World champion racing cyclist Graeme Obree is to officially launch a new seafront cycling hub and a new cycling festival at Great Yarmouth.
The world record-breaker will be at the opening, on Monday, of the former North Drive Bowls Pavilion, converted as part of the successful GY Bike Project which aims to promote cycling and bike maintenance.
The hub will be officially opened at noon and there will be a whole host of other cycling-related attractions on bank holiday Monday, from 10am to 4pm.
Graeme will also tackle all three community rides which people can sign up to as part of the new East Coast Classic cycling festival.
ActivatingCIC, a local social enterprise specialising in cycling activities, was able to convert the former bowls pavilion, owned by Great Yarmouth Borough Council, thanks to £36,833 secured from Norfolk County Council's Community Construction Fund, plus a contribution of £36,967 from the borough council. Yarmouth-based offshore energy firm Seajacks also donated £20,000 towards the running costs for the first two years, and Pedal Revolution bike shop, in Baker Street, Gorleston, is supporting the project.
The hub will provide a fixed location for the successful GY Bike Project, launched last summer, and the core aims are to raise physical activity levels, while improving employment opportunities by providing people with an affordable and sustainable form of transport – and maintenance skills.
The project has three main elements to run during the summer: a free weekly three-mile bike ride in the heart of Yarmouth, a free weekly open workshop where people can learn bike maintenance skills, and a Learn, Recycle, Ride course.
Over the four-week course, anyone can sign up to learn bike skills either for their own bike, or gain an old donated bike which they can learn to make roadworthy again. View the full programme at http://www.activatingcic.co.uk/
The East Coast Classic, organised by ActivatingCIC, with event management support from the borough council, will involve three rides for people of all ages and abilities, taking in landmark sights along the east coast.
There is an Epic Ride of 110km and a Challenge Ride of 50km, both of which have a staggered start from 9am. There will also be a 5km Family Ride available all day.
All participants of the Epic and Challenge Rides will have the chance to ride through Somerleyton Hall, where they can stop for a coffee and a slice of cake. All rides will start and end at Britannia Plaza.
Tickets cost from £10 and are available online via www.revolutionevents.bike where there is also further information about the routes. All profits raised will go to the GY Bike Project.
Luke Rumbelow, of ActivatingCIC, said: 'The East Coast Classic is for people who maybe want to try out a ride around the coast, experienced riders who want to push themselves.
'There will be lots of activities going on throughout the day on Marine Parade, from children's balance bikes to a MTB circuit and, with Graeme Obree down as well, the day will be a bit of fresh air for Great Yarmouth.'
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