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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.
Great Notts Bike Ride � 22nd June.
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.
More event details from Nottinghamshire County Council
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!
Adrenaline Gateway MTB Event � 13th July.
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.
Full report from British Cycling's website
Cornwall Festival of Cycling � June & July.
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.
More details from the Cornwall Festival website
Blackburn Town Centre Criterium � 23rd July.
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.
Pendle Pedal � 3rd August.
sponsored by Eric Wright Construction
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.
Results, photos, route maps and other details
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.
Full race report and pictures from the British Cycling website
Salford Nocturne � 30th August.
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.
Further information
Pedal For Scotland - 14th September.
City of Preston Grand Prix � 28th September.
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.
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