Olympic medallist & Pedal Pendle Festival at the Steven Burke Sports Hub
Everyone from complete beginners to young racing cyclists and spectators are welcome to a fantastic free event at the Steven Burke Sports Hub on Saturday 17th September from 10am – 3pm.
And Pendle’s gold medallist Steven Burke will be there at around 10.30am to unveil a new sign honouring his Olympic successes including breaking a new world record at Rio 2016.
“The event marks the anniversary of the Tour of Britain cycle race,” said Councillor Nawaz Ahmed who leads on cycling for Pendle.
“It’s designed to encourage more people from children to adults to take up cycling for health, fitness and leisure,” he said.
There’ll be try a bike sessions with Go Velo, the chance to have a go at BMX with bikes provided and guided cycle rides setting off from the British Cycling tent as well as information about local cycling clubs.
Wicked Bikez will also be there displaying some of their bikes for sale including KTM E-Bike demonstrations (electric bikes).
Food and drinks will be found next to the Wicked Bikez tent and will be supplied by Food 2 Go in Colne.
Keen cyclists can sign up in advance or on the day to a new Wiggle Pendle Sportive run by Pennine Events, with three routes from 25k to 95k to choose from.
“It’ll be a great event for families too,” said Councillor Ahmed.
“We’ve got a climbing wall, face painting, henna painting and an exciting day’s youth racing to watch around the circuit,” he said.
“And there’ll be a vintage shuttle bus to and from Nelson Town Centre so that people can enjoy both the Nelson Food Festival and the Pedal Pendle Festival,” he added.
The timetable for the Pedal Pendle Festival includes:
Wiggle Pedal Pendle Sportives 8.00am (95km); 8.30am (68km) 9.00am (25km)
Exciting youth races to watch 10am – 12.15
Have a go at BMX cycling 12:45 – 1:45 approx
Have a go at a time trial 12:45 – 1:45
Women’s race 3pm
Men’s race 3:45
Women only Breeze guided ride 11.00am https://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=84504
Ride Social guided rides for all 1pm https://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=84574
“This event shows that Pendle is still passionate about cycling and offers lots of opportunities for competitive and leisure cycling,” said event organiser Tricia Wilson from Pendle Council.
“We’re keen for more people to come and use the cycle track, it’s a fantastic facility for all levels of cyclists,” she said.
“We named The Hub after Pendle’s Olympic champion Steven Burke MBE who won his second gold medal at this summer’s Rio Olympics, making a new world record,” explained Councillor Ahmed.
The Hub including the off the road circuit can be found on Swinden Playing Fields between Nelson and Barrowford, off Cravendale Avenue with public parking for this event at ACDC on the main road in Barrowford.
“Or better still, cycle in along the canal tow path or on one of our off road cycling routes,” said Tricia.
More details on this event and on a variety of cycling routes in Pendle are on www.visitpendle.com including routes connected with last year’s Tour of Britain race.