BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Cycle touring is a small but influential part of the market – many bike companies use world tourers in their marketing materials – but there’s little official recognition for it. CTC stress the campaigning nature of its work rather than the organisation’s cycle-touring origins, and British Cycling doesn’t include it as a category of cycling on its website. Cycle touring may fall between at least two stools but there’s now a focal event for those interested in exploring on bicycles. The first Cycle Touring Festival will be held over the weekend of 1st–3rd May at Waddow Hall in Clitheroe, Lancashire. The entrance fee includes camping.
Co-organiser Laura Moss said that 106 tickets have been sold so far, with the venue having room for a maximum of 200.
"It’s a targeted market," she told BikeBiz. "Bike industry folks could hang out and talk to people about bikes, rather than standing by a table trying to sell stuff. The emphasis is on community, knowledge-sharing and having a good time, rather than giving customers the hard sell."
Companies involved with the show so far include Schwalbe, Keen, and Pannier, which are offering prizes for competitions. Muc-Off and Nuun have provided product samples for goody bags.
The Cycle Touring Festival will include talks from high-profile cycle tourers, workshops, and practical sessions on topics such as choosing the right bike and camping equipment, cycling in different regions of the world and extreme environments, and how to film and communicate trips.
