News – Mildenhall Cycling Rally

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Mildenhall is gearing up for the visit of thousands of cyclists this weekend when the Mildenhall Cycling Rally takes place

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News – Mildenhall Cycling Rally

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The festival of just about everything cycling will, as usual, take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 23rd – Monday 25th August 2014) at Mildenhall College’s Sheldrick Way Site, whose grounds and playing fields will become a temporary campsite for nearly 400 caravan and camping pitches.

“The Rally is known throughout the UK’s cycling community as one of the best all-round cycling weekends that appeals to cyclists of all ages and especially families. Although it is important to stress that the event is open to everyone locally as well.” said Mark Burchett the chairman of the organisers, Mildenhall Cycling Club.

For the first time in three years they expect the campsite to be full. Mark Burchett explained “I would advise anybody who has not yet booked their camp or caravan pitch, to check on availability on the Rally website before travelling to avoid any disappointment, as we expect by the weekend to be full.”

The organisers have seen an increase in entries for many of the events at the Rally, particularly from the younger aged children, so they are expecting it to be a bumper weekend. This also includes the two-day Trade Show (Sunday and Monday) open to the public, which will see new companies exhibiting and trading at the Rally for the first time. This is a unique opportunity for the cyclists attending the Rally who already know the advantages of the Trade Show, as well as local people to see a variety of companies selling a complete range of complete cycles to accessories often at bargain prices, all on their doorstep!

With the popularity of cycling continuing to grow, the Safer Neighbourhood Team of Suffolk Police in Mildenhall will have a presence at the Rally everyday. Part of that will include giving out free security advice and the secure marking of cycles, which will be completely free of charge and open to everyone, whether they’re staying at the Rally or are local residents.

The grass-track will as ever form the centrepiece of the Rally, with a full supporting list of grass-track events everyday from 12noon. Such is the interest from juvenile riders (under 16) that Saturday’s track programme is devoted solely to them and again like camping, the numbers entered are up on last year. The seniors, including a very healthy number of women entered, will contest the racing on the Sunday and Monday.

Other competitive events include the Madison Cyclo-Cross on Monday combining the slick sections of the grass with the adjacent woodland, which provides an early season test for the serious riders, while for the novices can still take part and enjoy it.

Especially for the under 17’s there will be the Children’s Duathlon on Sunday, which will see them cycle and run within the confines of the Rally site. And for the under 16’s West Suffolk Wheelers and Triathlon Club will be running the Go-Ride Skilful Riding on Saturday morning.

On the touring front, C.T.C. (Cyclists Touring Club) Suffolk will be organising 50, 100, 160, 200 & 300km Audax Rides on the Saturday. For those that want something more relaxing, Mildenhall Cycling Club will have their range of touring leaflets, offering a variety of scenery over varying distances.

Other attractions will include the tabletop Cycle Jumble on Saturday, which has completely sold out. On a relaxing note on Sunday there will be the ever-popular Rally Quiz Night.

The Rally is an ideal day-out for families, whether you’re from a cycling background or not. Every day there will be the Children’s Sports, while on the Sunday and Monday there will be the bouncy castle and face painter. Additionally on the Sunday there will be Adam Strange with his Magic and Puppet Shows and on the Monday, a circus skills-workshop! All of these attractions for the children are completely free of charge. In addition to this there is free day parking and free entry to the Rally site.

If you want to watch a potential future International or Olympic cycling Champion there’s no better place than the Mildenhall Cycling Rally. It can boast among its many thousands of competitors over the years such impressive stars as Nicole Cook MBE, Ben Swift, Jason Kenny OBE, Steve Burke MBE, Emma and Laura Trott OBE and of course Victoria Pendleton CBE, who was a member of the Mildenhall club when she was growing up. It’s grass-tracks like this where these young riders cut their teeth and there can be no denying that the skills they learnt have stood them in very good stead on the top international stages around the world.

“With the help of Forest Heath District Council, we will be expanding the amount of recycling facilities for Rally visitors and campers to recycle more of their waste after last year’s successful trial,” Mark Burchett added.

Full details of everything happening and when it takes place at the Rally can be found at www.mildenhallrally.org.uk

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