Our
main summer season of events has now drawn to a close and we are busy
planning for what should be an equally busy and exciting programme for
2009. It's hard to pick particular favourites from this year but they
include:
Mersey Travel
Under and Over the Mersey – 15th June.
Part of the Capital of Culture highlights, this unique
event included a mass-walk under the river Mersey through the Queensway
tunnel, a concert featuring the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
& Community Choir and various international artists from Liverpool
Lighthouse, aerialists, parade of vintage vehicles, vintage shuttle
bus service and specially chartered world-famous ferries with live music
on board. Started by Phil Redmond approximately 15,000 people took part.
Nottinghamshire's largest bike ride with over 5000 cyclists
taking part. We were engaged by the county council, with partners Perfect
Motion, as they outsourced the event for the first time in its 20year
history. We successfully introduced new sportive and family ride routes
this year providing a total of four route options from 7 to 87miles.
With live music, BBQ's, cycling activities and other entertainment at
the finish venue at the National Watersports Centre, the event provided
a great, healthy fun day out.
Liverpool
– Chester – Liverpool Bike Ride – 6th July.
Our longest running event, celebrating its 15th anniversary
this year with over 2200 cyclists attending the party. The only cycle
event in the country to include nearly 5miles underground – no problems
in this wet summer!
The launch of the fantastic new Lee Quarry MTB circuit
in the Adrenaline Gateway of Rossendale, this event featured an exciting
day of MTB races, a round of the Bike Trials UK National Points Series,
MTB Workshops, Retail and info displays.
Colne
Grand Prix, sponsored by Cottages4You – 16th July.
Part of British Cycling's National Elite Series the top
riders in the country once again delivered a cracking night's racing
action. On a night where the weather was a mixture of the typical summer
conditions of sunshine and showers, Ian Wilkinson was in red hot form
when he rode away from a break that was being brought back to the bunch
and for more 10 laps, he rode solo on the wet roads to take a very popular
victory in his local race where the large crowd gave him a rousing reception.
It was a bunch sprint for second won by Malcolm Elliott from Russell
Downing.
Entertaining, enthusing and educating
people of all ages about the possibilities and benefits of cycling through
the unique combination of a cycle training and education programmes
delivered in schools during the week and public road shows at weekends.
Free cycling skills workshops, the opportunity to try-out a range of
unusual bikes, cycling clowns and even making a free refreshing and
healthy drink by a couple of minutes easy pedalling were just some of
the things that took place in the public roadshows. National Standards
Cycle Training, cycling-themed lessons, bike try-out sessions and workshops
were delivered in 8 schools across the county.
An exciting new addition to our town centre cycle race
programme and an event that will be part of the National Elite Series
in 2009. A technical course around the heart of the town centre tested
the rider's bike handling skills to the limit but they didn't disappoint.
With a field including Tour de France rider Jeremy Hunt, National Criterium
Champion James MacCallum and Ian Wilkinson, Plowman Craven rider Tony
Gibb put on a determined display of front-running and held off all challenges.
Although we may be biased as we live here, in our opinion
one of the most beautiful and traffic-free rides around - a view backed
up by the many emails and comments received afterwards from the participants.
It's gentle name belies a very challenging Sportive ride around the
beautiful Pendle, Ribble Valley, Lune Valley and Bowland countryside.
It includes many of the climbs tackled by pro riders on the Tour of
Britain, Kellogg's Tour and Tour of Lancashire races. The event also
incorporated the Pendle Cycle Show featuring try-outs, entertainers
and displays.
Tour
of Pendle, sponsored by Cottages4You – 10th August.
A cracking race on a day of every possible weather culminated
in National Road Race Champion Rob Hayles (Halfords Bikehut) managing
to break away and hold on in the last few miles for a popular victory
in Nelson Town Centre.
We were engaged by event promoters Face Partnership to
assist them with the delivery of this event when over 5000 spectators
enjoyed a spectacular evening of racing around the famous Salford Quays
and Lowry Theatre area. The event provided a homecoming for Olympic
champions Chris Hoy, Geraint Thomas, Ed Clancy, Paul Manning and Bradley
Wiggins as well as providing a stunning evening of action and entertainment.
Like Blackburn this was an exciting new addition to
our town centre cycle race programme and another event that will be
part of the National Elite Series in 2009. Part of a full-on day of
sport with the Run Preston races in the morning, Go Ride, Cycle-try-outs,
a fun ride and then the cycle races from Youth categories up to the
Elite stars on a 1km circuit around the heart of the city.
