PEAK DISTRICT: First cycling festival is a “big hit”

Biking fever has hit the Peak District this week as the region hosts the first festival celebrating all things cycling.
Peak Cycle Festival, off for a circuit of Carsington Water, Beverley Beck and daughter Elizabeth and the Chapman family, Steve, Tammy, Jack and OliviaPeak Cycle Festival, off for a circuit of Carsington Water, Beverley Beck and daughter Elizabeth and the Chapman family, Steve, Tammy, Jack and Olivia
Peak Cycle Festival, off for a circuit of Carsington Water, Beverley Beck and daughter Elizabeth and the Chapman family, Steve, Tammy, Jack and Olivia

Determined to put the Peak on the map as the UK’s capital of cycling, Visit Peak District & Derbyshire are laying on a nine-day programme of bike-related activities, featuring more than 60 rides and events.

The festival was officially launched on September 7 with an opening ride hosted by Bakewell-based Olympic mountain biker, and festival patron, Annie Last.

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David James, chief executive of the tourist board, said: “We’re very keen to position the Peak District as the UK’s capital of cycling, and this new festival is spearheading a number of initiatives to help achieve our goal.”

Peak Cycle Festival, Annie Last assisted by David James of Visit Peaks and the Peak Park's Jim Dixon launches the eventPeak Cycle Festival, Annie Last assisted by David James of Visit Peaks and the Peak Park's Jim Dixon launches the event
Peak Cycle Festival, Annie Last assisted by David James of Visit Peaks and the Peak Park's Jim Dixon launches the event

He added: “I was there at the festival’s launch event in Baslow and that was a big hit. It was completely full. The response has been really positive.”

The festival culminates this weekend with a three-day camping event at Thornbridge Outdoors, Great Longstone, and bookings are now being taken for the remaining events on the roster.

David James, added: “The website has a live bookings system so you can see what is fully subscribed and where there are places left.

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“There is still time for people to get involved in the festival, which comes ahead of 2014 – the year of cycling.”

Peak Cycle Festival, Annie LastPeak Cycle Festival, Annie Last
Peak Cycle Festival, Annie Last

Annie Last, 23, said: ““I was lucky enough to grow up here. Now, as a professional cyclist, I love to return between international events to train on a variety of roads, tracks and challenging trails in Britain’s first National Park.”

Full details – including information on how to book for individual events – can be found at http://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/pdcf.

Printed brochures are also available from tourist information centres in and around the Peak District.