6:00pm Monday 16th August 2010
By James Calnan
PLANS for a cycle-themed fun day have been unveiled for when the Tour of Britain comes to Colchester.
Nearly 100 international cyclists will pedal into the town centre at the end of stage seven of the tour, on Friday, September 17.
Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to cheer on the competitors as they whizz past on the route from Bury St Edmunds to the top of East Hill in Colchester.
But while there will only be a brief flurry of excitement as the cyclists reach the finish line at about 2pm, a whole day of activities is on offer in Castle Park.
The Tour of Britain cycle festival will see schools activities before the race, and more family activities taking place in the afternoon.
After an official civic ceremony to start the event, at about 10am, there will be a series of rides for children to the finish, from Wivenhoe, High Woods, Tiptree and elsewhere.
Other highlights will include a bike-powered music area, a mobile BMX park and grass track racing. There may also be a “Pimp My Bike” stand.
Visitors will be able to look around Colchester Castle for £1.
After the race, the cyclists and their bikes will be in Hollytrees Meadow for an hour, meeting the public and signing autographs.
Last year about 25,000 spectators descended on the town for the Tour Series race.
More are expected to converge next month to watch the riders race down Maldon Road and past Colchester Zoo, before heading along Southway, Magdalen Street and Brook Street and cycling up East Hill.
The Tour of Britain starts in Rochdale on September 11, finishes in London on September 18.
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