News – Aberystwyth Cycle Festival Returns

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Aberystwyth Cycle Festival returns for a sixth year this May Bank Holiday weekend, with seven action packed days planned from May 18th through to May 24th.

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News – Aberystwyth Cycle Festival Returns

Last year’s events such as the Pearl Izumi Tour Series, Constitution Hill mountain bike downhill race, and the Welsh Wild West sportive road ride were the busiest yet, with over 1,100 riders taking part . Festival organisers are receiving enquiries from cyclists and spectators from all over the UK as the reputation of AberCycleFest has grown to become one of the most well regarded celebrations of cycling in Wales.

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The addition of social ‘fringe events’ for 2015 mean that the festival begins on May 18th with an MTB social ride at Nant yr Arian, kicking off a whole week cycling related activities.

A gala evening at the National Library of Wales, limited to just 98 guests will feature two shorts films and a Q&A session with former Tour Series Winner Dean Downing. The event is free to enter and bookings are being taken by Summit Cycles in Aberystwyth.

A social night on May 19th at MG’s Cafe is being held and invites cyclists from all backgrounds to gather and have some fun with a roller racing competition and a talk from journalist and frame builder Richard Hallett.

Friday 22nd May is the main feature of the festival with the welcome return of ITV4’s Pearl Izumi Tour Series professional criterium race and the addition of a hill climb on Cliff Terrace. Fifty of the UK’s top professional road cyclists will battle it out around the streets of the town, firstly on the hill climb at 2pm and later for one hour at 7.30pm. Olympic champions Ed Clancy and Steven Burke are due to ride as is Bradley Wiggins new professional racing team, ‘Team Wiggins’.

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This year’s race will start & finish in Pier Street and follow a clockwise route through Upper Gt. Darkgate St, Seaview Place, Promenade and back onto Pier St. Proceedings start from 2pm with the popular local schools races, followed by a Town vs Gown adult fun race and later the Aberystwyth Seafront Criteriums for serious amateur riders before the professionals take over.

Saturdays ‘Conquer the Cliff’ mountain bike downhill is a hugely popular spectator event, with almost 2,000 supporters lining the route at Constitution Hill on a gloriously sunny day. 2013.  World Champion Manon Carpenter is due to return with her Madison-Saracen team, along with over 150 top downhillers from Wales & further afield. Sunday is the mass participation day with the Continental Welsh Wild West sportive taking place from Aberystwyth and incorporating four stunning routes through the Ceredigion countryside of 26, 41, 70 or 114 miles depending on ability.

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The ride is fully supported via Continental Tyres in terms of mechanical back up. Full route details and online entry can be found at www.abercyclefest.com.

AberCycleFest is organised by volunteers from the town and is funded by Ceredigion County Council, Aberystwyth Town Council, Cambrian Tyres Ltd and other local businesses.

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(Pictured  Gareth Lloyd (Cabinet member for economic development & tourism), Mayoress of Aberystwyth Cllr Brenda Haines, Festival Organiser Shelley Childs, Zach May (NFTO), Cllr Ellen ap Gwyn (Ceredigion County Council Leader), ToBi (Tour Series mascot), Gruff Lewis (Pedal Heaven Race Team), Cllr Gill Hopley (Vice Chair)

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