Ventnor Blog

The SQ2SQ 2008 team are group of firefighters who will be cycling from St Thomas’ Square in Newport to the Vatican Square in Italy this coming September. The purpose of their marathon cycle is to raise funds and awareness for the Wessex Cancer Trust.

Recently, John Giddings, the organiser and promoter of the Isle of Wight Festival donated a pair to Festival tickets to the group and they are today launching a prize draw that anyone can enter. (more…)

Sitting at the desk looking out onto the sea this morning, just caught sight of a brightly clad pair on a tandem.

“Ooh look a tandem,” I piped up “Oh another, another, another, another, another, another and another!” (more…)

The Big Wight is the new name for the Wight Diamond Challenge/Festival which is held each year at Ninham Holiday Camp in Shanklin.

The festival takes place over 23-26 May and whether you live on the Wight or will be travelling from over the water, the schedule of events is jam packed.

There are two major events taking place, The Big Wight and the Wight Challenge as well as the Pick and Mix. (more…)

We see on the Motor Boat and Yachting website today that a new event called the Great Island Challenge is planned for later this year, taking place around and on the Wight.

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It really is festival time here on The Isle of Wight. With White Air just finished, Bestival coming up at the end of the week and next week sees the IW Cycling Festival.

There are many events organised for the latter, including one that might appeal to many of our readers.

Starting off at the Wight Mouse Pub in Chale, join other like minded people as you visit several family friendly country pubs in the South Wight cycling around 10 miles. Next stop will be The Three Bishops (Brighstone) and finally onto The Crown (Shorwell).
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Organisers of IW Cycling Festival have taken a leaf out of the IW Walking Festival’s books and organised a ’singles’ cycle on Saturday 22nd September.

Setting off at 2pm from Shanklin Railway Station, this will be a ‘gentle fun ride for singles along the scenic Sunshine Trail into Godshill’.

They’ll be stopping at the Griffin for ‘light refreshments’ before heading back to Shanklin.

If you find yourself enjoying the company of the other members of the group, after the ride, why not park your bike at the station and head over to the Falcon to carry on the socialising.
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As we reported back at the beginning of August, the IW Cycling Festival kicks off on Saturday 15th September.

We’ve just heard that ‘celebrity’ gardener, Charlie Dimmock will be at the official launch.

Given that she’ll be present at the sink or swim event where there’ll be lots of water being splashed around, let’s hope it doesn’t turn into a wet t-shirt competition.

Joining Charlie at the launch will be a team of Isle of Wight firefighters who are planning to cycle to the Vatican in Rome for charity and Worldwide Cycling Champion, Tony Doyle MBE.

[Image courtesy of UKTV]

If you’re a reader of Joe Blogs, our Chief Exec Joe Duckworth’s blog, you’ll understand that this is one that’ll get his adrenalin racing (and hopefully his legs too).

Each year, the Isle of Wight plays host to one of the UK’s largest and best loved cycling festivals and 2007 will be no exception.

The festival is being launched with a “sink or swim” fun race on the 15th September. Teams of bonkers bike riders will cross the River Medina on “aquabikes” (illustrated in the picture opposite) and attempt to get across without completely submerging.
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Each year, the Isle of Wight plays host to one of the UK’s largest and best loved cycling festivals and 2007 will be no exception.

The festival is being launched with a “sink or swim” fun race on the 15th September. Teams of bonkers bike riders will cross the River Medina on “aquabikes” (illustrated in the picture opposite) and attempt to get across without completely submerging.

Worldwide Cycling Champion, Tony Doyle MBE, will officially open the event at Seaclose Park in Newport at noon, and the event runs from 11am-4pm

As part of the days celebrations, there will a cycle stunt show and displays from local cycling clubs, as well as national organisations including the Solent Veteran, Vintage Cycling Club and cycling pressure group SUSTRANS.

But that’s not all, if you want to learn more about cycling safety, visit the special cycle safety course and if you fancy a laugh, the cycle circus will be running throughout the day.

Cycling Festival Website

As you probably already know, this year the White Air Extreme Sports Festival is moving from it’s regular slot of windy October to the warmer climes of August (27 Aug - 2 Sept).

Despite some local opposition to the date change, it has been approved and given the go-ahead. Which must be quite a relief for organiser Nigel Howell, who can now carry on pulling together the 11th festival that will host the biggest Windsurfing World Event ever held in the UK!

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I know we’ve only just come out of the Easter Holidays, but if you’re planning the half term break already, how about considering the Wight Diamond Festival?

In it’s 12th year now, the Mountain Biking Festival which is based just outside Shanklin, continues to use the Island for it’s event courses and suites all levels of riders.

This is definitely an old school MTB Festival, offering great riding during the day and a lively and friendly social scene at night.

On site will be “the big event centre marquee, featuring a cafe, pig roasts and full bar all weekend, as well as two nights of live music and entertainment and a big prize presentation party on Sunday night.”

For more information about the Wight Diamond Festival and other cycling events, call Trail Break on 0118 976 2491 or visit their website.

Site Location: Ninham Country Holidays campsite, nr Shanklin, Isle of Wight

[image courtesy of Trail Break]