Residents and businesses are being encouraged to get cycling during National Bike Week (13 -21 June 2015) and start training for the Aviva Tour Ride which takes place in Worcestershire later this year.
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership is hosting the 2015 Aviva Tour Ride on Sunday 4 October 2015 which builds on the success of hosting a stage of last September’s (2014) Friends Life Tour of Britain, the UK’s biggest professional cycle race.
Taking place on Sunday 4 October 2015, three options for the Ride will be available to suit a range of abilities, headlined by a 100-mile challenging route which will showcase some of the most attractive and amongst the toughest climbs in Worcestershire as well as a 75 mile route of a similar terrain. Both incorporate elements of the 2014 Tour of Britain ridden by Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish.
Potential entrants can also choose a flatter 40-mile option should the shorter distance be more appealing. Local people are now being encouraged to get on their bikes and start training for the event with numerous attractive cycling routes being available on the County Council’s website at www.worcestershire.gov.uk.
This year’s Bike Week also has a special focus to encourage people to use their bikes to cycle to work. Businesses can also get involved in the Tour Ride with sponsorship opportunities available as well as by entering teams to compete for prizes:
- Best dressed
- Biggest team
- Most raised for charity.
Mark Stansfeld, Chair at Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We know that high profile sporting events benefit our economy hugely, with the Tour of Britain last year providing a £1m boost to our local businesses and we look forward to hosting this high profile mass participation event showing off some of the best parts of Worcestershire.”
“Now is a great time to start training and for businesses to consider the commercial opportunities that the Tour Ride will present.
“Entering a team is a great opportunity for team building across the whole business, encouraging colleagues at work in wider healthy interests, gain publicity for your business plus raising money for worthy causes.
”Councillor John Smith, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways, said: “This will be the second high profile cycling event in the County this year with only last month, the Tour Series being hosted successfully in Redditch for the fourth year running.
“Bike Week is a great time to consider the social, economic, health and environmental benefits of cycling. I would encourage local people and businesses to get behind the Tour Ride and enter an event that suits their ability. Log on to our website to view the many cycling routes in the County and enjoy some fantastic Worcestershire scenery as you train for this event.
”Recognising the role that sport and cycling has in boosting the local economy, the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership is working closely with the organisers, Sweetspot, and partners to bring this important sportive to the County: Worcestershire County Council, Worcester City Council, Wychavon District Council, Malvern Hills District Council and Wyre Forest District Council who will welcome the route into their districts as well as the University of Worcester (Arena) and Worcester Racecourse who are hosting the start and the finish locations.
To register for the event, which costs £26 to enter, visit the Aviva Tour Ride website at www.tourride.co.uk For further information on the sponsorship opportunities available contact enquiries@wlep.co.uk or call 01905 672700. For opportunities for group bookings, contact Luke Murphy at Sweetspot on 01932 831485 or email AndyB@TheTour.co.uk.