to work has doubled, according to a report by the Office of National Statistics), but more people are also booking bike-themed breaks abroad.

Specialist activity tour operator Macs Adventure (macsadventure.

com) has reported bookings for bike holidays have risen by 91 per cent compared with this time last year.

Neil Lapping, chief adventure officer for the firm, puts the surge of interest down to the rediscovery of a childhood pleasure, the success of competitive British cycling, and public health messages to be more active.

Holidays on two wheels give people a chance to see the scenery close up and to return fitter, with a sense of achievement, he says.

Macs Adventure have 71 cycling itineraries, including a seven-night Classic Dordogne trip (£695pp), where the final stage of the Tour de France will take place on July 26.

Far less strenuous than the grand race, their itinerary includes a visit to Unesco World Heritage caves and dining in fine restaurants.

Explore (explore.co.uk) offer a similarly leisurely eight-day Gourmet Cycle to Bordeaux tour with departures in September (£1,187pp), along with far-flung options such as their nine-day Southern Thailand by Bike tour, with departures in August and October (£1,580pp).

Closer to home, charity Sustrans has launched The Slow Tour of Yorkshire, a series of free maps featuring 21 of the best cycle routes in Yorkshire. Maps can be downloaded from Sustrans.org.uk/slowtourof yorkshire and follow routes along converted railway paths, quiet canal towpaths and past historic buildings. The charity will also be opening its 1,000th mile of National Cycle Network routes in Yorkshire at Castleford Greenway.

If you prefer to enjoy cycling as a spectator sport, a number of properties still have last-minute availability for the Tour de France race. Sawdays (sawdays.co.uk; 07957 144467) still have availability for several cottages in Yorkshire, including rooms at The Grange in the Yorkshire Dales, close to Stage 1 of the tour, from £80 per night.

On the other side of the Channel, they offer rooms at the Chateau de la Commanderie in the Rhone Valley (along stage 14) from £80.