Cycling Festival

Thousands of enthusiastic cyclists limbered up for this year's Isle of Wight Cycling Festival, now renowned for being one of the UK's favourite cycling events, organised by the IOW Council with the support of local cycling clubs and organisations. The Cycling Festival took place between the 15th and 23rd September and offered participants a wealth of un-missable opportunities to enjoy breathtaking scenery whilst enhancing their fitness levels at the same time.

Professional cyclist Tony Doyle MBE officially opened the event at Seaclose Park in Newport on the morning of Saturday 15th with celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock on-hand to help get the proceedings off to a good start. The launch day also featured a fantastic free cycle show, cycle safety course and cycle circus, plus mountain bike stunt display. A team of earnest Isle of Wight firefighters who are shortly planning to cycle to the Vatican in Rome for charity, were present at the opening ceremony to lend their support to the event.

A flurry of invigorating fulfilment for all

This year's Isle of Wight Cycling Festival featured over 40 different rides around the Island throughout the 9-day event; encompassing Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, picnic rides, family routes, healthy excursions, off-road trails and children's activity rides as well as the traditional big name challenges.

Fresh from the official launch, spectators were able to watch as homemade pedal powered crafts attempt to make it across the River Medina without getting wet. The humorous 'Sink or Swim' competition is a very unique feature of the Cycling Festival here on the Island. Cyclists must navigate a pedal powered vessel across the water (designed and built by themselves) whilst racing against the clock to beat their competitors and avoiding contact with the water below.

Inexhaustible stamina and determination

The ever-popular 'Hills Killer Challenge' took place on Sunday 23rd September and witnessed 280 competitors tackling the mountain bike orienteering challenge. The participants were given the chance to pit their bike and their stamina against routes incorporating 3, 7 or 14 hills. The exceptionally tough course this year caught several keen cyclists out, but was enjoyed by all regardless. Please click here to view the results of the Hills Killer Challenge 2007.

The other headline event, 'Cycle the Wight,' took place on Sunday 16th September around the Island's spectacular coastline. Over 500 competitors took part in this event, which attracted riders from all over the country. Sponsorship from Red Funnel and Wightlink helped to encourage more visitors to the Island and as well as these two organisations, the council's Events Team would also like to express their thanks to the British Heart Foundation for their support. Well done top all the riders who took part and raised money for this very worthwhile charity.

A bicycle made for two?

For the super fit, two triathlons were added to this year's programme. Both events had a challenging cycle route to test the rider's skills to the limit. The triathlon programme began with the Wight Challenge on Saturday 15th September with a 32km cycle ride, 16km run and a 4km open open canoe race and was later followed by the West Wight Triathlon on Sunday 16 September which included a 35km cycle ride, 600m pool swim and a 7.5km run.
For those riding solo in the saddle the opportunity loomed for them to find love during the special "singles" cycling event that took place on September 22. The ride departed from Shanklin railway station and proceeded back in a circle via Godshill's scenic Sunshine Trail.

Leader of the Isle of Wight Council and the cabinet member for leisure, communications and regeneration Cllr David Pugh, said: "The IW Cycling Festival involves thousands of people and is one of the largest cycling festivals in Europe. The Island has a deserved reputation as one of the best areas in the UK and we are proud to be associated with an increasingly popular holiday activity which also promotes an active and healthy lifestyles."

Applause all round

The Cycling Festival was incredibly successful this year with many more people taking part in the various activities and events in comparison to last year. The Events Team would like to thank the ride leaders and all those who signed up and completed the rides, whilst also expressing their gratitude to the Bike Shed and Vectis Road Cycling Club for help with setting the course. Jordan's Cereals, Southern Water and Mountjoy also took the lead in sponsoring the many prizes.

The Isle of Wight Cycling Festival takes place next year from the 13th - 21st September 2008.

Back to the Top