Celebrating the bicycle at Daventry Cyclefest

Families can try blending their own smoothies, playing Scalextric and even running a sound system using pedal power as Cyclefest returns to Daventry Country Park.

The event, which also features a range of have-a-go toddler, retro and crazy bikes plus stalls and other activities, is organised by Daventry District Council in partnership with Northamptonshire Highways and Cycle Northants.

Running from 11am to 2pm, it should provide a perfect post-ride stop-off for people taking part in that morning’s 2016 Daventry Cycling Club charity cycle.

Returning for its second year, the charity cycle offers various rides setting off between 8.30am and 10.30am, from a leisurely 20km aimed at families, to more challenging 50km and 113km routes.

All of them start and finish at Daventry Leisure Centre and will be signposted and marshalled, with mechanical support and free feed stations along the way courtesy of Joy Ride Cycles in Weedon and Leisure Lakes in Daventry.

Online entry costs £10 for the leisure ride or £15 for the longer rides (family tickets available) with all proceeds going to Myton Hospices and the Daventry-based rehabilitation trust Reach for Health.

Find out more at https://cycleformyton.wordpress.com

Councillor Alan Hills, Community, Culture and Leisure Portfolio Holder at Daventry District Council, said: “Cyclefest is a fantastic free event which aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to have a go at cycling and see the benefits it has to offer, while the charity cycle ride is a great way to raise money for good causes while exploring our beautiful countryside.

“The huge levels of support for the Aviva Women’s Tour last month showed the popularity of cycling in our district, and I hope anyone who took inspiration from that event is encouraged to take part in these activities.”

Another opportunity to get into cycling this summer is offered by Tour Ride Northamptonshire on Sunday, 17 July. The official sportive of the Aviva Women’s tour, the event takes place at Delapre Abbey in Northampton and offers riders a choice of 10, 40 and 80-mile routes. For more information and to sign up visit www.tourride.co.uk.