Are you planning a major trip? Why not attend Cycle Touring Festival in Clitheroe in May?

BikeBiz reports that there is now an event for those interested in exploring by bike. The first Cycle Touring Festival will be held over the weekend of 1st–3rd May at Waddow Hall in Clitheroe, Lancashire.

Aimed at anyone interested in bike tours, the weekend will feature a variety of workshops. Many relate to the bike itself – there are sessions on choosing the right bike and equipment, for example – but there will also be advice about how to film your tour, how to write about it and how to keep people up-to-date with how you’re getting on via websites and social media.

There will also be a number of sessions focused on different parts of the world and the challenges they bring. There will be discussion about specific places but also about extreme environments, such as when cycling at altitude, in remote areas, in extreme cold, or in the desert.

There will also be evening talks, films, competitions and an open-mic session. Speakers will include Steve and Kat Turner, who cycled home from New Zealand on a tandem; Tom Allen of Janapar fame; and Kev Shannon, who on one expedition was reduced to punching a wolf in the face (in self defence, obviously).

In a bid to create a festival atmosphere, all weekend tickets include camping and food – although the organisers say that day tickets may be offered nearer the time. Over a hundred weekend tickets have been sold already, while the venue itself has a capacity of 200. A regular ticket is £75, but it’s also possible to upgrade to B&B accommodation.

A number of companies have said that they will be involved, offering prizes for competitions and providing product samples for goody bags. However, co-organiser, Laura Moss – who recently returned from a 16-month, 13,000 mile cycle around the world – is keen for more to get involved. She emphasises that attendees represent a targeted market.

"Bike industry folks could hang out and talk to people about bikes, rather than standing by a table trying to sell stuff. The emphasis is on community, knowledge-sharing and having a good time, rather than giving customers the hard sell."

For more information, see the Cycle Touring Festival website.