Friends dress as Beefeaters to cheer on cyclists

Often selecting a gruelling hill-climbing stage, the men form a 'Beefeater Bend' to spur competitors on

Dressed as Beefeaters, a group of friends have made an annual tradition of meeting up to cheer on competitors taking part in the Tour de France.

Andy Curson and Dave Hick from North Yorkshire met through their own cycling group.

In 2009 Andy and another friend decided to travel to the South of France to watch a stage of the race and, wanting to represent their home country, chose to dress up as the Tower of London's Yeoman Warders - otherwise known as Beefeaters.

Since then the group has expanded to include seven friends and they have even received outfit advice from a real Beefeater, who Dave joked had contacted them to "keep them in check".

"I think you've got to be a specific person, we're a unique group," Dave said.

"I was fortunate enough to join because of Andy. I've never looked back since – it's a phenomenal experience, a great party."

Often selecting a gruelling hill-climbing stage, the men form a 'Beefeater Bend' around a corner of the course, to spur competitors on.

They have even been known to bust a move or two, famously captured in a 2015 video where they danced along to Links Rechts, a popular song played at Dutch sporting events.

Most recently, the friends made the trip across the Channel to attend the 16th stage of the Tour de France, on Mont Ventoux.

While none of the group can claim the official title of beefeater, they have been advised on their outfits by the real deal.

One of the warders contacted the group on social media to give some tips on what they had got right and wrong, Dave said.

In 2017, the group was invited with family and friends to attend the Ceremony of the Keys in London, and meet some of their real-life counterparts.

"It's such a privilege that the Beefeaters are watching our activity while we're out in France, and obviously they like what we do, so it's great," Andy said.

Having hung their costumes up after this year's event, discussions have already begun about which stage to attend in 2026.

Andy added that the group was especially excited about the Tour's return to the UK in 2027.

"The route starts in Edinburgh – that's going to be huge one," he said.

"If you've not experienced it before, get yourself to that one, anyone who wants to party or who loves cycling, because that's going to be a big one."

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