A Summer of Cycling is about to get underway in Bath and North East Somerset, in the lead up to The Tour of Britain coming to Bath this September.
This is being supported by Bristol Airport and KLM, working in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Community cycling events will take place throughout the summer and on the day of The Tour of Britain Stage 5 Finish in Bath, Thursday 8th September 2016.
Councillor Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North), Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “There are all sorts of events taking place during the Summer of Cycling, all aimed at encouraging our residents – young, old and of all abilities – to try cycling.
“Whether you are a beginner, a family or a little more advanced, there are plenty of ways to get involved. As well as attracting visitors to the city, the Tour of Britain provides an excellent opportunity for all locals to be inspired to lead healthy lives by getting more active, more often, which is a key aim of our Fit For Life strategy.”
Activities include:
Wednesday 15th June
Bike Week Open Session, 5-8pm, Odd Down Sports Ground
Coached sessions for adults, handcyclists, beginner youths and families and advanced youth riders. Bikes can be provided if required.
Sunday 19th June
Monkton School Charity Event, all day, Odd Down Sports Ground
Mass participation charity event. Up to 600 people will together attempt to cover the distance from Bath to Sydney.
B&NES Schools Summer Cup
Tuesday 28th June
Circuit racing at Odd Down Sports Ground
Friday 1st July
Sporting Family Change fun day, 1pm-4.30pm, Bath Recreation Ground
An afternoon of walk, run and ride skills, dance and other activities. Open to all local children and families.
Saturday 2nd July
CycleFest 2016, 12 noon – 4pm, Odd Down Sports Ground
Family fun with Tractor Ted, cycling on the circuit, BMX Skills, Frisbee Golf, Skate/Scooter Workshop and more. Open to all and free to attend.
In addition there will be a Cyclocross event starting at 4pm. Contact [email protected] for more details.
Sundays 3rd & 31st July, 5pm-8pm and all day 28th August
t1diabates.info, Odd Down Sports Ground
A series of weekend races to raise funds and awareness of charity t1diabates.info. The final event features youth racing, handcycle racing and other entry level races.
Saturday 9th July
Midsomer Norton Fayre,12 noon – 5pm, Gullock Tyning
Cycling obstacle course for adults and children to test their skills.
Thursday 28th July
Bike the UK for MS celebration event, 11am-1pm, Odd Down Sports Ground
Reception for riders completing John O’Groats to Land’s End (JOGLE) in support of local MS Societies. Members can meet the riders and ride the adaptive bikes on the outdoor cycle circuit.
July and August
British Cycling Summer Series, every Tuesday evening, Odd Down Sports Ground (adults only); this will involve competitive racing for local amateurs, with two men’s races and one women’s race.
There will be entry level racing on some additional Thursday evenings. See www.bathnes.gov.uk/tourofbritain for race schedule updates.
August
Weekly Paracycling events, Wednesdays 7pm-8pm at Odd Down Sports Ground. The coached sessions are for handcyclists and will complement monthly British Cycling Paracyling Hub weekend sessions.
Friday 2nd September
Pedal-powered outdoor film screening, Springfield Park, Foxhill, Bath
Bath Film Festival presents an open air, pedal-powered evening film screening. More details will be made available at www.bathfilmfestival.org.uk
Thursday 8th September
The Tour of Britain Stage 5 Finish, 10am to 4pm, Royal Avenue, Bath
Family activities, races and fun cycling events will take place throughout the day and in the lead up to the Stage 5 Finish at approximately 3.30pm.
For some of these events bikes can be provided if required. To find out more about any of these events, up to date race schedules and more information on The Tour of Britain, visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/tourofbritain.
