Organisers of the Ayrshire Women’s Cycling Festival are gearing up to bring a fascinating three-day event to the region next month.
This will be the 6th annual women’s cycling festival and it is always a keenly anticipated event.
The festival is a partnership project delivered by The Kilmarnock Active Travel Hub, The Ayr Active Travel Hub and The Trinity Hub in Irvine.
Fay Podger, active travel hub officer, said: “This is our 6th annual Ayrshire Women’s Cycle Festival to support and inspire women in Ayrshire and worldwide to cycle more, regardless of their current cycling ability or experience.
“In previous years, the festival has been a face-to-face event with Women’s bike rides forming part of the programme.
“Once the Covid pandemic hit, we had to re-think how we could deliver this and decided to take the festival online.
“This year, we're delighted to be able to bring a blended approach to our programme . We'll have a mixture of live speakers and pre-recorded talks and from women with very different experiences and backgrounds around cycling, bike maintenance videos and inspiring films.”
Additional fringe events will take place with partner groups throughout the week.
Fay continued: “With Covid still playing a part in our lives, we are tackling the subjects of long covid and how cycling and exercise can help aid recovery both physically and mentally.
“This year’s event also includes an online and in-person Yoga session and female-led bike rides.”
The festival will take place over Thursday, May 5, Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7.
Everything is free and everyone is welcome.
Sign-up is required, though, for the live talks and panel Q&A sessions.
The programme is available to download now at https://ayrshirewomenscyclefestival.org/programme/ and all activities are now live for booking up.
Fay said: “This year our main in-person event is taking place on Saturday, May 7 at The Trinity Active Travel Hub in Irvine, with amazing live speakers, a pedal powered film screening, Dr Bike, bike security marking and come and try sessions with cargo bikes and all ability bikes.
“Our online programme this year takes place on Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6 with talks, presentations and Q&As on a range of cycling related topics."
Meanwhile, a Pedal for Scotland Event is coming to Irvine on Sunday, May 8.
Aimed at families this free to enter, inclusive, mass participation cycle ride will start and finish at the Maritime Museum in Irvine.
The 10km route will be on closed roads and off-road cycle paths taking a tour of the Beach Park and National Cycle Network.
There will be medals handed out, freebies, competitions and a range of partners to welcome you on completion of the course.
To find out more and to book your places at this event you can register at www.cycling.scot/pedal-for-scotland/irvine
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