AN exciting family-fun cycling festival will be returning to Andover for the fourth time.
Andover Cycling Festival will take place across a weekend starting on Saturday, July 29 and will have a range of entertainment and rides for everyone to enjoy.
The festival, in partnership with Andover Vision, Hampshire County Council and event sponsors Stannah, AddVenture-Leisure and Halo Sports aims to increase activity and participation for Andover Residents and local communities.
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A Cycle Cinema at Vigo Park starts the entertainment on the evening of July 29 with a cinema powered by cyclists and featuring the popular film Grease. Attendees can enjoy a cycle power-generated film without turning a pedal.
The Under 12s children’s event on July 30 starts at 10.00am on a closed barrier circuit in the High Street. For approximately one hour, youngsters can come and pedal around the circuit for as many laps as they like. Participation medals, sponsored by Stannah, will be presented at the end of their ride.
The 80 and 50-mile routes follow the favourite routes from previous editions of the cycling festival and head north of Andover to Littlecote House in Wiltshire for the first refreshment station, before the 80-milers head to Lambourn in Berkshire.
Cyclists will take in a short spell in Oxfordshire before heading back to Andover via Kintbury, to pick up the 50-mile route again and back through the lanes to the finish outside the Guildhall in Andover
The 15-mile ride is designed for families with young teenagers, riders new to cycling and cyclists wanting a shorter ride on a Sunday morning. There are medals for all finishers, again sponsored by Stannah.
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The festival is also taking place in association with the charity Inspired Living, a branch of Cancer Research UK and a donation will be made to Inspired Living.
The event village at the start/finish area will have various stands, cycle shop stands and cycling information for Andover and its cycle network. There are also plenty of cafes to sit and enjoy the event taking place for refreshment.
For more event information and visit andovercyclingfestival.com or britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/282740.
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