Participants in Sunday's round-Island Randonnee cycle epic check their route at Wootton's Firestone Copse — from left Fi Bennett, Neil Stocker and Pete Kearley. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
PICTURE GALLERY/VIDEO
GLORIOUS bank holiday weekend weather saw hundreds of cyclists descend on the Island on Sunday for the silver jubilee of the Isle of Wight Randonnee.
The Island’s ferries were full to bursting point as cyclists from all over the country arrived to take part in the event, which was begun by The Wayfarer Cycle Touring Club in 1985 and is sponsored by Moreys and the
County Press.
A record-breaking total of 2,156 cyclists entered this year — 30 per cent up on last year’s figure of 1,644.
Some cyclists dressed as pirates while others completed the 100km or 55km anti-clockwise courses around the Island to raise money for good causes. A woman on the back of a tandem was even spotted knitting, according to race organisers.
Cyclists could start from any one of six checkpoints on the Island, ranging from one at East Cowes to the West Wight checkpoint at Yarmouth.
They could either complete the full 100km course or choose to take part in a shorter, 55km event.
Isle of Wight good causes were well represented.
Rob Hodgkinson from the Randonee organising committee said: “The weather, as normal, has been very good to us.”
• Full story in the Friday, May 8,
County Press.
Reporter:
davidn@iwcpmail.co.uk
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below.
Click on the image for a larger version.
IW Randonnee 2009.
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