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Extending over an 18 day period, the Haslemere Festival has been a popular and successful part of the town’s cultural offer for the last five years.
This year, the organisers have decided to broaden the Festival’s appeal by introducing a series of cycling events. The series has been designed for both active cyclists and those who have been inspired by the success of British cyclists at the Olympics and Tour de France last year, as well as spectators.
Town Centre Road Races ; 17 May
The events will kick off with a series of town centre road races, starting and finishing in the High Street, around a tough little 3 mile course. The morning will comprise three 1 hour + 1 lap races for The League of Veteran Racing Cyclists, with the afternoon for the Surrey League as well as possibly an inter-twin-town race with a team from Bernay, Normandy.
Come & Try Mountain Biking; 25 May
Most southern-based mountain bikers know the Haslemere area for the wonderful sandstone hills surrounding the town and owned by the National Trust, which provide many miles of (relatively) dry trails. In conjunction with Cycleworks, the local cycle shop, we are joining the festivities on the Bank Holiday Monday at Lion Green, with an invite to all those who have an mtb but are not sure where to go, to those who do not even have a bike.
The Haslemere Festival Sportive aka ‘Little lumpy’ 31 May
Run on the last day of the festival, the final event is a fully supported timed sportive. Designed to appeal to all levels, with a 30 mile ‘Fun’, a 60mile ‘Challenge’ and the 100 mile / 6,800ft of climbing ‘Epic’.
Again, we are aiming for the carnival atmosphere more usually found on the Continent, with a town centre start and finish. Mechanical back-up at the start and en- route will be provided by Cycleworks.
Whilst we are hoping for a strong turnout from the usual Sportivists, we really want to encourage cycling in the area, by persuading as many as possible to enter the Fun, which has but two nasty little hills.
For further details email [email protected]
