January 4th, 2013
New Cycle Sportive To Be Held In Eden In March 2013
A brand new cycle sportive, the Eden Valley Epic, will be taking place on March 3, 2013 in the Eden area of Cumbria, with a start and finish in the ancient market town of Penrith.
The Eden Valley Epic covers a 60-mile undulating but largely climb-free route around the Eden Valley, taking in Eden’s quietest and highly scenic roads. Starting from Penrith Leisure Centre, cycling enthusiasts will head south to Crosby Ravensworth and Orton and then on to a feed-station in Appleby as the halfway stop. The return route to Penrith is via the picturesque villages of Dufton and Langwathby.
The staging of this self-challenging, timed but non-competitive event is part of a new Cycle Tourism project managed by award-winning responsible tourism organisation, Nurture Eden, working in conjunction with cycling event specialist Epic Events.
This initiative seeks to promote cycling as a low-impact activity in an area aiming to become a top responsible tourism destination. Other cycling initiatives planned include an Eden Cyclists Friendly scheme and a new mobile app, which will ensure cyclists can always find the latest Eden cycling information while in the saddle, or while refuelling in a ‘cyclist friendly’ café.
Nurture Eden’s new Cycle Tourism Development Officer, Andy Beanland, says: “We are delighted to be staging the Eden Valley Epic and it’s great to work with an event organiser which supports the communities and landscapes which host their events. We hope the Eden Valley Epic will demonstrate why we believe Eden is one of the top 5 places in the world to ride given its fantastic natural assets and various cycle route options, which range from the C2C to circular rides around our charming towns and villages”.
Cyclists can choose their own start time for the ride, which can take anywhere between three and seven hours. The minimum age for participants is 16 years and entry to the Eden Valley Epic costs £20. There is also the opportunity to make a voluntary donation of £2 to Nurture Eden’s Visit Give Protect scheme, which supports the communities and the landscape in which the Eden Valley Epic will take place.
Registration for the Eden Valley Epic and further information can be found at www.epicevents.co.uk while information about Nurture Eden, its Cycling Eden project and accommodation options can be found at www.agreeneden.org
The Cycling Eden project is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas. DEFRA is the managing authority.
ENDS
Press calls: Jane Hunt, Catapult PR, 01253 891114 – jane@catapultpr.co.uk
Notes to Editors
1: A Cycling Eden is a project run by Nurture Eden – a division of Nurture Lakeland
2.: Nurture Lakeland was established 18 years ago and is a unique, award-winning organization, inspiring people to care for Cumbria’s natural environment through responsible tourism. For further information on Nurture Lakeland visit www.nurturelakeland.org.
3. A Cycling Eden is a 1.5-year programme supporting businesses in and around the Eden Valley to develop and promote new cycle tourism products.
4: Cycling Eden is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas. DEFRA is the managing authority.
