The year 2020 will go down in history as the year that most public events were cancelled, or at least postponed. However, this is not the case with this year’s Cycle Touring Festival – usually held at the end of May in Clitheroe – which has neither been cancelled nor postponed. It is going online and will be virtual! It’s even going to take place a month earlier than planned, over the weekend of the 25th and 26th April.
“Although the physical festival has been cancelled, we will instead be hosting virtual events over the weekend of 25-26 April, for everybody to access. it will be free of charge, but we will be asking for donations to the National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal.”
CycleTouringFestival.co.uk
The detailed programme and timings have yet to be announced but the line-up – in alphabetical order… (hence the top-billing) – includes the following speakers:
Andrew Sykes: Spain and Portugal on a Bike Called Wanda
“A flight-free cycle across Spain & Portugal, via the Isle of Wight (& lots of ferries and trains).“
Anna Hughes: Les Cingles du Ventoux
“In September I cycled across France from Dieppe to Nice, stopping at Mont Ventoux along the way to complete all three ascents in one day.”
Caroline Burrows: A Literary Tour of the North of England
“Our favourite cycling poet, Caroline Burrows will describe her literary cycling tour of the North of England, from Middle Earth to Wuthering Heights and Dracula.”
Debs Butler: Flight-free Bicycle Adventures
“Trip ideas and practical for adventures long and short with two wheels but no wings.”
Huw Oliver and Annie Le: Are You Lost: Bikerafting in Greenland
“A slideshow presentation of a trip to western Greenland in 2018, using fatbikes and packrafts to piece together an adventurous, two-week route adventure along fjords, rolling across tundra and riding muskox trails. Not the average bike tor perhaps, with with all the same things that make bicycle travel addictive and unforgettable!”
John Devoy: ‘and the aftermath is troubling!’
“After an extensive solo cycling journey, particularly if it turns out to be a seminal experience, returning ‘home’ can present unanticipated challenges.”
Jolan Berard: 42° Goings and comings: 1,657km through Spain on a cargo bike
“Having spent one year in Paris as a bike messenger, Jolan discovered cargo bikes and how they can easily replace a car in the city. He wanted to test if it was really as good to travel for long journeys, so spent 20 days cycling the Saint James Way in Spain. This short film is the result.”
Lilith Cooper and Abi Melton: Zine Making 101
“Led by Lilith and Abi of Gears for Queers, this zine workshop will take you through the basics of zines, and how to make a page for the collaborative digital Cycle Touring Festival zine!”
Mikel Bringas: Cycle Touring Islands
“On our family cycle trips, we have visited some islands of five continents, and we want to share the beauty that they have offered us.”
Pete McNeil: Riding the Silk Road Mountain Race
“Shortly after returning from Kyrgyzstan, having been one of the few riders to complete the 1,700km off-road self-supported bikepacking race, Pete McNeil of Adventure Pedlars unpicks his experience. Featuring exclusive race footage, Pete gets to the bottom of the big question: “Why on Earth take on something like this?””
Rob Ainsley: Bizarre Britain
“70 of Britain’s oddest cycle-touring sights: tunnels, bridges, towpaths, hills, ferries, roads, hostels, bike parking and signposts (Saturday 12pm).”
Tim Boden: Forging the Oyster Wheel
“The story of how the Oysterwheel was built together with recommendations for anyone trying to build there own multi day route.”
More details and updates on the Cycle Touring Festival website.
Header image credit: the Cycle Touring Festival
