LIVERPOOL CHESTER LIVERPOOL BIKE RIDE TAKES PLACE THIS WEEKEND

THE Liverpool Chester Liverpool Bike Ride – one of the largest mass participation bike rides in the country – takes place this weekend and motorists are being warned about disruptions to traffic.

The event takes place on Sunday, 5 July 2009, and will mean that the Queensway (Birkenhead) Tunnel is closed for most of the day to allow cyclists to ride through the tunnel traffic-free.  However, the Kingsway Tunnel will remain open to motorists throughout the event.

More than 2,200 cyclists of all abilities from the region and other parts of the country are expected to take part in the event which offers a choice of 4 rides: 20, 25, 54 and 90 miles. More than 100 cyclists are taking part in the 90-mile ride – the 1st time the sportive (or fun ride) has been staged as part of this event.

James Stanistreet, aged 68, from Rainhill, is taking part in the 90-mile sportive. He had ridden in all previous 15 Liverpool Chester Liverpool Bike Ride events. He will be riding with 10 other, over 60-year-olds – all members of Liverpool Mercury (Dolan) Cycling Club.

Pete Matthews, 66, of Liverpool, the current National Over 65s Road Racing Cycling Champion, is also taking part in the 90-mile sportive. Mark Jones, Head of Liverpool: Active City, one of the sponsors of the Liverpool Chester Liverpool Bike Ride, is also riding the 90-mile sportive.

A 6-mile ride called The Chester Family Fun Ride is also taking place as part of the Liverpool Chester Liverpool Bike Ride 2009. As the name implies, it’s aimed at families wanting a gentle introduction to an organised cycling event.  Pre-entry has now closed but people can still take part in any of the 5 rides by entering on the day for an additional £2 admin charge. For further details please visit:- pennineevents.co.uk.  A mini cycle show takes place at the finish. Full ride participant support services, refreshments, and a free t-shirt are provided for those taking part.

The Liverpool Chester Liverpool Bike Ride is sponsored by Liverpool Primary Care Trust, Merseytravel and Active City. Pennine Events Limited, one of the country’s leading organisers of cycling events, is organising the event.

Mark Sandamas, Director of organisers Pennine Events, said:- “The event is a great way for people of all fitness levels to get on their bikes and enjoy the beautiful countryside whilst at the same time meeting new people and, if they wish, raise money for their favourite charity. It offers the opportunity for cyclists to ride 5 miles underground (through the tunnel) which is currently the longest distance that cyclists can ride underground anywhere in the country.  We are hoping for great weather and an enjoyable day for all those taking part.”

Councillor Ken McGlashan, a member of Merseytravel’s Tunnels Board and Chair of its Environment Committee, said:- “Although the Queensway Tunnel will be closed to allow cyclists to ride through it traffic-free, the Kingsway Tunnel will remain open for the duration of the event. We hope that motorists will take note of diversion signs and be patient.”

Dr. Paula Grey, Joint Director of Public Health for Liverpool PCT/Liverpool City Council, added:- “We are looking forward to a great event where people can help themselves to either get fit or test their fitness. The event is just one aspect of the PCT’s work with Liverpool Challenge to get people in Liverpool to collectively lose 1 million pounds in weight.” 

EVERTON ONE BREAKS A RECORD

THE weekend opening of Everton One, Everton Football Club’s newly refurbished store at Goodison Park, was hailed an "outstanding success" by both the club and its retail partner, Kitbag Ltd.   Everton's player of the season, Phil Jagielka officially opened the store on Saturday 11 June 2009, watched by hundreds of fans who had queued from 5.00am to be one of the first to get into the store and buy the new Everton Le Coq Sportif home kit for the 2009/10 season.

"We had a steady queue of people stretching 200 to 300 yards for over five hours on Saturday and we broke all records for Everton Retail,"  "I am delighted to say that we were up almost 200% on first day sales of any previous new kits – 20% over target sales for the whole day, which is incredibly rewarding for everybody involved both at Kitbag and at Everton Football Club.” said Ray Evans MD of Kitbag Ltd.

Chris Bailes, Kitbag's retail operations manager for Everton and formerly the store manager of Liverpool FC's City Centre store said:- "I have seen nothing like it before in all my years of football retailing. The fans have really taken to the new kit in an unprecedented way."

Robert Elstone, CEO of Everton commented:- "This is just reward for all the hard work that has been put in by Kitbag and our marketing support team over the past few months. We have done really well in totally refurbishing the store in just 26 days and opening it with such aplomb. I am delighted the new kit has gone down so well with our fans and our sales figures are testimony to this."

Everton Two, The club's new Liverpool City Centre store will be officially opened this coming weekend and further details will be announce shortly.

Job Vacancy that’s out of this world

SPACEPORT is looking to recruit a squad of 12 marines to hunt a terrifying alien.  The Alien has been genetically created to fight and kill, although blind, it hunts and kills on sound, it does not eat, sleep and is virtually indestructible.  Auditions and interviews are being held this week.  Spaceport general manager Ken Moss said:- “It’s not a joke. We really do have the vacancies which need to be filled urgently.”  The “marines” will be part of the team in an alien-encounter experience called “Alien Wars” which has already proved a smash hit in London and Glasgow.  They will guide visitors through a terrifying and fun 15 minute simulation with the inevitable twists and turns as portrayed in the movie ‘Alien’. Ken Moss added:- “Experience with aliens is not essential for the job but applicants will need to be healthy, not easily frightened and have an outgoing personality.  The Alien Wars experience is unique. Its fun but it can also be terrifying. This is the 1st time anything like this will have been staged in our region.”  Auditions are being held at Spaceport, Seacombe Ferry Terminal, this Thursday, 2 July 2009. Applications are available from the alien hotline on 0151 330 1452 or via email. Alien Wars opens on 17 July 2009.