The cycling festival will, as usual, take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 29th – Monday 31st August 2015) at the Sheldrick Way site of Mildenhall College, whose playing fields become a temporary campsite for nearly 400 caravan and camping pitches.
“Such is the popularity of this event, the campsite fills very quickly, so we would encourage anyone wanting to stay on the Rally site, to book early to avoid any disappointment.” said Mark Burchett, Chairman of the organising Club.
As well as being able to download the booking forms from www.mildenhallrally.org.uk the site also provides online booking facilities making the whole process much easier and quicker. For those that prefer a bit more comfort, the Mildenhall Club will once again be providing their Accommodation List with details of local B&B’s, guest-houses, hotels as well as other local campsites.
A survey carried out by Mildenhall Cycling Club and Forest Heath District Council in 2012, revealed that nearly a quarter of a million pounds is put into the local economy every year by this nationally acclaimed event. A significant proportion of that is benefiting those providing accommodation as well as food, which like the Rally’s campsite are very sought after too.
The survey showed that the average total-spend was £104.75; whilst the average spend per person was £48.91. The actual amount spent per respondent ranged from nothing up to £2,100. Based on a conservative estimate of the total number of visitors of 5,000, this equates to £244,550!
“What that survey confirmed, was that we have a winning formula, with 100% of those surveyed, saying they were enjoying the event; as well as the Rally is a fun event held in a safe environment for families, something we always strive for” added Mr Burchett.
Those surveyed, who ranged in age from 17 to 84, cited ‘cycling and view of the grass-track’, ‘atmosphere and meeting with family & friends’, ‘family event’, ‘children’s activities’ and the ‘trade stands’ as the best things about the event.
Cllr James Water, leader of Forest Heath District Council and Cabinet Member for Planning and Growth said: “The Mildenhall Cycling Rally is a great tourism event that allows us to showcase this fantastic part of West Suffolk on a national scale. It brings in thousands of visitors to our area every year and hundreds of thousands of pounds to our local economy. Olympic and Commonwealth champions have taken part in previous Mildenhall Cycling Rallies and I am sure that this year’s event over the August Bank Holiday weekend, will similarly attract both families and future stars of one of the UK’s most successful sports.”
The Rally isn’t expected to see any major changes to the tried and tested line-up of events over the three days. The grass-track will form the centrepiece with racing every day from 12 noon. Other competitive events will include a Madison Cyclo-Cross and especially for the under 17’s there will be the ever-popular Children’s Duathlon and for the under 16’s the Go-Ride Skilful Riding.
On the touring front, C.T.C. (Cyclists Touring Club) Suffolk will be organising 50, 100, 160, 200 and 300km Audax Rides on the Saturday. For those that want something more relaxing, Mildenhall Cycling Club will have their range of touring routes, offering a variety of scenery over varying distances.
Other attractions will include the ever-popular Cycle Jumble and Quiz Night’s. Like the camping, booking for the Jumble sells out before the event and can also be made online.
“The trade stands at the Rally’s two-day Trade Show provide everybody, but especially local people, the opportunity to stock up on all those cycling spares, as well as look at replacement wheels to complete bikes and all at discounted prices on their doorstep” explained Mark Burchett.
Every day there will be the Children’s Sports, while on the Sunday and Monday there will be the bouncy castle and face painter. Additionally on the Monday there will be a circus skills-workshop.
The Rally is a very popular event with top riders that have then gone on to win National and International recognition. Riders such as Olympic champions Victoria Pendleton CBE and Nicole Cooke OBE who honed their bike handling skills on Mildenhall’s grass-track have now retired, whilst more recently Laura Trott was a regular at the Rally, until she shot to prominence at the Commonwealth Games before taking the London Olympics by storm in 2012.
More details of everything happening at the Rally can be found at www.mildenhallrally.org.uk
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