Cycle Yorksire:
Mobile and Web App

App Development   |   Design   |  Project Management

In summer 2013 we were commissioned to produce an official app as part of the legacy for the Le Tour de France Grand Depart 2014.  This formed the beginning of an ongoing project and collaboration with multiple partners, and is currently undergoing a refresh for 2022 / 23.

The initial brief was to produce an informative app detailing the two stages of the Grand Depart through Yorkshire with the product squarely aimed at amateur to semi pro cyclists who would be inspired to ride all, or part, of the course.

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From an early stage we envisioned a video heavy app where users could view animated flyovers of the terrain for the entire route as well as informative videos showing a professional cyclist riding various sections which could prove hazardous and even dangerous. This was in response to concerns raised by local authorities and North Yorkshire Police about the increasing number of cyclists on North Yorkshire's roads in the lead up to the Grand Depart and the resulting rise in serious road incidents.

Our aim was to provide cyclists with as much information as possible about the two tour stages in an engaging way.

Under the project management of Chris Brooke, Rolling Snowballs commissioned Bowhouse Ltd. for the design and coding of the App, while R.S. handled video production and design elements.  The app was initially launched for iOS, Android and Windows and the first iteration was a Finalist in the national Digital Entrepreneur Awards.

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The product trailer featured on this page was produced for the original launch on mobile and tablet devices.

Riding on the success of the original app we were asked to provide an update to reflect the inaugural Tour De Yorkshire. 

Responding to emerging trends and improved web browser technology we discontinued the mobile app in 2016 and converted the design to a web-based app that could function in all major browsers and be accessible via both mobile and desktop.  We improved the the overall design and functionality and included the original Grand Depart routes alongside the new Tour De Yorkshire stages, additional Sportif Routes and some popular local Yorkshire routes.