Riders pass Beelzebub (Darcey Ball) and the Archangel Michael (Sennen Richards-Fardell), characters from the historic Ordinalia trilogy, near St Just. Photo by Jon Rowley
A Wheely Good Day The Tour of Britain began in Cornwall on Sunday, September 5. Some of the world’s best cyclists left Penzance and rode a circuitous 111-mile route to Bodmin, passing through many Cornish towns to the delight of massed crowds. Among the riders were former BBC Sports Personality of the Year Mark Cavendish MBE, UCI World Road Champion Julian Alaphilippe and Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert, who
seized the victory in
this opening stage, and would later be crowned champion at the finishing line in Aberdeen on September 12. He described the Grand Depart as “a tough stage,” adding: “It was almost overwhelming seeing the amount of crowds at the side of the roads. It’s nice to see people outside again, especially in a crowd together, and it’s nice to see people are so crazy about cycling. It makes it more beautiful when we win.” Riders from Cornwall’s own Saint Piran team were also in the peloton. Team principal Richard Pascoe described the event as “a lifetime’s ambition to get a grassroots team
into
the
premiership...
accomplished in six years.” n 6 |
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The build-up to the big day saw a raft of cycling-related announcements including the granting of planning permission for a new £7 million state of the art Cornwall Cycle Hub. In a partnership between British Cycling, Cornwall Council and Sport England, the hub will be built on councilowned land near the Newquay Aerohub Business Park, as a destination for riders to enjoy a range of exciting, fun and exhilarating cycling activities in 54 acres of enhanced natural environment. The site will provide a national standard closed road circuit racing track and European standard BMX track. Trained staff will provide coaching to develop skills and bike handling for all ages and abilities, from the youngest child learning on a balance bike to someone who has been referred through their GP, or someone who wants to learn how to ride their e-bike safely. In addition, 10 community cycle tracks are to be built throughout Cornwall. Walking and cycling charity Sustrans is working with schools that will house the tracks for use by the wider community too, in a project funded by Cornwall Council and British Cycling. Some schools have also purchased fleets of bikes that can be used on the
| Volume 2 Issue 68 | October - November 2021
track, and staff will be trained to lead cycle sessions. Locations include Penzance, Camborne, Falmouth, Truro, Newquay, Bodmin, Liskeard, Charlestown and Stratton. Seven tracks have already been completed by specialist track builders; the remaining tracks will be built during the autumn. Sustrans’ Active Travel Officer, Nick Ratcliffe, who co-ordinated the cycle track programme said: “These tracks will provide these communities with somewhere safe and local for people of all abilities to learn and enjoy. They will help to encourage greater cycle confidence and develop bike handling skills. I hope that the tracks not only generate enthusiasm for more active lifestyles in the community, but also develop local talent. Maybe a future Olympic star will start their cycling career on one of these tracks.” This cycle track programme is one of many cycling projects being implemented by Cornwall Council that have been inspired by Tour of Britain’s approaching visit. Cornwall Council portfolio holder for transport Philip Desmonde said: “We’re building a home for cycling in Cornwall so the inspiration and legacy of the Tour of Britain will benefit Cornwall’s residents for years to come.” l
