Thoresby Park Festival of Cycling 18th, 19th and 20th May 2012
| Event website
Thoresby Park near Ollerton Newark Notts NG22 9EP
Lucy Garner attended Thoresby Park in North Nottinghamshire with her Penny Farthing to take on the challenge of riding against some of the more seasoned penny farthing racers to help launch the 2012 Thoresby Festival of Cycling that is taking place over the weekend of the 19th and 20th May 2012.
The event incorporates various races including circuit races on the private estate roads, where there is a ladies specific race for Elite, first, second, third, fourth and junior category riders; the course is over 2.7km and will take place on Saturday morning.
The event is being promoted by the Retford Wheelers Cycling Club with the support of club members from Derby Mercury, Matlock CC and Heanor Clarion Cycling Clubs.
The event is being supported by the Stonebridge Trust who manage the Courtyard and lawns, Thoresby Estate and Warner Leisure the owners of the beautiful Thoresby Hall and is being run to raise money for the worthy Notts and Lincs Air Ambulance.
The Event
The event starts on Friday evening at the indoor riding hall situated within the Courtyard where Joff Summerfield will be presenting his world tour talk. Joff rode around the world on his Penny Farthing 22000 miles and taking two and half years.
On Saturday morning there is closed circuit racing on the private estate roads for Youth, ladies and seniors, and a treasure hunt for penny farthing, unicycle and other cyclists.
Go-Ride racing will be taking place and then there will be slalom skills racing involving the penny farthing and unicyclists, to finish off there will be 'paperboy race'
On Saturday evening there will be a barn dance, auction and raffle with a hog roast.
On Sunday there will be more 'Go Ride' racing and the feature events including the Unicycle and Penny Farthing Race where the riders will be led out by a 1904 De Dion Bouton motor car.
During the afternoon there is some grass track racing on the boundary of the Thoresby Cricket Club organised by Martin Smith of Martin Smith Opticians Lincoln.
Parking is free and there is no charge for spectators and all are welcome to see some fast, furious, and interesting racing and to shop at the Courtyard and trade stands that attending.
