PLANS are well in hand for the 2018 Bradford on Avon Cycling Festival as, following the success of the last festival in 2015, organisers have decided to stage another on July 14 and aim to make it a must-attend annual event.

Three years ago more than 450 cyclists took part. The event missed last year because of the roadworks on the Holt Road, which were outside the organisers’ control.

However, it’s bouncing back for 2018 as the town seeks to capitalise on the boom in cycling and more people looking for well-organised family fun weekends.

Former Elite triathlete Charlotte Forrester, of Westview Day Nursery, and Craig Surgey, a director of Curveball Studios in Bradford on Avon, are organising the festival.

Craig said: “We believe that Bradford on Avon has a lot to offer as a tourism destination.

“Accessible by road, rail, canal and by bike, it allows us to really showcase the town in all its glory.”

For 2018, the famous sprint hill climb up Market Street to the Castle Inn will return to provide a centrepiece to the event.

There will be two non-competitive Sportive routes available, plus a more relaxed family fun ride which will be available to all ages and suitable for all abilities.

In the town centre, there will be a mini cycling festival with lots of fun cycling activities such as a Shoretrax cycling track for children, competitions, stalls and a demonstration bike area where cyclists can test-ride different bikes.

To provide a grand finale to the festival, organisers are planning a food and beer festival in Lamb Yard to enable everyone taking part to socialise.

Mr Surgey outlined the plans to Bradford on Avon Town Council’s community and recreation committee last Tuesday, and asked for £2,000 in financial support to help lever further sponsorship from private businesses and other organisations.

He said they are hoping the cycling festival will become an annual event leading up to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Local businesses are being invited to sponsor events and places can be booked by calling Charlotte on 07966 926502 or Craig on 07872 561572.