Families and serious cyclists go whizzing through the countryside on bikes

A TOTAL of 149 cyclists took part in the second annual Wargrave Bike Festival on Saturday.

The riders could follow one of three routes of 20km, 50km or 75km, all starting and finishing at Mill Green.

Riders in the 20km family event were given an “Olympic passport” to collect a stamp at 10 different checkpoints including Wargrave station, the Chalk Pit, Camp Mohawk, Kentons Lane, Worleys Lane and Highfield Park.

Elspeth Liddell, a doctor from School Hill, Wargrave, completed the 20km ride with her children, Austin, nine, and Felicity, eight.

She said: “We are often out on our bikes so know the local routes well. This was a bit different to our usual rides because we had to find the checkpoints and get the children’s cards stamped at each one. The biggest hill was the Bowsey Beast [Hatch Gate Lane].

“We most enjoyed whizzing down the bridleway on the other side. We love riding our bikes and being out as a family.”

Matt Holloway, 48, who is a member of the Wargrave Whales cycling club, took part in the longest ride, having completed the 50km route last year. The architect, who lives in Victoria Road, Wargrave, said: “It’s a great event, well organised with great support. It culminates in a community get-together on Mill Green for all the family and is focused on the benefits of sport and exercise.

“The ride goes through some beautiful countryside, crossing between Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and there’s a refreshment station at the halfway mark. The toughest part is Chinnor Hill, a 120m climb.

“I ride regularly with the Wargrave Whales, a small social riding club we started in 2020.

“Luckily, as we do this regularly, we did not need to train specially, although I did ride from London to Leeds in May to raise money for Land Aid, so that helped.”

Organiser Ally Holloway said the youngest entrant was a baby in the back of their mother’s bike and the oldest was a man in his seventies.

“It’s a non-competitive ride for all ages,” she said. “It is for seasoned cyclists and families with children.

“The money raised goes back to supporting local groups and societies.”

The bike festival was part of the Wargrave Village Festival.

The event was sponsored by Active Silver, a health and skincare company.