The Newport Nocturne cycle race in Shropshire offers a unique incentive to the riders; the winner of the floodlit cycle race, which takes place this year on Saturday, September 4th will get his weight in beer.
What started off as a one-off publicity stunt a few years ago has become something of a tradition at the popular event. Back in 2001, a local engineering company made some giant scales at the request of the race organisers. Promoter Nick Jeggo explained; “In France they sometimes have quite unusual prizes for bike races. Winners can win a field or a cow and sometimes their weight in the local cheese. We thought that beer might be more fun and who needs that much cheese anyway?”
The weigh-in ceremony proved to be a huge success and its popularity since then has meant that it is now customary. Paul Quinn, the landlord of Newport hostelry The Pheasant, supplies the beer, but it gets more expensive for him each time because the race winners have taken to sitting the podium girls and even other riders on their laps during the ceremony. “I don’t mind so long as they don’t break the scales!” said Paul.
The Newport Nocturne takes place in Newport, Shropshire on the evening of Saturday, September 4th.
