With the arrival of the Tour de France competitors in Kent, residents will be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding the best spots to watch all the lycra-clad two-wheeled stars in action.

Plans on how Kent is going to welcome the world’s largest annual sporting event are in their final stages of course.

However, for those who may have been exiled to a desert island since the start of the year, it’s not too late to decide on the best vantage points.

Communities across Kent have embraced the arrival of the Tour with boundless enthusiasm and great anticipation has been building.

A passion for cycling has engulfed the county in the build-up to the big day and many supporting events are planned to promote the sport as a healthy pursuit for all.

Spectators need to be prepared for the fact that the passing of the peloton – the main group of cyclists – can happen very quickly. To add to the event a cavalcade of more than 200 decorated vehicles precede the Tour to create a party atmosphere. All over the county events are being held for people to get involved and make the most of the big day.

There’s a funfair, jazz bands and a range of children’s entertainment to welcome visitors to Gravesend.

Medway has a diverse programme of events for the weekend of July 7 and 8, with highlights on the Saturday including the sailing of the Grand Turk – a replica of the late 18th century Royal Naval frigate – on the River Medway, as well as Napoleonic re-enactors at Fort Amherst.

A speciality food and drink street market will take place in Strood and four massive screens, with a range of refreshments, are being set up at key viewing sites throughout Medway to ensure there’s no excuse for missing any of the race.

Maidstone and its lower High Street will give a carnival buzz to the county town to greet the visitors as they watch the riders pass by. There’s also a local market and fun fair planned to keep the party going once the peloton has been and gone.

In the grounds of Tonbridge Castle, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the staging of a Medieval Fair complete with combat displays and archery, as well as wandering musicians and hog-roast.

The town’s Racecourse sports ground will be home all day to a Zone Sportive, and visitors can try a range of sports and cultural activities and enjoy musical performances. After the riders have passed through Tonbridge there will be a celebratory parade through the town.

In Royal Tunbridge Wells, the town’s museum and art gallery and library will stage a family day including flag-making to wave the riders through, with as well as a bike-part hunt.

Live music, street entertainers, barn dancing and food and wine festivals will greet those choosing Sissinghurst as their viewing venue.

The Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) will salute the riders as they cross the railway at its Cranbrook Road crossing. The K&ESR will operate a park and ride from Rolvenden station to enable visitors to get to Tenterden and see the exciting sprint section of the race in the town.

The railway will position a steam locomotive near the level crossing and blast its whistle to salute the riders as they pass on their uphill ride towards the town.

The village of High Halden, near Ashford, has been chosen to be Kent’s only French hospitality village and the green will be transformed with marquees and a large viewing screen to play host to more than 300 French guests.

Canterbury will be staging its Tour de Fun in the run-up to the arrival of the cyclists. For the weekend of the Tour a range of events are planned including continental markets, a musical parade and sporting activities.

Youngsters will be able to tour the world on a unique cycling track visiting many famous landmarks and wonders of the globe.

So there you have it – there is a wide variety of events and activities being staged across the county to get us all in the spirit.

And if the sight of the cyclists ignites a desire to drag the old Raleigh out of the shed then why not find out more about Kent County Council’s Go Cycle Kent campaign by visiting www.gocyclekent.co.uk

The site will give you information on how to get out and about and cycle safely.