First Llandrindod Wells Cycling Festival

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Posted Friday 20th February 2015 –

Llandod Cycle FestThis year brings the launch of the first Llandrindod Wells Cycling Festival with superb events organised by some of the best promoters Wales has to offer. Llandrindod Wells is thrilled to attract first class event organisers and promoters including John Lloyd Racing Events, Daisy Chain, Red Kite Events, Mucky Breaks, Clive Powell Mountain Bikes, and Drovers Cycles working together to create the first Llandod Cycle Fest on 17-19th July.

Llandrindod Wells has a long history of cycling being the home of the National Cycle Collection, the most impressive public collection of old and new bicycles in the world second only to a private collection in Norway. The National Cycle Collection provides 6,000 sq ft to display 200 models which provide a Journey through the lanes of cycle history and see bicycles from 1819, such as the Hobby Horse, Boneshakers and Penny Farthings, up to the most modern Carbon Fibre machines of today.

As well as Llandrindod Wells providing the perfect location at the cycle village beside their Victorian boating lake, the Llandod Cycle Fest events routes will be through the most stunning array of on and off-road routes anywhere in the UK. Wales has been long recognised as the mountain biking capital of the UK and with its endless quieter roads, is an absolute must for those who want to experience first class mountain biking and road riding.

Drover Cycles will be opening the festival with the Dual Slalom, John Lloyd and Bonna Williams will be hosting a Daisy Chain Women’s Sportive and Breeze Ladies Ride event, Red Kite events will be running a Sportive on the Saturday and Mountain Bike Trials on the Sunday and Mucky Breaks will be running guided rides for intermediate to advanced riders. British Cycling are keen to get the ladies onto bikes and events such as Breeze, for which Bonna has just qualified,will offer a wonderful backdrop in Mid Wales to experience it. Clive Powell will be putting on several family friendly events in and around the cycle village including family adventure cycle, balance bikes and bike checks.

What is unique about this Festival is that it combines the skill of experienced event organisers, co-ordinated by the Chamber of Trade & Tourism and backed by the Llandrindod Wells business group. The Festival, whilst attracting in the serious road cyclist and mountain biker, will also attract in beginner and experienced ladies, and families from the youngest balance bike learner to children of all ages who enjoy riding all kinds of bikes. Competition ideas include ‘Decorated Helmet’ and ‘Decorated Bike’. Other attractions include trade stands, food stalls, bouncy castle and climbing wall.

Llandrindod Wells itself is an ideal town offering a wonderful venue by the lake, spectacular routes and plenty of accommodation and eating places to satisfy all tastes and budgets. Camp sites are available around the area. The Festival will involve slightly more querky events hosted by Heart of Wales Bikes and a display by the National Cycle Collection.

It is surprising to learn that in the midst of cycling event fever and recent Olympic, Tour of Britain and Tour of France successes, that 67% of people cannot ride a bike. More worryingly too is the recent comments from Clive Powell who runs the cycling proficiency in Rhayader school. ‘Years ago, I would have seen 23 out of 25 with bikes, now it’s about 12 pupils – only half who own bikes…and the quality of bikes has also deteriorated’. He believes that with the relentless obsession with technology has a lot to do with it.

Sue Green, Chair of the Llandrindod Chamber said ‘We want to see children get involved in the events and get excited about going out on their bikes again. We are sure there are lots of ladies who rode bikes as children and then for various reasons including having children, stopped riding and would love to go out again but don’t know how to get involved. It’s great we can offer the Breeze Ladies Ride to encourage them to get back out there.

Bonna, a co-founder of Daisy Chain Bike Events for Women, said “We are thrilled to be part of this exciting new venture, which promotes our two passions – Cycling and Mid Wales. Any initiative which encourages people of all ages to get onto their bikes and go out in the fresh air has to be welcomed. We are really looking forward to making this a successful and annual event”

‘We are excited and honoured to host this fantastic event and we look forward to putting on an event in the town that everyone can get involved in but also attracting entrants from across Wales and the conurbations over the borders’ enthused Jeff Green, Press and PR Officer for the Llandrindod Chamber.