AN Olympic gold medalist will be amongst the riders during this year's Evesham Cycle Fest.

Chris Boardman, 47, who won the 1992 individual pursuit gold medal will take part during the Sunday and his bike company are supporting the event.

Boardman Bikes will be at the event on Saturday September 10 and Sunday September 11 with their latest test bikes.

Mr Boardman said: "It's a part of the country I really enjoy riding in, exploring the lanes and villages by bike lets you see everything from a new perspective.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenges that hills like Saintbury and Salters lane will have in store but I hear the views from the tops will be worth it."

Spokesman for the bike company, Jamie Mitchell said: "As a local company we have strong links to the area, our dedicated test team are regularly out putting the latest Boardman Bikes through their paces through the beautiful lanes all around the Vale."

This year marks the third year of the cycling festival after it began as a fundraiser for the Abbey Bell Tower Appeal.

Robin Walker, Cycle Evesham Vale chairman, which is co-ordinating the event, said: "We’re delighted to be running CycleFest again, and we hope to see many more people out on their bikes, no matter what their age or ability."

Saturday will see a repeat of last year's inaugural 'Mountain Bike Challenge', once again hosted at The Valley, but with an extended track, and new features.

Children's races will run in the morning, with adults getting in the saddle in the afternoon.

There will be plenty of attractions taking place away from the course with mountain bike stunt displays, a chance to test your skills in a cycling 'adventure zone' and even a smoothie maker fuelled by pedal power.

Then, on the Sunday, the action moves to Evesham Rowing Club for an array of events aimed at everyone from the most experienced cyclists to those just taking off their stabilisers.

New this year is the Evesham Escapades Sportive, offering riders a choice of two rides (40 miles with 673 metres of climbing and 88 miles with 1545 metres of climbing) aimed at showcasing the Vale's scenery.

Also on the Sunday is a 16-mile leisure ride to Broadway and back, starting at 10.30 am.

Entries for the family-friendly ride can be made on the day, from 9.30 am.

A children's ride along the riverside path in Evesham, for youngsters aged four to eight, is also taking place, starting at noon.

The rowing club will be open for refreshments all day and there will be a barbecue later on in the afternoon.

For more details, including costs and entry details for events, visit cycleeveshamvale.org.