PEDAL power will be celebrated this weekend at a new cycling festival that hopes to bring biking and its benefits to the masses. The first Bike-It festival takes place tomorrow at Great Yarmouth Stadium from 10am until 2pm and, among other things, will feature a free bike check up, training and safe track riding.

PEDAL power will be celebrated this weekend at a new cycling festival that hopes to bring biking and its benefits to the masses.

The first Bike-It festival takes place tomorrow at Great Yarmouth Stadium from 10am until 2pm and, among other things, will feature a free bike check up, training and safe track riding.

It is the result of a collaboration between Great Yarmouth Cycling Club (GYCC), who are in the process of re-launching, and Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity.

The event coincides with national bike week and aims to attract cycling novices, with a special focus on especially young riders and families.

Also taking place on the day will be an inter-schools challenge, and there will be well as a range of bike-related stalls as well as food and drink.

It also follows on from a change in fortunes for the cycling club, which over the last year has seen its membership grow rapidly from a handful of members.

GYCC development officer Neil Turner said: “With the fantastic support from Yarmouth Stadium we are able to offer unique traffic-free events.

“This makes a big difference in attracting families and novice riders from across the community. The chaps at the Stadium are making a significant contribution to community and sports development in our town.”

Over recent months, the cycling club has partnered with Great Yarmouth Rotary Club to offer visually impaired riders from the Great Yarmouth V.I.P. tandem club the chance to ride in the stadium, and the event will help raise money for the V.I.P club.

The V.I.P Cycling club chairman Shaun McGarry is delighted with the move. He said: “It's such a buzz riding the tandems and the Stadium provides such a nice, safe and stress free environment for us to cycle!”

For more information on the event, contact Neil Turner on 01493 308700 or e-mail info@greatyarmouthcyclingclub.co.uk