Herne Hill Velodrome’s big fundraising event will be held virtually this weekend
The Big VeloVete helps keep the iconic velodrome alive and features famous guests from across the cycling world
Herne Hill Velodrome’s big annual fundraising event has gone virtual this year, with the event running this week.
The Big Velofete returns as an online event from Thursday to Sunday (June 18-21) and will feature another great selection of cycling special guests.
Herne Hill Velodrome, the iconic South London cycling venue, has been closed to the public since the start of the coronavirus lockdown, but that won’t stop the team from hosting their essential fundraising event.
The Big VeloFete will feature a selection of virtual races on Zwift as well as interviews, talks and webcasts sessions from every area of cycling.
Highlight events will include talks with professional riders Ethan Hayter (Team Ineos) and Fred Wright (Bahrain-McLaren), who both grew up riding the famous banks of Herne Hill, while Ned Boulting, journalist Laura Laker and CEO of Fusion Media Adam Tranter will explore active travel and urban planning.
Cycling Weekly’s own tech editor Michelle Arthurs-Brennan will also be a special guest at the Big VeloFete, as she takes part in a discussion on the past, present and future of women’s cycling alongside Katie Archibald, commentator Rebecca Charlton and others.
Each event will be held via the video calling app Zoom and you can register for any of the races by emailing friends@hhvt.org or by messaging the organisers on Instagram @FriendsofHerneHill.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
You can donate to Herne Hill Velodrome through Virgin Money Giving here and a full list of events and timings is available on the Herne Hill website.
>>> ‘Bikes are seen today as a must-have’ says Ribble CEO as sales increase by 300 per cent
Races will include individual and team time trials, points and scratch races, and a flying QoM/KoM.
Volcano coffee will be hosting a session on how to make the perfect coffee, Transcontinental rider Emily Chappell will be in conversation with Rapha founder Simon Mottram, and aero expert Dan Bigham will also be offering tips on how to beat the wind.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Virtual cycling becomes real: We watched the esports world championships live in Abu Dhabi and it absolutely delivered
Exciting racing, celebrity attendance, pyrotechnics: it was so much more than watching people ride their trainers
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
London 3 Day live stream: Watch Sunday's action on Cycling Weekly's YouTube channel
Watch live as track cycling stars go head-to-head at the Lee Valley Velodrome
By Tom Davidson Published