Women get on their bike for first ‘ virtual’ festival

A cycling festival with a difference is being organised for women in Ayrshire this month.

During the current lockdown and rules over social distancing, organisers are hosting a ‘ virtual’ event this year.

Fay Podger, Active Travel Hub Officer ( Hubs), explained the concept.

She said: “For the past three years we have run a joint Women’s Cycle Festival with our sister Hub in Ayr and the Trinity Hub in Irvine. This year, due to the Covid- 19 pandemic, we have chosen to host our first ever Women’s ‘ Virtual’ Cycle Festival. The hope is to extend our reach and to connect with more women across Ayrshire, Scotland and other parts of the world. As more men tend to cycle than women, the festival provides an opportunity for women to engage with others and hopefully, be inspired enough to want to take up cycling.”

The festival is free of charge, although participants will need to sign up to the live events which are planned.

Fay said: “The festival has been organised by women and all of the speakers are women, however, the festival is open to anyone to attend.”

The programme includes live speakers and pre- recorded talks from a range of inspirational women talking about topics from bike- packing around the world, using cargo bikes to deliver essential packages in the Covid- 19 pandemic to women new to cycling and finding the joys of everyday bike journeys.

The event will run on June 17, 18 and 19 and organisers are encouraging the use of festival hashtag # AWCyclefestival20 will run from 9am to 9pm each day.

To find out more go to the following link which goes live on Wednesday https:// ayrshirewomenscyclefestival. org/ Find out more on Facebook at https:// www. facebook. com/ events/ 539503473391365/

The Active Travel Hubs are based in Ayr, Irvine and Kilmarnock.

They encourage cycling for short journeys and support beginners to get back cycling by offering learn to cycle sessions, cycling skills sessions and short led rides with qualified ride leaders.

If you want to increase your confidence riding on roads, learn how to fix your own punctures, get your bike serviced for free or ask any cycling questions then contact each Hub directly.

For more information, email: activetravelhubayr@ gmail. com