Join the crowds lining this year's Tour of Britain route in the West Country and cheer on some of the world's greatest endurance cyclists

YOU don't have to be a cycling enthusiast to enjoy the Tour of Britain. Coming to the West Country for only the second time, on Tuesday, September 9, it will see nearly 100 of the world's leading cyclists racing through Somerset's and Devon's finest countryside.

Even if you don't know your Rock Racing from your Team Garmin, the result is a colourful and exhilarating spectacle. And judging from the thousands of spectators who flocked to last year's race, enthusiasm for the tour goes far beyond cycling aficionados.

The South West stage is the third of eight and the route has changed from the inaugural Somerset stage of 2007.

Starting in Chard, it takes in two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Exmoor National Park and the first coastal finish, at Burnham-on-Sea. Along the way are three punishing King of Mountains challenges and three sprints, with the front-runners completing the race in a little over four hours.

The tour has been brought to the region by Somerset County Council, which is hosting a stage of the tour until 2011.

"If you've never seen it before, a cycling race like this is a unique spectacle," says Graham Bagley, the council's Tour of Britain project manager. "The route will test the riders, but also showcase some of the best scenery that the region has to offer, so there are plenty of great places for spectators."

Communities and schools are embracing the spirit of the tour with festivities and fun that will make it much more than a sporting spectacle. There are plenty of options along the 115-mile route, but where are the best places to catch the tour?

Here are a few suggestions, but apart from the start, suggested times are approximate, based on the earliest possible arrival times, as the exact times will depend on how competitors fair along the route.

Chard: 10am

The town has really thrown itself behind the event, and the race will mark the climax of its first International Festival of Culture and Activity. A street party will be taking place on the eve of the start with food, music and late-night shopping.

On race-day itself, riders and their entourages will assemble on Crowshute Link from 8.30am. This is a good opportunity to get close to the competitors and the impressive entourage that accompanies the tour, perhaps gathering some autographs before the race starts.

An all-singing and dancing line-up in the town centre will include a performance by a group of traditional Romanian dancers, visiting to celebrate the new twinning of Chard with Mare in Romania.

Withypool and Exford: 12.30-12.45pm

After negotiating the winding lanes of the Blackdown Hills and passing through Tiverton, the tour climbs on to Exmoor via South Molton. In Withypool, spectators can get a great view of the passing peloton while eating an ice cream on the riverbank.

From there the race heads for Exford in the heart of the moor, on the route again thanks to the warm welcome the village showed last year.

Crowds are expected to be out in force again on a picture-perfect, bunting-clad village green.

There will be plenty to keep visitors occupied before and after the competitors arrive, including falconry displays, a barbecue, bale-throwing, Exmoor ponies and craft marquees. There will also be a display of international flags representing every team taking part in the race.

Dunster: 1.15pm

From Exford, the tour will pass through Wheddon Cross – the highest village on Exmoor, where more big crowds are expected – and Timberscombe, before dropping down into medieval Dunster.

The route runs through the heart of Dunster, which should make it a photographer's delight, with all of the action taking place in the shadow of the majestic castle which dominates the village.

Cothelstone Hill: 2pm

After visiting Williton and Bishops Lydeard, the tour route tackles the Quantock Hills at Cothelstone Hill. Cothelstone should be popular with cycling purists as it will see competitors make a slow and painful ascent on what is the third and final King of the Mountains section.

Burnham-on-Sea: 2.45pm

After sweeping through the Quantock scenery that inspired Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the route skirts Bridgwater and passes through Dunball and Huntspill as it heads north towards the race climax at Burnham-on-Sea.

A race for the tape against the backdrop of the popular seaside resort makes for another great spectator spot, and local organisers have made sure there will be plenty to do on the day.

A park and ride will be operating between Sanders Garden World and Pier Street from 10am and activities start at the same time, including a farmers' market, appearances by Somerset Rebels speedway team, King Alfred's School steel band, the Project Romania dance troupe and the Somerset Sapphires majorettes.

There will also be a mass cycle ride by local schoolchildren and after the race itself, the glamour of the presentation ceremony for the winner's yellow jersey.

For information about the tour and the activities taking place on the day visit www.bikesomerset.co.uk