More than 4,000 people are expected to watch a hundred top international female cyclists, including British Olympic heroes, cross the finish line on Angel Hill in Bury St Edmunds at the end of five-day inaugural Friends Life Women’s Tour next Sunday (11 May).

The first riders are expected to cross the finish line at approximately 12.50pm and presentations to the winners will be made on Angel Hill at approximately 1.20pm.

Spectators wanting to catch the last stage of the finish are urged to get to get an early place along the stretch from Southgate Green to the Athenaeum. The route from Harwich to Bury St Edmunds can be found online here.
 
Bury St Edmunds has planned a weekend celebration of cycling and sport to celebrate this event, which is aimed at encouraging people to get back on their bike and exploring the beautiful cycle paths – helping Suffolk become the UK’s Most Active County. Activities will be taking place in Charter Square, Angel Hill, the Abbey Gardens, the Apex and on Bury’s Saturday market.

Alison Blackwell, Development Director at Abbeycroft Leisure which is organising many of the planned events and the Friends Life Women’s Tour entrance into Bury St Edmunds, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Bury St Edmunds and what a way to spend a Sunday morning, watching cyclists at the very top of their game on our doorstep. It is a wonderful coup for the town to host the finish and we hope it inspires people to get on their bike and get out into our beautiful countryside and help make Suffolk the most active county in the UK.”

Tour Inspired Activities:

Friday 9 May
Suffolk's Road Safety Show on Angel Hill 10.30am to 2.30pm – free bike checks, road safety advice and info on the Friends Life Women's Tour
 
Saturday 10 May
Abbeycroft's Get Inspired Get Active weekend of activities – Total Trax (portable mountain bike track) and Rollerdrome (have a go at riding a track racing bike without leaving the stage) in Charter Square with Dr Bike carrying our bike checks and maintenance 11am to 4pm.

Collection of classic bicycles, including a Penny Farthing racing bike, from Moyse’s Hall Museum on display on Bury St Edmunds Market (Buttermarket) from 10am – 3pm.
 
Sunday 11 May
Women on Wheels (WoW) ladies charity cycle ride in aid of St Nicholas Hospice, sponsored by Rudlings Wakelam, sets off at 8am and 8.30am from Charter Square, ending in the Abbey Gardens.

Abbeycroft school holiday camp and Explore Outdoor taster sessions in Charter Square including Dodgeball, Tri Golf, bread baking and camp fire cooking from 11am to 4pm.

Local sports clubs and health organisations will be holding a showcase in The Apex plus there's jewellery and mask making for children from 11am to 4pm.

Activities near the finish line on Angel Hill include cycle security marking, British Cycling Go Ride demonstrations, wattbikes and sprint races for youngsters organised by the West Suffolk Wheelers and Triathlon Club

Collection of classic bicycles, including a Penny Farthing racing bike, from Moyse’s Hall Museum on display in the Abbey Gardens from 11am to 2pm.