Even Winchester's Flowerbeds Get In On The Cycling Act

People coming in to Winchester at Bar End can now see exactly how much cycling in the city is close  to our hearts.

Winchester City Council’s landscape team has planted a special bedding scheme on the roundabout at the main Bar End entrance to the city celebrating Winchester CycleFest 2013.

The Winchester Cycle Fair takes place on Sunday 23 June and the Winchester Criterium and Family Cycle Day on Sunday 11 August.  Together the events are known as Winchester CycleFest 2013.

Vicki Weston is one of those responsible for traffic and transport in the city and says the CycleFest is a great initiative: "It's a fantastic opportunity for residents to get involved in cycling across the city and also to explore the beautiful national cycling route. The flowerbeds are an imaginative way for us to market the events to people visiting the city.”

Race Organiser Chris Dawson is from the Criterium from Cycle Tours UK and says there's plenty to look forward to: “The Criterium is fun-filled and fast-paced. With cyclists roaring through the city centre streets at up to 30mph it will be a great event.”

The Cycle Fair will transform the Broadway into a hive of cycling activity and is a free event. Everything from roller-racing, mountain-bike demonstrations and a cycle treasure hunt will be on offer throughout the afternoon from 12 noon to 4pm.

The Winchester Criterium race preceded by a Family Cycle Day will take place on Sunday 11 August from 12noon to 9pm. 

The highlight will be the biggest all-inclusive Criterium cycle race in the region this year. Staged in the city centre from 4pm to 8pm, the event is classed as the cycling equivalent to Formula 1 as it is fast and furious with lots of thrills and spills. 

There will be eight races throughout the evening and many thousands of spectators are expected to line the route.

Both events will see a Bike Bus leading cyclists along the national cycling route, across the beautiful Hockley Viaduct to the South Park and Ride cycle track.

Photograph shows (left to right): Amanda Ford (Winchester City Council), Sarah Walker (Hampshire County Council), Marcus Swalwell (Rotary Winchester), Graham Dawson (Cycle Tours UK), Cllr Vicki Weston (Winchester City Council), Chris Peach (Winchester City Council) and Chris Dawson (Cycle Tours UK) at the CycleFest flowerbed.