The British Cycling’s Regional Talent Team will be looking for the next national and Olympic champions at the Firle Place camping based event organised by East Sussex County Council.
A series of fun and challenging tests involving sprinting and a longer ride of just over three minutes will be used to test a young rider’s abilities. Competitions to test young people’s cycling skills will also be held. Anyone between the ages of 6 and 18 can enter the skills competitions with riders born in years 89, 90 and 91, eligible to qualify for the second stage of the talent identification process held regionally in September.
The skills competition done at speed will test a rider’s bike control over a course with challenging obstacles such as slaloms and limbos. All those taking part in both the talent Identification and the skills competition can enter their times on the national Go-Ride website where they can be compared to riders from all over the country. Go-Ride can be found at www.go-ride.org.uk or www.britishcycling.org.uk.
The Festival will mark the start of National Bike Week and linked to it will be an exhibition which includes demonstrations, services and retail outlets. There is a full programme of arena activities and a range of organised rides. Alternatively cyclists may prefer to make their own arrangements to explore the area.
Commenting, new Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, Councillor Matthew Lock welcomed the start of Bike Week in East Sussex :”We recognise the importance of cycling. Indeed, we take it very seriously and have developed programmes and projects to encourage everyone to think about cycling as an alternative choice of transport to the car. "
Notes to editors
A full programme of entertainment is also planned on the Saturday night. Sponsored by Harveys of Lewes, the Sussex brewers. The programme features Sussex based musicians and performers.
For further information about the Cycle Festival, contact Brian Deval on 01273 482134.
Reference:
04/166/JW
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