Hello!

Bristol Cycle Festival launches this Saturday, helping the city celebrate two years as Britain's first Cycling City.

A hugely entertaining programme of events, films, plays, workshops and freewheeling fun is on the cards, so saddle up and join in!

How to find out what's happening and when

The Festival programme is now available from bike shops, libraries, community centres, council buildings and the Coexist Reception in Stokes Croft.

Alternatively, download the programme or follow the day by day activities on the event calendar.

Pushing off on Saturday 11th September

The festival gets underway this Saturday with four events:

• Sustrans' Cheddar Adventure
• Howies' Thinking Caps exhibition, which also features illustrations from Bristol Bike Project's Boneshaker magazine
• Bike Bristol-Amsterdam, starting at the Suspension Bridge at 9am
• Create Centre cycling fun day, with tandem rides by Life Cycle UK and bike decorating workshop

Cycling In The City at Colston Hall, Saturday 18th September

The Festival takes over five floors of Colston Hall with Cycling in the City on Saturday 18 September, featuring:

• Cycling fashion shows from designers including T-Cycle, Mild West Heroes, Howies, Minx-girl and Evans, Bobbin Bicycles, Dashing Tweeds, Urban Cycle Wear and more
• Special guest speaker and book signing by It's All About The Bike author Robert Penn (featured in a recent BBC documentary)
• The city's bike shops displaying the latest cycling gear
• An interactive musical cycling sculpture by Dueling Duchamps
• Short cycle films from Cyclescreen and pedal-powered stage from Project Bicyclette

Freewheelin' Carnival, Sunday 19th September

Eighteen troupes have been confirmed for the carnival and several hundred riders are expected to cycle the streets of Bristol, starting from Queen Square at midday. A rolling road block means the streets will be safe for adults and children to ride. Sign up to a troupe in advance or simply turn up and ride.

Bike decorating workshops take place in Queen Square during the morning, plus there's a cycle-themed after-party for the afternoon, featuring pedal-powered stages, workshops and food and drink stalls. Find out more on the Freewheelin' Carnival page of Bristol Cycle Festival website.

Ten Cycling City team rides

The Cycling City team are organising 30-minute circular rides every weekday of the Festival. All rides start at 12.30pm and take in some of the city's lesser-known bike routes. Check out page 11 of the Festival programme or contact the organiser for more information.

Don't forget about...

Pedal Pushers, the Noisy Bike Parade, cycling poet in residence, bug bike rides, Dokumenta Ciclista, bike repair workshops, Discover Bristol treasure hunts, Filton Cycle Speedway, electric bike try out sessions, CTC countryside leisure rides, Mr Berridge Challenge, bike polo, Bert's Bike Orienteering... and we haven't even gone in to the second week's activities yet!

In other news

• Bristol and South Gloucestershire's Bike to School week takes place during the first week of the festival. Let your kids cycle to school and they could win some great Shaun the Sheep prizes, as well as being in with a chance of winning a brand new bike. 
   
• Jam Busting September is upon us. Choose a more sustainable transport method and stick to it all month for the chance to win great prizes.
   
• 106 Jack fm start the Big Bike Challenge on Monday 20 September. Cars vs bikes in the morning commute - which is the most efficient? Volunteer riders are needed - sign up today!
   
• Better By Bike wants to see your pictures and videos of the festival. Share them with us and show off your creative talents.
   
• There's a new bicycle hire place in town. Visit our Hiring A Bike page to find out more.
   
• Read about the steps Abigail Smith went through to find the perfect bike.
   
• Prince Charles came to town and found out about the city's bicycle renaissance.
   
• We announced the first winner of our limited edition cycle jerseys. Everyone entered so far gets another chance to win in September's competition.
   
• Coming up: In October Hal Ruzal visits Bristol to rate our bike locking, and the first Bike Back bikes start rolling off the production line.
   

Until next time...

Happy cycling

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