Where: Blists Hill Victorian Town, Shropshire
£: Spectators are welcome for a small entrance fee of £3 for adults (free for children under 16).
What is it?
Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge is to be the venue for a new urban cyclo-cross event on Saturday 31st August, staged by the organisers of Newport’s famous Nocturne cycle race. The challenging off-road cycle races at the event, which will be called the Queen Victoria Cyclo-Cross, are expected to attract top cyclists from around the country.
The Victorian Town will present an unusual and formidable set of challenges to the cyclists with the Hay Inclined Plane foremost amongst them. This relic of Britain’s industrial age once lowered seven ton tub boats full with iron and coal down the steep side of the Ironbridge Gorge for transport by river. Between watching the races, spectators will be able to explore the Victorian streets of the popular tourist attraction.
Special event categories have been devised for different age groups, all with a Victorian theme. There will be races for ‘Tykes and Urchins’, ‘Vagabonds and Chimney Sweeps’ and finally ‘Convicts, Hooligans, Unchaperoned Women and Gentlemen’.
More info: Visit www.queenviccx.moonfruit.com and www.ironbridge.org.uk for more details.