Swindon & Wiltshire News
Celebrity auctioneer Paul Martin gives thumbs-up to Tour de Trowbridge
Wiltshire’s inaugural Tour de Trowbridge cycling event has won the approval of celebrity auctioneer Paul Martin.
The BBC Flog It presenter and ambassador to the Wiltshire & Bath Air Ambulance, visited the charity’s airbase in Semington to encourage cyclists of all ages and abilities to take part in the exciting new Tour de Trowbridge event.
All profits from the Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce event will be donated to Wiltshire & Bath Air Ambulance, St. John Ambulance Wiltshire and the Mayor of Trowbridge’s Charity Appeal.
The event, which takes place on Sunday, May 31 is attracting hundreds of cyclists from across Wiltshire, Somerset, Bristol, Bath and beyond.
Riders signed up so far range from four to 91 years old, including an 84-year-old banjo playing tricyclist, a club cyclist who raced 80 miles on his 80th birthday, a 4-year-old bike-mad boy who can’t wait to enter his first cycling event, and members of Wiltshire and Somerset cycling clubs.
The event will start and finish in Trowbridge Town Park, where cycle-themed activities will include pedal-powered smoothie makers, a range of bikes for people to try out, cycle challenges, bike repairs and security tips, food and drink, first aid training from St John Ambulance, and Tour de Trowbridge medals presented to all riders.
Six-time World Champion para cyclist Lauren Booth, from Chippenham, will be attending the event and giving medals to young cyclists on their return, as part of her role as a volunteer for Wiltshire & Bath Air Ambulance.
The Tour de Trowbridge, which is sponsored by apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods, features a choice of four routes from 5 miles to 79 miles through the picturesque Wiltshire countryside.
Lee Sheppard, director of corporate affairs, policy and sustainability at apetito said: “We are delighted to be supporting the fantastic new Tour de Trowbridge event for Wiltshire, which provides a brilliant opportunity to champion an active lifestyle, bring people together and strengthen community spirit.”
The event ‘stopover’ stations along the longer routes, which include the Three Daggers Farm Shop at Edington, are sponsored by Wiltshire College and University Centre, and Cereal Partners UK is the event’s Sustainability sponsor.
