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Through the Gorge
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If you need motivation to kick-start your journey to getting fit, you could
do no better than setting your sights on being part of Somerset’s biggest
cycling event of 2007. With three months to go before the Tour of Wessex, there
is still time for occasional bike riders to transform themselves into lean mean
cycling machines and choose between riding 30 miles or 55 miles.
If you are an experienced regular cyclist you could choose to cycle the 100
mile or the 325 mile routes and join the thousand or so riders already signed
up who will be descending from all over the globe for this international event.
The event, runs from Saturday 26th May to Monday 28th May, and is cycling’s
equivalent to the London Marathon, where casual runners line up alongside dedicated
athletes. In similar fashion, the Tour of Wessex has already attracted interest
from a wide range of ages and abilities from all over the country. The youngest
rider entered to do the 30 mile route is 10 years old and the oldest riding
the 325 routes is 67.
The event is being organised by the Pendragon Cycling Club, based near Yeovil
the club members are catering for up to 2,000 participants per day. Almost half
the spaces are already filled. 500 hundred places have been set aside for Somerset
& Dorset residents who are only occasional cyclists.
Entrants can expect a visual feast: A fabulous mix of English countryside and
ancient landmarks, including Exmoor National Park, the Jurassic Coast, Glastonbury
Tor, Cheddar Gorge and Stourhead to name just few.
The concept of encouraging local people to rise to the challenge is the brainchild
of Bike Somerset (www.bikesomeset.co.uk) & South Somerset District Council,
whose brief is to promote sustainable forms of transport. Bike Somerset believes
that those who take the time to build up for the event will then become regular
cyclists, improving their health, and their carbon footprint in the process!
The event costs £15 for the 30 and 50 mile routes to enter which includes
refreshments, at feeding stations on route, and a finishers Medal and Certificate.
All entrants will get free entry to the Wessex Cycle Show which features amazing
aerial stunts on BMX and Mountain Bikes showing throughout the day on both Saturday
and Sunday - all those attending will have the chance to get their hands on
some of the thousands of pounds worth of prizes the organisers have to give
away and have their bikes serviced for free or sign up for one of the biakeability
classes laid on by Somerset County Council. Entry for the Bike show alone is
£5 for Adults or £10 for a family of four with additional kids at
£1 each.
There will also be the Tea tent serving cakes and hot food at the finish with
all proceeds going to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.
Information
- www.tourofwessex.com
- Telephone: 01963 220137
Molly Cooper
