Arrangements for National Cycle Race 2010
Published Friday 5th February 10
Pendleside residents, find out more about the national cycle race coming to your villages.
The meeting on Monday 8th February will give residents the chance to hear more about this prestigious cycling event, which will bring the stars of the Olympic games and the Tour de France to Pendle.
Pendleside ward councillor James Starkie will chair the meeting which will take place in Barley Village Hall from 7pm.
He said :
"The majority of local people I've spoken to about the race have been really positive about it, and rightly so - it's a major event in the British sporting calendar.
"Pendle's always been a popular place for cycling. I'm sure everyone will want to show what a great job we can do with a big event like this and what a great welcome we can give.
"There will be some disruption, as roads will have to be closed to enable the race to take place safely, and so we're asking for the support of local people to make the event a success.
"At the meeting on 8th February, they will be able to put questions to a whole range of people on the event's Organising Committee.
"They'll also be able to have a look at maps of the course, and to tell us if they'd like to help out on the day of the race."
Race organiser Ivor Armstrong of Cycling Development North West will be at the meeting, together with Mark Sandamas from Pennine Events, who will be responsible for setting out the course, safety and ensuring that disruption caused by the road closures is carefully managed.
Pendle Council's Tourism and Events Manager Vaughan Jones will also be there to answer residents' questions.
Brian Cookson, Executive Director (Regeneration), said :
"Tourism is vital to our local economy and this event will give us a really great profile.
"We're already working hard with many partners - from the local Police to Sky Television - to put in place arrangements that will make the race a superb showcase for the area without inconveniencing residents too much."
It was at the end of 2009 that British Cycling announced its prestigious National Road Race Championships would be coming to Pendle this summer.
Councillor John David, Leader of Pendle Council, said :
"We're very proud that British Cycling has chosen Pendle to host this year's National Road Race Championships.
"It will bring Olympic medallists, including Colne's Stephen Burke, to the area, together with cycling enthusiasts and spectators.
"It's a wonderful opportunity to show them all what Pendle has to offer."
There will be two Championship races, both restricted to elite-level competitors; one for women, which will include Olympic Champion Nicole Cooke, and one for men, which will include Olympic Champion Bradley Wiggins and Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish.
Both events will cover multiple laps of a hilly 7½ mile circuit around Barley, Blacko and Roughlee. Men will cover 16 laps, women 9 laps.
There will also be a chance for everyone to have a go - expert or novice, young or old - as the events are part of the Pendle Bike Fest, which incorporates a range of cycle rides suitable for all.
View maps of the courses before the meeting.
For more information on the National Road Race Championships and the Pendle Bike Fest, contact Pendle Council Contact Centre on 01282 661661.
Note: The linked maps are reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. 100019669, 2010.
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