Winchester CycleFest blooms
Cycling in Winchester is set to bloom this summer and even the flowerbeds are being used to promote the events.
Winchester City Council’s landscape team has planted a special bedding scheme on the roundabout at the main Bar End entrance to the city celebrating Winchester CycleFest 2013.
The Winchester Cycle Fair takes place on Sunday 23 June and the Winchester Criterium and Family Cycle Day on Sunday 11 August. Together the events are known as Winchester CycleFest 2013.
Cllr Vicki Weston, Winchester City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Built Environment which includes traffic and transport, said:
Winchester CycleFest is a fantastic opportunity for residents to get involved in cycling across the city and also to explore the beautiful national cycling route. The flowerbeds are an imaginative way for us to market the events to people visiting the city.
Chris Dawson, race organiser for the Criterium from Cycle Tours UK, said:
The Criterium is fun-filled and fast-paced. With cyclists roaring through the city centre streets at up to 30mph it will be a great event.
Winchester CycleFest will be fun for participants and spectators alike. Celebrating the end of National Cycle Week on 23 June, the Cycle Fair will transform the Broadway into a hive of cycling activity for residents and visitors of all ages. This free event will encourage people to bring their bikes to the city for the day. Everything from roller-racing, mountain-bike demonstrations and a cycle treasure hunt will be on offer throughout the afternoon from 12 noon to 4pm.
The fast and furious Winchester Criterium race preceded by a Family Cycle Day will take place on Sunday 11 August from 12noon to 9pm. The highlight will be the biggest all-inclusive Criterium cycle race in the region this year. Staged in the city centre from 4pm to 8pm, the event is classed as the cycling equivalent to Formula 1 as it is fast and furious with lots of thrills and spills. There will be eight races throughout the evening and many thousands of spectators are expected to line the route.
Both events will see a Bike Bus leading cyclists along the national cycling route, across the beautiful Hockley Viaduct to the South Park and Ride cycle track. Light refreshments and fun cycle skills will also be on offer at this location.