Sunlight breaking through the trees in the New Forest
The Family Ride, in partnership with South Downs National Park, will take place on the circuit on Criterium day, Sunday 5 June, from 10am to 11am, leaving from the Broadway.
This ride is not a race. Instead, it provides a unique opportunity to cycle traffic and pedestrian-free in the heart of Winchester around the same circuit that the Criterium cyclists will race around later in the day. Participants can cycle around as many times as they like until 11am.
The CycleFest activity will commence at 10am. The wide range of activities and stalls on offer includes: South Coast Sprints, the Zero Gravity Stunt Show, Cycle Experience, VC Venta, City Bridge Dental, Vintage Bikes, Hargroves Cycles, Winchester CTC, Bespoke Bikes, PFPL Leisure Balanceability Bikes and Smoothie Bikes.
Winchester’s bars, cafes, restaurants, and retail outlets will be open so there will be lots to do, see and experience.
Colin Carré, Project Manager at South Downs National Park, said: “Bring the whole family and enjoy cycling up Winchester’s High Street, right past the Cathedral, without a car or pedestrian in sight.
“Afterwards come and ask us about some of the great cycling trails in the South Downs National Park easy to reach from Winchester – we’ll have a stall in Abbey Gardens.”
This year’s Criterium, the fourth annual Winchester Criterium & CycleFest, will, for the first time,incorporate British Cycling’s South Region Circuit Championships. Riders in the senior men’s, senior women’s and Youth (Under 16) Girls and Boys races will be competing for the title of Regional Champion for 2016.
The racing will run from 11am until 6pm, starting and finishing under the race gantry at the top of the High Street.
Craig Surgey from headline sponsors Hargroves Cycles, commented: “Hargroves Cycles are really looking forward to the Winchester Criterium & CycleFest as it offers so much to do for all the family. It’s also a great day out if you simply want to drink coffee in one of many Winchester coffee shops and watch the racing go by.”
Amanda Ford, Head of Sport and Physical Activity at Winchester City Council, concluded: “As well as welcoming top riders to our city and being inspired by the racing, the Criterium and CycleFest will offer a wide range of activities on the day to encourage more people to enjoy cycling in all its forms. The Family Ride is a key part of that”.
Find out more about online registration at winchestercriterium.org.
