Have you got a favourite hill? Is it worth the climb just to feel the wind on your face as you cruise back down? Sky and British Cycling today announced the search for the UK’s Perfect Hill to cycle down.
The nation-wide poll and celebration of Great Britain’s best-loved hills is launching to mark the start of Sky Ride 2011, a series of free cycling events across the UK.
Backed by multiple world and Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, the nationwide search will see the ultimate cycling descent being crowned the UK’s Perfect Hill.
Designed to remind people how much fun cycling can be, anyone in Britain can nominate their chosen hill, the entry criteria are: location, views, where it takes them, historical significance and most importantly what the hill means to them.
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The general public and a panel of three judges including Sir Chris himself and Editor of the Lonely Planet Cycling Guide, Etain O’Carroll, will shortlist the entries, before crowning one hill the UK’s most perfect for cycling down.
Sir Chris Hoy said: “I’m really looking forward to taking part in one of the fantastic Sky Ride events this summer and it’s great to be so involved in the campaign. What makes a hill perfect to cycle down? Well, that’s up to you. It might be the amazing view from the top, the sense of achievement from getting there, the memories you have from riding down it, or the fact that it takes you to your favourite place - whatever hill springs to mind, we want to know and why.”
As well as celebrating the nations perfect hill to cycle down, today Sky and British Cycling confirmed a host of free events and activities taking place across the UK throughout the summer as part of Sky Ride 2011.
These include more Sky Ride City Events and Sky Ride Locals than ever before stretching the length and breadth of the UK. There will also be events and rides tailored specifically for women including Cycletta sponsored by Sky Ride and for those who are up for more of a challenge, the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia.
The free Sky Ride City Events encourage families and individuals of all ages and abilities to get on their bikes for a unique traffic-free cycle ride and experience all the joys that cycling can offer, which last year saw over 200,000 people take part. Starting in Bath on 5th June, Sky Ride City Events will move to major towns and cities across the UK including:
Ipswich (12th June), Birmingham (3rd July), Middlesbrough (10th July), Bradford (31st July), Manchester (7th August), Southampton and Blackpool (both 14th August), Hull (21st August), Leicester (28th August), Mayor of London’s Sky Ride (4th September), Glasgow (11th September) plus the London Boroughs of Hillingdon (31st July) and Barking and Dagenham (21st August) with more events still to be announced.
To nominate your Perfect Hill and find out about all the great ways you can get back on your bike this summer, including city events, local rides and lots more visit: www.goskyride.com
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
