Picture gallery: Keen cyclists put their skills to the test during Fête du Tour celebrations in Saffron Walden Market Square
UDC councillors Howard Rolfe and Simon Howell test their legs on the bike, overseen by Dan Booker and Alex Long from Lord Butler Leisure Centre. - Credit: Archant
Tour fever hit Saffron Walden market square as cyclists, both keen and novice, put their skills to the test in a 1K Fête du Tour cycle challenge.
Over 30 brave souls took part in the challenge and the fastest time recorded on the day was 1min 47secs – a mere 30 seconds off what the world’s best cyclists can do it in – earning George Alexander a month’s free pass to the Lord Butler Leisure Centre.
Times ranged from the four-minute mark, with one lady in a dress and high heels racking up a respectable 3mins 16secs.
Dan Booker and Alex Long from the fitness team at the centre recorded the times, and distributed information on the upcoming tour and the path it will take through the district.
Debbie Ives and Kate Bozianu of WaldenTRI helped out in the morning, and the Saffron Walden Round Table, busy promoting the ‘8 Day Weekend’ in July, also popped along to take part.
Councillors Howard Rolfe and Simon Howell joined the proceedings in the afternoon to help spread the word.
Cllr Howard Rolfe, cabinet member for communities and partnerships at Uttlesford District Council, said: “With just under 50 days to go until the Tour races through our district, we were keen to partner with our local leisure centre to organise the fun challenge in the market square.
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“It was a successful event and we were pleased that so many people had a go.”
Beckie Reynolds, general manager at Lord Butler, said: “We were delighted to be involved with such a high-profile, fun event.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for budding cyclists of all ages and abilities to come down to the market square and put their skills to the test.”
The town will welcome the Tour de France when it passes through on July 7.
