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We're getting set for a Summer of Cycling

26 April 2012

Here in Coventry, home of the modern bicycle, we're getting set for a pedal-powered Summer of cycling events and exhibitions, all put together by staff here at the Coventry Transport Museum. 

As well as the hundreds of cars and motorbikes in the collection, Coventry Transport Museum is home to over 200 cycles dating from the first days of cycling to the present.  Many of these cycles are on permanent display at the Museum all year round, but this Summer, we will be holding a series of special events to throw the spotlight on some of the machines, and the people, who have influenced the story of cycling as a sport and a pastime throughout the ages.

The Summer of cycling will centre around a major new temporary exhibition celebrating the history and heroes of competitive cycling, entitled Pedals To Medals, which runs from 22 June to 14 October, with free admission.  Visitors will be able to get up close with bicycles and memorabilia from Olympic champions Tommy Godwin, Chris Boardman and Tom Sabin, as well as bikes that were ridden to glory on roads, velodromes, mountains and Cyclocross tracks, and hear the stories of incredible people from the Coventry area who changed the face of cycling forever.  The exhibition will also include a huge amount of cycling memorabilia, to create an immersive and interactive experience.

The Summer gets started with the third annual Tom Sabin Commemorative Cycle Ride from Coventry to Much Wenlock on 9 & 10 June - for which we are hoping to attract up to 60 cyclists to take part in a 186-mile round trip in commemoration of the achievements of this forgotten Olympic cycling hero.

Other events include evening talks from author Rob Penn, cycling historian and the UK’s only professional penny-farthing rider Roger Lovell, and designer of the Chris Boardman Lotus bike Mike Burrows, as well as family events and activities at the Coventry Cycling Festival on Saturday 23rd June and a fantastic Heritage Bicycle Ride around the City on Mon 11, Fri 15 and Mon 18 June.