LLANDOD Cycle Festival is returning for its third year this July 14 and 16 and will be officially opened by MP Chris Davies.

All major events are also coming back to the town, including: cycling enthusiasts and amateurs alike can enjoy the likes of the Guided Ride Llandod Contrex Challenge, Drover Cycles Dual Slalom, and on Sunday the Festival Sportive, Women’s Sportive, the new Veterans’ Ride, run by the Hereford section of Veterans’ Cycle Club and the Family Fun Ride.

There will also be some great extras including the Bike Stunt Show on Saturday lunchtime with coaching in between the shows and Cycle Training Shoretrax, a mountain bike pump track available for everyone to enjoy on the Sunday.

Cycle Training Wales will come with three instructors and offer Dr Bike, a care and repair service to teach us all some basic bike maintenance.

This year is the 25th anniversary of twinning with another spa town Contrexeville in France, so the Llandod Contrex Challenge is for everyone to ride the 1,220 miles there and back but all circuits count this year including the parents’ ones.

The circuit around the lake will include the Dual Slalom again and makes for an interesting ride.

A delegation from twinning will be in Contrexeville at the same time including Jon Williams, Mayor of Llandrindod Wells and former cyclist Barry Hoban will also be away in France remembering his team mate Tom Simpson who died 50 years ago during the 1967 tour.

Another special addition will be the showing of the Mike Hall DVD ‘Inspired to Ride’ in memory of Mike Hall, ultra-endurance rider.

This will be playing all weekend in the main marquee.

Why not come down, grab a burger and watch a film all for free.

There may also be a breeze ride for beginner ladies, so please get in touch with www.daisychainbikeevents.co.uk if you are interested.

Looking forward to this year’s event, Sue Green of the Chamber of Trade said: “Last year was tough because we were so busy.

“I am excited about the stunt show this year.

“We are trying to get kids and teenagers to come and it has to be enticing to get them back on their bikes.”

This year’s event is being supported by grants from the town council and Awards for All from the Big Lottery Fund.

Thanks are sent from the Chamber of Trade and Tourism to the Town Council and the Big Lottery Fund for the support.

For more information, contact Jeff or Sue Green on: 01597 825151.