AN event celebrating the Tour of Britain’s association with Builth Wells is coming to the town this weekend.

The Builth Bike Bash returned last year after postponement due to Covid-19 and will once again see a large peloton of cyclists zooming up and down The Groe this Sunday, September 11.

The event was first held in 2011, to celebrate the Tour of Britain passing through the town. It proved to be such a success that it has since become an annual event.

Powys has increasingly become a big part of the iconic race in recent years – in 2016 the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd hosted the county’s first stage finish of the Tour of Britain.

After a few years spent elsewhere the event’s organisers were excited to return to the original site last year, and this weekend the target will once again be to cover the total distance cycled by the race’s participants by the people who will be taking part in the Builth Bike Bash.

“It has been held nearly every year since 2011 and is just as popular now as it was that first time,” said Bonna Williams, one of the event organisers.

“Several generations of families come with bikes and picnics for a fun few hours on the Groe.

“This year the target is again the distance of the Tour of Britain, which is 836.5 miles this year. The Tour of Britain, which is taking place this week, will finish on Sunday.”

The format will be similar to previous years; there will be a 0.5-mile lap for less confident cyclists from 11am-12 noon, then a 1-mile lap from 12noon-4pm for everyone else to ride.

All participants will receive a number board to attach to their handlebars and every lap is registered and counted. All participants will also receive a goody bag.

“This is a free event, we just want people to come along and enjoy riding their bikes,” added Bonna.

“There is no age limit, in previous years we’ve had babes in bike carriers up to mature 70+-year-olds. So, get your bike out of the shed and come and help us reach our target.”

Freedom Leisure will be bringing along some balance bikes for the youngsters to try and some of the coaches from the local Bulls CC club will be there and will be happy to give advice.

The committee will be serving hot and cold drinks and refreshments all day as well.