WARRINGTON isn’t just hosting the start and finish of Stage 3 of the first-ever Women’s Tour of Britain cycle race – it’s encouraging local people to make a day of it.
The borough council has teamed up with partners to create an exciting Tour Village in Bank Park which promises a range of sporting and cultural activities for all the family on the big day, Saturday, June 8.
Activities and showcases will include stalls and special displays, exhibits from race partners and Cheshire Cycle Hub.
The Tour Village gets underway at 10am and runs until 3pm. People will be able to soak up the atmosphere and excitement of the day to enjoy the Tour Village and wait for the riders to depart the Golden Gates at around 11am.
Stall holders and activities at the Tour Village will include:
• Extreme mountain bike displays taking place at 10.30am, 11.20am and 1.40pm
• Livewire will be hosting a range of games and activities including health checks, static bike timed challenges, a rower time challenge and triathlon showcase
• Cheshire Cycles will have the Dr Bike Shop (bike repairs) and E-bike trials
• Smarter Travel Choices will have an information stall about active travel
• Warrington’s Climate Commission Group will be sharing information about Warrington’s local climate change response
• North Cheshire Clarion and British Cycling – There’ll be the opportunity to ride bikes and be coached by members of the North Cheshire Clarion Cycling Club. You may even get the chance to ride on the start / finish straight too! Sessions are aimed at young riders (up to the age of 16). These sessions will support people to build confidence and improve bike handling skills in a relaxed and supportive setting – all under the expert guidance of qualified coaches. Sessions will start at 10am, 11am and 12pm.
• BikeRight Balance Bikes – Bikeability Balance is a fun session for children, normally in Reception or Year 1. Bikeright will supply balance bikes and helmets and children will be taught in rolling groups between 10:30am and 11:30am. Please feel free to bring your own balance bikes and helmets if you have them. There will be an opportunity for photos at the Women’s Tour of Britain finish line afterwards.
Borough council chief executive Prof Steven Broomhead said: “The Tour Village is the ideal way to welcome visitors from across the borough and beyond for what will be a momentous cycling celebration.
“We are very proud to be bringing the Tour of Britain to Warrington again and we want to make it a very special occasion. Please show your support by heading down to the Tour Village any time between 10am and 3pm and join us in giving the cyclists a very warm Warrington send off, and an equally loud return, when the race concludes at the Golden Gates at around 2.15pm.”
Saturday June 8 promises to be a great family day out, with Warrington Pride also taking place in the town centre. With the Pride parade and activities taking place across Time Square and Golden Square, there’s plenty to do and see after the peleton departs at 11am.
You can find out about all the activities taking place by visiting: Warrington Pride.
Alongside the Tour Village and Warrington Pride, residents and visitors will also get the chance to discover the thrilling history of cycling at the ‘On Yer Bike’ exhibition at Warrington museum, browse Golden Square shopping centre, visit Time Square, and catch their breath in the cultural quarter which features bars, restaurants, Queen’s Gardens and the Pyramid Arts Centre and Parr Hall.
For more information about the Tour of Britain, and to help plan your day, visit warrington.gov.uk/tourofbritain
Warrington hosted the Men’s Tour of Britain in 2021.
