Bradley Wiggins draws thousands to Barnoldswick (From Craven Herald)
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Bradley Wiggins draws thousands to Barnoldswick
11:32am Thursday 23rd August 2012 in News
Bradley Wiggins during the Ride with Brad event
A crowd of nearly 10,000 people flocked to Victory Park in Barnoldswick to see Tour de France winner and Olympic gold medallist cyclist Bradley Wiggins.
In his first public appearance since winning gold in the men’s time trial at the Olympic Games, Bradley, who regularly trains around the roads of East Lancashire, rode two separate routes in the Ride With Brad event on Sunday to raise money for his charity foundation.
the Olympic Games, Bradley, who regularly trains around the roads of East Lancashire, rode two separate routes in the Ride With Brad event on Sunday to raise money for his charity foundation.
A total of 1,400 people rode with the Great Eccleston man on 160km and 100km routes, and another 8,000 to 10,000 people turned out at Victory Park, which hosted a variety of entertainment and cycling activities.
“The whole thing went extremely well,” said Barnoldswick man Mark Sandamas, director Pennine Events, which organised the event. “The feedback from people has been overwhelming. To see their reactions to Bradley makes it all worthwhile.”
Barnoldswick town crier Eliza Mowe, who performed a cry outlining Bradley’s achievements, was amused by the gold medallist’s reaction.
“He joked ‘I’m glad that’s not my wife’, said Eliza, who was also delighted to meet Pendle man Steven Burke, who also won an Olympic gold medal in the men’s team pursuit.
“It was one of the proudest moments in my life,” added Eliza. “Linking Barnoldswick to the Olympics was fantastic.”
Mr Sandamas is now planning to make the charity ride an annual event.
“We’re hoping to build on it and make it bigger next year,” he said.
* Exclusive footage of Sunday’s Ride With Brad event will be premiered at Barnoldswick’s Centre Screen Cinema tomorrow at 6.30pm.
A short film produced by local media production company, The Reverb Factory, will be shown on the big screen at the Rainhall Centre.
The eight-minute newsreel includes shots of the unique Rolls-Royce produced memento presented to Bradley by Barnoldswick Town Council chairman, Coun Lindsay Gaskell.
The free event is open to all and light refreshments will be served. Donations towards the Bradley Wiggins Charitable Foundation are welcome.
