Pendle Bike Fest Launched

Source: www.pendlebikefest.com

News Posted: 13 May 2008

Event Dates: Various throughout 2008

Pendle Bike Fest 2008 a spectacular series of cycling events in Pennine Lancashire over the summer - has been officially launched.

The Bike Fest, which will feature the country's top road riders, plus leisure rides and cycling activities for the public, was launched at the head office of sponsors, Cottages 4 U, in Earby, on the Lancashire and Yorkshire border.

Top riders Ian Wilkinson (SIS-Trek) and Paul Oldham (Hope Technology), who are from Barnoldswick and Trawden respectively, were on hand to help launch the event, before travelling to the latest round of the Mountain-Bike National Points Series. The GB internationalists have always put in a strong showing and are determined to try and clinch a victory in at least one of the Pendle Bike Fest races. 

Brian Cookson, President of British Cycling, the UK's governing body of road racing, attended along with the Cottages 4 You Managing Director Jonathan Back and Marketing Director, Ian Gill, Mayor of Pendle Council Coun. Allan Buck, plus representatives from the Council and organisers Pennine Events Limited.

The Bike Fest features the following events:

• Freedom Rides from May to October 2008. These free, easy-paced rides are open to the public to turn up and ride through the local countryside led by experienced guides.  They are open to all ages and fitness levels. See www.pendlebikefest.com for details of starting points.
• Colne Grand Prix on Wednesday, 16th July 2008. The country's top riders race on a closed-road 800m circuit making for a fast, exciting spectacle. It starts at 7pm. The event is part of British Cycling's National Elite Series. Previous winners and participants have included World and Olympic Champions such as Bradley Wiggins, Chris Newton and Paul Manning.
• Pendle Pedal on Sunday, 3rd August 2008. Keen cyclists from across the country will descend on Pennine Lancashire for one of the country's toughest sportives choosing either a 60-mile or 100-mile ride through the beautiful and hilly Pendle, Ribble Valley, Lune Valley and Forest of Bowland countryside. Featuring some of the quietest roads in the country through stunning countryside and over climbs steeped in cycling folklore such as the Trough of Bowland and Nick O'Pendle. Participants can now enter Pendle Pedal on-line at www.pennineevents.co.uk. This event is sponsored by Eric Wright Construction.
• Pendle Cycle Show on Sunday, 3rd August 2008. Pendle Cycle Show is about all things cycling: displays, events, opportunities to ride different and unusual bikes, and be entertained by a range of cycling-based activities including stunt displays along with live music.
• Tour of Pendle on Sunday, 10th August 2008. Part of British Cycling's Premier Calendar, more than 100 of the best cyclists in the country race on a 95-mile course around Pendle and surrounding areas. Viewed as one of the best road races in the country with an extensive police support operation. Won last year by Gordon MacAuley from the Plowman Craven Team whilst Chris Newton clinched the Premier Calendar title with his top 6 place.

Above: Action from last year's Pendle Pedal

Mike Dean, Marketing Manager, from Cottages 4 You, said: "We are delighted to sponsor Pendle Bike Fest 2008. The event has grown into something that people in this part of the country can be really proud of. We hope that once again people from far and wide will come and either watch some of the best riders in the country compete on challenging races across the beautiful country of Pennine Lancashire or take part in the Pendle Pedal or the Freedom Rides or simply be entertained at the Pendle Cycle Show."

Pendle Bike Fest 2008 is organised by Pennine Events, which has offices in Barnoldswick and Wigan, and specialises in organising sports, leisure, and health events, across the country.

Details about the Pendle Bike Fest 2008 including locations and dates are available at http://www.pendlebikefest.com or telephone 01695 682020.

A full schedule of events organised by Pennine Events is available on their website www.pennineevents.co.uk.