Walk and Ride Festival - explore the surrounding landscape

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The Walk and Ride Festival 2013 is a celebration of all things cycling, walking and horse riding

The Walk and Ride Festival 2013 is a celebration of all things cycling, walking and horse riding with a Mountain Bike Challenge, the Rochdale Way Walk and the Whitworth Rushcart celebrations.

The festival, taking place between Saturday 7 September and Sunday 22 September, will include a variety of cycling events and plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding landscape.

This year sees the South Pennines prepare for the Grand Depart of the Tour De France 2014 which will pass through the countryside on day two of Le Tour.

There are plenty of events to get involved with during this year’s programme.

‘The Moor Power Mountain Bike Challenge’ will start at 8.30am on Sunday 8 September. The challenging 30km moorland bike ride aims to raise money for charity through sponsorship and an entry fee of £15 for those taking part in the ride.

The ‘Rochdale Way Walk’ is split up into six parts that will each take place on a different day. Those who have completed all six parts will receive a certificate. Part one takes place on Monday 9 September at 10am Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre.

Sunday 8 September sees the annual Whitworth Rushcart celebrations. The celebrations include morris dancing, live music, shire horses, face painting, food and drink and much more. The traditional English procession sets off at 1pm from the car park at North Street, Whitworth. It is believed there are only four Rushcart celebrations left in the whole of the UK now.

The launch of the festival starts with a race and two short films, “Le Grand Depart” and “The Magic Tenner” on Friday 5 July from 6.30pm, at the old Cycle Speedway Track, Hollins Park, Sowerby Bridge.

Tim Royle, of the production company WhiteNoSugar, said “Le Grand Depart” had all been shot in and around the South Pennines, very close to the actual Tour route.