Warwickshire News Mine

But while it’s true that Britain’s top cycling elite will be battling it out on the streets for precious qualifying points, there will also be some fun and games on the race circuit as this year pioneers a unicycle category.

And there are some prestigious names from both the local and international unicycling world lining up to take on the challenge.

Unicycling current World Champion for the Unlimited Marathon Roger Davies will be competing, and joining him will be a Warwickshire politician. Former Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth and borough councillor Ian Lloyd is to turn out for the event.

Cllr Lloyd spent his mayoral year learning how to use a unicycle and a key focal point of his year was a charity ride from Nuneaton to Bedworth on a unicycle.

Other activities will see trike races, plus plenty of sideshow entertainment as the centre of Warwick is transformed into one of the biggest closed road cycling events in the country with attractions for all the family.

And don’t think the races are just for the professionals as they are open to everyone and anyone can enter on the day - even if you have not competed before. There are many race categories culminating in the grand finale of the men’s elite race.

Warwickshire County Council even has some staff competing this year in the 3rd - 4th Category race (just one category below elite level) including Steven Falk, Senior Keeper of Natural History at the Warwickshire Museum. He will be in familiar territory as the race circuit starts outside Shire Hall passes through the Market Place round and onto the High St.

Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet member for the Environment, said: “I’m really looking forward to this year’s event and will be joining many other people from across both the county and the country in watching the spectacle.

“Cycling is a great leisure pursuit, way to commute, and way to keep healthy, and on September 17 we’ll see how some of the top riders perform.”

The town centre is set to come alive with the buzz of the races as thousands turn up to spectate, and this year there will be lots to do and see with cheerleading and juggling displays, bike post coding for Warwickshire residents (must bring proof of residency), prize draws and a mini cycle circuit for the kids to test their riding talent. A fun day out for all the family.

There are many ways to travel to the races, for those who are TravelWise you can go by bike there is cycle parking outside Shire Hall, Swan St, Sainsbury’s, St John’s (outside shops), New St Car park, West St, Train Station and St Nicholas Park or by train the station is a 10 minute walk from the Town Centre and there are bus links, with the following Sunday services provided by Stagecoach directly operating to Warwick. The 18A from both Leamington and Stratford, including Wellesbourne and Barford. The X1 from Coventry, University of Warwick, Kenilworth and Stratford. The 66 from Whitnash, Leamington and parts of Warwick including the Percy Estate, Woodloes Park and the Cape. As buses will be unable to access the usual stops in Market Street, Stagecoach buses will be using the stops in Theatre Street, Saltisford and North Rock.

Just because the circuit roads are closed there are still places accessible by car just outside the town centre such as St Nicholas Park or alternatively you can still get into the town centre along the Butts and Bowling Green Street and there are a number of places to park these include Barrack St (free on Sunday), Westgate, West Rock, Linen St, and Castle Lane car parks.

Warwick is the place to be on Sunday 17th September, miss it and miss out!
Races start at 12pm and they conclude with the elite presentations at 6pm.

For more information visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/travelwise

Link to WCC