Father and daughter saddle up as Horwich prepares to host first unicycle road race
9:04am Wednesday 6th February 2013 in News
Father and daughter saddle up as Horwich prepares to host first unicycle road race
HUNDREDS of unicyclists will descend on Horwich this summer when the town hosts the UK’s first National unicycling road race.
The milestone event is taking place as part of this year’s Festival of Racing, between June 12 and 16.
For the first time, the annual festival, which in the past has involved a number of Olympians, including Jason Kenny and Laura Trott, will include unicycles thanks to the intervention of a Bolton GP.
Dr Julian Page, who works at Crompton Health Centre and is a member of the Union of UK Unicyclists, contacted the festival organisers to suggest the race.
The father-of-two, from Bromley Cross, said he thought the festival was a great opportunity to have a road race in England.
Dr Page, aged 52, and his 18-year-old daughter, Claire, have been riding unicycles for about four years and are both planning to take part in the race.
They will use 36-inch wheel unicycles for the seven-mile race.
Dr Page said: “Riding a unicycle is a challenge and I think it is the hardest skill I have ever learned.
“I think the older you are the harder it is. But it is good fun and has great health benefits.
“Having a road race at the festival will be great publicity for unicycling and will make more people aware of the sport.”
Races president Barbara Ronson, said: “We have had some interesting races in the past, but this one looks like a unique opportunity.
“Hopefully, our one-wheeled competitors will add a new dimension to the event and add to the carnival atmosphere on the day.”
Kris Abraham, chairman of the Union of UK Unicyclists, which has more than 500 members, said: “This will be our first official road race and whoever wins the race in Horwich will be the British road racing champion. I think as soon as people find out there is going to be a race there will be quite a lot of interest.”
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Comments (5)
9:15am Wed 6 Feb 13
oftbewildered2 says...
9:27am Wed 6 Feb 13
steveG says...
12:37pm Wed 6 Feb 13
boltoncity says...
1:59pm Wed 6 Feb 13
boltonnut says...
3:03pm Wed 6 Feb 13
Sparkiedog1 says...
last year I had a 10 mile diversion due to a bike race
and then told I could not go on to where I lived unless I walked
Its a nightmare for those of us who still have to work and live our normal lives on the days these races Bikes , Iron Man and now unicycle races take place,
I will book my holiday them weeks along with a lot of other people just to get out of the area
I hope everyone involved has a great day, But I just wont be here to have to live through the stress of it all again,