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First-ever Solway Coast Cycling Festival almost here!

Jonathan Irving

Jonathan Irving

Posted on 08 September 2021

Everyone from cycling enthusiasts and novice riders to local residents and visitors are being invited to Silloth this Saturday (11 September) to be part of the first-ever Solway Coast Cycling Festival.

Organised by Allerdale Borough Council, the event will take place on the town’s green from 10am to 4pm – just one day after the stars of the Tour of Britain have raced through Cumbria. 

The festival will be a celebration of all things cycling with activities for cyclists of all levels as well as plenty of things for families and children to enjoy.

There will be an opportunity to explore the beautiful Solway Coast by bike on a guided ride or go into the town centre to enjoy the many activities on offer, which include:

  • Free 30-minute bike check & fix (must be booked in advance)
  • Free 45-minute E-bike taster session (must be booked in advance)  
  • Free kids cycling skills sessions  
  • Smoothie bikes  
  • Way-marked cycle routes  
  • Free guided cycle rides (must be booked in advance)  
  • Free web-enabled exercise bikes  
  • Watch the fast-paced action of grass-track bike racing   
  • Free play and craft activities for younger children  
  • Climbing wall and bungee trampolines 
  • Free storytelling sessions at 11am, 1pm and 3pm  

 
There will also be an opportunity to watch the action-packed sport of grass track cycle racing which is making its debut in Silloth, organised by Carlisle Cycling Association and Beacon Wheelers Cycle Club. 

A full list of the activities, times and how to sign-up to any bookable sessions can be found on the Visit Allerdale website at https://visitallerdale.co.uk/solway-coast-cycling-festival/. People are encouraged to bring their own bikes to the event as only a limited amount of children’s bikes will be available on the day.

Cllr Tony Markley, the council’s Executive member for leisure and tourism, said:

“We’re all really looking forward to the festival on Saturday which we hope will appeal to local people as well as visitors. The Solway Coast really is an amazing destination – particularly for cyclists – so visitors to the event can be assured of a great day out.

“Events play a really important part in supporting our local economy and the team have been working hard to put this new addition to the calendar together and we hope as many people as possible support it.”

The event is being supported by a number of partners who will be involved on the day, including Carlisle Cycling Association, Solway Coast AONB, Carlisle Community Cycle Hub, The Adventure Syndicate, The Outdoor Partnership Coastal Cumbria, Watchtree Wheelers, Love My Beach and the Solway Coast Business Group.