A Festival of Pedal Power

Part of the Series “News
Produced by on September 21, 2016

Pedal power takes prime position this weekend with the launch of the inaugural Gawler Cycling Festival, showcasing all the types of bike riding available for locals to try.

Gawler has gradually been developing a lot of options for cyclist, and the Gawler Cycling Festival will feature the launch of the Gawler Cycling Guide – a handy way to find and follow the many scenic or strenuous cycling routes that wind their way around both our town and region.

This weekend will see Gawler hosting a range of cycling events, with something for just about everyone. Whether you’re a recreational rider, a road race fan, a BMX devotee, or even if you just like to sit back with a well-earned drink and watch other people do the riding – the Gawler Cycling Festival has you covered.

With regular cycling exercise bringing a range of health benefits, including increased muscle strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness, the Gawler Cycling Festival is the ideal chance for locals to get out and see what options are available to try.

See our hand below to find out about events being held as part of the Gawler Cycling Festival, and follow the links to find out more about any of the events listed.

See you at the Gawler Cycling Festival.

Friday 23rd September

If your idea of cycling doesn’t involve actually getting onto a bike, the Gawler Cycling Festival has you covered, and you can ease slowly into the weekend with a movie night held at the Prince Albert Hotel on Murray Street on Friday night.

Featuring the classic documentary “A Sunday in Hell” – the story of the 1976 Paris-Roubaix cycling race from the perspectives of the participants, organisers and spectators. The Paris-Roubaix is one of cycling’s oldest, most prestigious, and gruelling events, running between Paris and the Belgian border over cobbled tracks that are either choked with dust or slick with mud, and “A Sunday in Hell” has been acclaimed as one of the best films ever made about professional cycling.

Entry is just $5, and the movie kicks off at 8pm, but you can get there early if you want to see what fine foods the P/A has on the menu, and test out the many fine craft beers and ciders that they have on tap. Don’t stay up too late though, because you’ll have to be up early Saturday morning to take part in the organised recreational rides.

Saturday 24th September

On Saturday morning you can join in a scenic and slow-paced recreational ride led by experienced local cyclists and accompanied by marshals and a recovery vehicle to assist in cases of breakdown or emergency. You can choose either of two flat routes that will take in parts of the Stuart O’Grady Bikeway, Two Wells, and Virginia. The rides depart at 8am from the Gawler Visitor’s Centre on Lyndoch Rd.

The cost of the recreational rides is just $11, which covers the costs of insurance and support, and you can register by heading to the Gawler Cycling Festival at Eventbrite, or by turning up early with your entry fee on the day.

On Saturday evening the Gawler BMX Club unveils its newly renovated and refurbished track at Elliot Goodger Memorial Park, Gawler River Road, Willaston with the Gawler BMX Under Lights event, sponsored by Linas Valley Volkswagon.

With races for everyone from the 2-4 year old Mini-Wheelers, through to the 14+ Pro-Class division, the club intends to give their new track a workout, with a prize pool of $400 up for grabs for the Pro-Classes. Rider registration and practice begins at 4:30pm, but racing kicks off under lights at 6pm, and it’s free for spectators.

Sunday 25th September

If you love your road racing, the Central Districts Cycling Club brings you a road race time trial on Sunday 25th, racing around an designated Evanston Gardens course.

Starting out at the Evanston Gardens Community Centre and looping through Jack Cooper Drive, Hillier Road and Wingate Road, the 9.9km course will see competitors racing against the clock to see who can set the fastest pace. You can cheer on the competitors at any point along the route, just see the map for route details.

The first riders depart the Evanston Gardens Community Centre at 9am, and a new rider leaves once every minute until all riders are underway.

The Festival concludes on Sunday afternoon with a free Family Fun Day hosted in conjunction with the Bicycle Institute of South Australia at Clonlea Park on Murray Road. Featuring practice rides on both the smooth tennis courts for beginners, and rides along the river bike paths for the more confident, the Gawler Cycling Festival’s Family Fun Day is a great chance to bring the kids out and help them get on a bike!

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