With just a few days to go there is still plenty of time for people to get involved in a special spring weekend of cycling in Wiltshire.
Cyclists of all abilities and ages, as well as families, can participate and ride through stunning Wiltshire countryside in the Cycle Wiltshire Sportive, which is back for its second year on Saturday 9th May.
Participants have a choice of three distances; 20 miles for the less experienced and 64 or 100 miles for the more experienced riders and those looking for an extra challenge. This year there will also be a 1km family fun route in the event village for youngsters and their families keen to participate. People can enter one of the Sportive rides at www.cyclewiltshire.org.uk
The routes and events all start at Fiver Rivers Community Campus in Salisbury. Rides start from 8.30am on Saturday 9th May. Registration takes place on either:
Friday 8th May between 4.00pm and 8.00pm
Saturday 9th May from 7.00am onwards
The event features a village which offers something for the whole family to enjoy including Go-Ride skills, bouncy castle, face painting, entertainment, displays, exhibitions stands and food stalls.
Also, as part of the village there will be a vintage zone with lots of activities to mark the 70th anniversary of VE day. It will include live music from Sticky Toffee Jazz, swing dancing lessons, vintage food and drink stands, and a ‘make do and mend’ activity area with cupcake decorating, bunting making and 1940s hair and make-up styling.
The weekend’s cycling fun continues on Sunday 10th May with the Cycle Wiltshire Grand Prix. This elite cycle race, part of the British Cycling National Road Race series, will see around 120 elite riders from top professional teams taking part. It will start from Salisbury Guildhall Square at 11.00am.
The event is part of the council’s Legacy for Wiltshire initiative, which focuses on encouraging people to keep fit and active, bringing local communities together and boosting the local economy.
Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council and chair of the Legacy Steering Board said, “We have been extremely fortunate in Wiltshire to have seen lots of top class cycling right on our doorstep. Last September the Tour of Britain came through the county’s roads and the communities in Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Devizes and Pewsey came out in force to welcome and cheer on the peloton.
“I am delighted that the rise in the profile of cycling has inspired so many people to get on their bikes, get fit and enjoy themselves and our beautiful Wiltshire countryside.
“There was a lovely atmosphere at last year’s Cycle Wiltshire event and lots of people participated and supported the Sportive cycle routes and the elite race. I’d encourage people of all ages and abilities to sign up and challenge themselves by taking part in one of the routes. The whole weekend promises to be exciting, active with lots happening for everyone to enjoy.”
Cycle Wiltshire is the highlight of cycling week (2nd to 10th May 2015), in which Wiltshire Council is looking to emphasise the benefits of cycling and all the different ways people can get involved, either competitively or for fun.
More information can be found at www.cyclewiltshire.org.uk.
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