Riders set to turn the clocks back to the halcyon days of cycling

Midweek Herald: Vintage Velo in Seaton. Picture: SUBMITTEDVintage Velo in Seaton. Picture: SUBMITTED (Image: Archant)

Seaton is set to host the 14th Velo Vintage Occasion and Ride, for the second year running, on Saturday, June 30.

It is part of a weekend of events for Seaton Cycle Fest.

Velo Vintage itself is run by Penny Farthing enthusiasts, father and son, Alistair and Sebastian Cope.

Midweek Herald: Vintage Velo in Seaton. Picture: SUBMITTEDVintage Velo in Seaton. Picture: SUBMITTED (Image: Archant)

Alistair lives in Seaton, works in the cycle industry and often with the charity Blesma, assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss.

Sebastian lives and works in Lyme Regis and is a volunteer lifeboat crew member of the Lyme Regis RNLI.

Velo Vintage is not a charity event, but does raise funds for Headway Devon, based in Exeter.

Alistair and Sebastian hope that this year’s event will take the total raised to more than £8,000 for the charity from their various activities.

“We would encourage as many spectators along to meet the riders and see some of their amazing machines, including tricycles, tandems and penny farthings” said Sebastian.

“We have a limited number of tickets available for the ride itself, but it is such a great day and we’d love everyone to come along to the Grand Depart at 10:30 am from Seaton Jurassic or when we stop in Windsor Gardens, Cross Street at 1:45 pm.”

Explaining why he thinks the event has grown over the years, he said: “Nostalgia is very powerful. We love to step back into those halcyon days, slow our busy lives down, take time to converse and of course dress with style.

“Add to that, using bicycles to ride from one venue to the next, means we have pretty much the perfect ingredients for a relaxing day in Devon.”

Velo Vintage has only been held in Devon and endeavours to embrace the county’s traditions with cider, cream teas, Morris Men and cakes high on the priority list!

* You can join the ride as a rider by purchasing a ticket from the Velo Vintage website or just turn up to spectate, enjoy the live music and the unusual sight of over 100 riders dressed in style riding around the Axe Valley.

Further details: www.velovintage.co.uk