Isle of Wight Cycling Festival

Each day of the week-long festival will offer cyclists the opportunity to sample different cycling routes that will take in the most picturesque areas of the Island and local landmarks. Sponsored by ferry companies Wightlink and Red Funnel and Ordnance Survey as well as others, the festival runs between 19 and 27 September. It offers a huge range of opportunities to cycle on the Isle of Wight and enjoy the county's spectacular scenery in the saddle.

It includes popular events such as 'Cycle the Wight', a 70 mile road route around the Island's spectacular coastline, and 'The Hills Killer', a challenging orienteering ride from one side of the Island to the other.
 
CYCLING FESTIVAL LAUNCH
Cycle show and family fun day

There will be a free cycle show on the launch day which will include Team Extreme stunt shows, cycling skills, free guided rides, cycle hire, electric bikes, road safety displays and family entertainment including face painting, bouncy castles, magic shows and circus skills.
 
Once again the Sink or Swim Cycle Race will return - where participants build their own floating bikes and try and get across the River Medina without sinking. Riders will navigate a pedal-powered vessel across the river avoiding the water below! It is free to enter but participants need to build their own pedal-powered bike/boat in advance and are encouraged to get building them ready for the event.
 
 
CYCLE THE WIGHT Could you take up the challenge of cycling around the Isle of Wight to help a major charity and St Mary's Hospital in Newport?
 
Money raised from the event will go to the British Heart Foundation which will help St Mary's Hospital in Newport buy a new Echocardiograph - a state of the art piece of equipment that can help diagnose heart disease.
 
There are two routes that participants can take on the Round The Island Challenge on Sunday 20 September. These can be either 50 miles or 70 miles. Competitors will start and subsequently finish at the same location. There are four registration, start and finish points across the Island. These are Western Gardens in Ryde (next to the entrance to the pier), Viewpoint Car park in Blackgang, Yarmouth Primary School* (*Yarmouth is not a start point for the 50 miles route) and the Red Funnel Car Park in East Cowes. Each one will open at around 0900 on the day.
 
For cyclists who want to take part but feel the length of the routes are too much of a challenge, there is a smaller 15 mile family route available. This leaves from Shanklin Train Station at 1000 and lasts around three and a half hours. It costs £2 per adult and is free for children.
 
 
HILLS KILLER
Sunday 27 September sees the annual Hills Killer Challenge take place on the Island as part of the 2009 Isle of Wight Cycling Festival. Online registration is available via www.sunseaandcycling.com.
 
There are three levels that cyclists can take on. These are the 3 Hills Challenge for the family and budding cyclists, the 7 Hills Challenge for those that like to take on a difficult event, and the ultra-tough 14 Hills Challenge. The latter takes in routes across most of the Island's major hills and downs, including Chillerton, Brading and Ventnor. This event is only recommended for fit and healthy cyclists who regularly cycle long distances.
 
Each participant on the day is given an electronic chip that records your time and the route you take. This works by the cyclist scanning the chip at each checkpoint. Anyone who does not scan their chip or misses a check point may be disqualified. Everyone who completes the respective challenges will receive a t-shirt and there will be other prizes.
 
Riders are reminded that at each level of the Hills Killer Challenge, the event is NOT a race and is for personal achievement only. Those taking part are required to wear a helmet and should also bring an Ordnance Survey Map, refreshments and a puncture repair kit and spare inner tube.
 
 
FAMILY RIDES - CHANGE FOR LIFE
With young people in mind, every year we expand our series of children's rides with the hope of encouraging parents to get their children cycling at a young age.  Not only is it a pastime which is entirely free - it's a physical activity which is essential to a child's development and growth.  The earlier exercise is introduced into your child's life, the greater the chance they will carry this pattern into adulthood.
 
CHARITY RIDES
At least a dozen organisations will receive money as a result of this year's Isle of Wight Cycling Festival - organised by Isle of Wight Council. A number of rides throughout the week will each raise cash for charity with each one expected to prove popular.
 
Kicking off the week is the Wight Challenge in Porchfield. This is a triathlon event with money raised going to Wessex Heartbeat. Also on the day is the Age Concern Wheel of Life Challenge in Seaclose Park in Newport.
 
Other charities all benefiting from rides include the Ellen MacArthur Trust, British Heart Foundation and the Parkinson's Disease Society, Freshwater Lifeboat, Gift to Nature, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, the Earl Mountbatten Hospice the Tear Fund and the NSPCC.