11 May 2011
Avid cyclists are being encouraged to test their pedal power on a series of road races and time trials at Eastbourne’s brand new Cycling Festival taking place from 21-22 May.
Sponsored by The Tri Store and backed by Eastbourne Pedal Power Youth Cycling, Eastbourne Cycling Festival will stage The Eastbourne Criterium and Eastbourne Grand Prix Road Race on Sunday 22 May offering third and fourth category riders the chance to test their speed.
The Criterium, aimed at fourth category riders, will take place over the closed road circuit centred on King Edward’s Parade and South Cliff, starting and finishing in front of The Grand Hotel offering great viewing points for spectators. Competitors will be able to get their adrenalin pumping around the technical turns, short lung busting climb and down the fast descent as they complete each lap.
The Grand Prix will offer an even bigger challenge to third category riders of all ages featuring ten fast laps of the closed road circuit before the riders depart over the stunning South Downs, including a climb up Duke’s Drive, fast descent into East Dean and twisty climb back up to the summit of Beachy Head. Spectators will be able to cheer the riders on as they travel back down the course to King Edward’s Parade and the Cycling Festival Village.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, Cllr Neil Stanley said “Our first Eastbourne Cycling Festival is shaping up to be action packed with a bumper programme of events and activities for cyclists of all abilities to take part in. The road races and time trials offer a great opportunity for serious riders to really get their pedals going while taking in Eastbourne’s spectacular scenery, while some of the other activities offer a slightly more genteel pace.
“Families can follow cycle routes around the town with Bespoke while Bexhill Classic Cycle Group will create a real spectacle in vintage dress and antique bicycles. I hope to see visitors and residents out and about in a fortnight’s time enjoying this fantastic new free event.”
For those with a real competitive streak, Eastbourne Rovers Cycling Club will be holding a Come and Try It Time Trial event for all riders on Sunday 22 May with a target time to try and beat on the closed road circuit, while the Wattbike Challenge will offer a team contest across the weekend. Located in the Festival Village on the Western Lawns, teams of three will ride a 250m sprint on the static Wattbike in an attempt to beat the times set by multi medal winning Olympic superstar Sir Chris Hoy and local professional cyclist Tom Copeland.
A special Rollapaluza evening will take place at the Afton Hotel on Saturday 21 May offering a contemporary take on an old sport as two cyclists battle it out on a pair of custom made Rollapaluza rollers connected to a huge dial over a simulated 500m distance at speeds of more than 50mph! With a Rollapaluza event at Eastbourne’s Bibendum already attracting quite a crowd earlier this year, pro cyclists and novices can enter now for the challenge and put their legs to the test as they try to beat the world record of 17.90 seconds.
East Sussex County Council will be available on both days of the event from their Cycling Information Unit in the Festival Village to offer handy information on new Eastbourne cycle routes, including the National Cycle Route 21, with visitors able to collect maps and find out about the benefits of cycling.
For more information on other activities taking place at Eastbourne Cycling Festival, including Cappuccino Rides, Off Road Biking at Princes Park, Unicycle Displays, Bike Surgery and more, and to find special offer hotel deals for the weekend go to the Cycling Festival website or call 0871 663 0031.
Eastbourne Cycling Festival is supported in sponsorship by The Tri Store and run in association with and supported by British Cycling, Eastbourne Rovers Cycling Club, Pedal Power, Bespoke, SRS Events, On The Rivet, Hankham Motors, Bufferra, Shock Absorber and Afton Hotel.
