“Pride of Pendle take on cottages4you Predator Challenge Route”
Pendle Cycle Fest was officially launched on Tuesday 19th April. With the sun shining and Pendle Hill in the background it proved to be the idyllic setting to capture the stunning scenery and intense climbs Pendle has to offer. National Elite Series winner, and local cyclist, Ian Wilkinson and National Cyclo-cross Champion Paul Oldham, also a local rider, were joined by Nick Rudge of the headline sponsor cottages4you and Brian Cookson, Executive Director of Pendle Borough Council to launch the ever popular event.
All donned their cycling gear and took to the saddle in great spirits to try out the route for the cottages4you Pendle Predator Cycle Challenge which takes place on Sunday 7th August.
Nick Rudge of cottages4you says ‘We’ve been delighted to sponsor the event for the last 4 years and have seen it get bigger and better each year. It is such a fantastic showcase for the Pendle area and really pays tribute to the stunning routes we have around us. The event gives us chance to give back to the community and encourage everybody to get out on the bike and find out how much fun cycling brings to all.’
The launch also attracted young cyclists from Cycle Sport Pendle, who were not too far behind the elite climbing up beside Pendle Hill. Ian Wilkinson, who rides for Team Endura said ‘The Pendle Cycle Fest is so great for the area. Being a regular rider at Colne Grand Prix I find that you always try harder at home and then support drives you on. The crowds are always so great here. Riding for Team Endura I have team mates from all over the country and whenever they come here to race they always stick around for a while and comment on what a fantastic place it is to ride, you have national parks and stunning moors all within a 5mile radius.’
The cottages4you Pendle Predator Cycle Challenge is part of Pendle Cycle Fest which also includes a free cycle show which runs alongside the Pendle Predator Cycle Challenge on the 7th August and the thrills and spills of street racing at the Colne Grand Prix on Wednesday 13th July. Further details are available at www.pendlepredator.co.uk.
Brian Cookson, Executive Director of Pendle Borough Council has been involved with Pendle Cycle Fest since the very start. “Excitement is building now for the 2011 Pendle Cycle Fest, It keeps growing year on year and with local riders Paul Oldham and Ian Wilkinson expected to be riding Colne Grand Prix this year, it’s great to be supporting local cyclists”
Other supporters of the Pendle Cycle Fest include The Eric Wright Group and Hope Technology.
