North Devon hosts Velo Vintage retro cycling event
Tweed clad Penny Farthing riders rode through Barnstaple on Saturday morning (11 April) where the town's Mayor Councillor Val Elkins and Barnstaple Heritage Centre supported the inaugural Velo Vintage Occasion and Ride event, attended by over 200 enthusiasts.
Event organisers Alistair and Sebastian Cope, decked in Pithe helmet and tweed respectively, welcomed cheerful participants under a dazzling blue sky at Barnstaple’s Heritage Centre where registered riders received their starter envelope and official number tag. Many riders, from London and across the UK wore vintage clothing as well as operating bicycles dating back to the Edwardian era. Some even sported impressive mustaches in line with the eras depicted.
After a jubilant group photo the riders assembled for the Grand Depart send-off at 10.55am. The route, with Penny Farthings at the fore, took them through the very heart of Barnstaple town centre, along the Tarka Trail and totaled approximately 10 miles in all.
Accompanied along the way by wandering minstrels a famous Devon Tea was taken in one of the truly magical settings the county is renowned for followed by more pedaling under clear blue skies before the final venue back in Barnstaple was reached, where enthusiasts enjoyed a welcome drink, some music, presentations to the worthy winners and Velo Vintage’s traditional Roz’s charity Raffle. The official close of the day was at 6pm.
