Bike & Go launches 3rd annual Chic Cyclist Contest

LEADING bike hire scheme Bike & Go has launched its 3rd Chic Cyclist competition, and is inviting stylish cyclists across Southport to join in the fun. With cycling shorts the surprise hit of the catwalk for this year's spring/summer shows, and social media queens Kim Kardashian West and Bella Hadid pioneering their return, cycling gear is having a moment. But according to the Bike & Go team, you don't need to don lycra to enjoy a bike ride; and they're celebrating the wide variety of outfits worn by cyclists with their popular annual contest.

From skinny jeans and Superstars to wedding dresses, previous entrants have shown us that anything goes when it comes to using their bike to get around. And the cyclist crowned this year's winner will ride off into the sunset with ₤150 worth of high street vouchers.

To enter, users simply need to upload a photo of themselves in their most stylish cycling outfit and tweet it to @UKBikeandGo using the hash tag #ChicCyclist2018.

The closing date is Friday, 10 August 2018, and the winner will be announced, on Tuesday, 14 August 2018, through the @UKBikeandGo handle on Twitter.

David O'Leary, Director of Bike & Go said:- "Each year, Bike & Go users send in their photographs to show us that cycling outfits can consist of anything from jeans and a pair of Converse to business suits. The entries we've had for past competitions have been getting better and better, so we can't wait to see what chic outfits our cyclists come up with this summer."

Bike & Go offers bike hire facilities from 21 participating train stations across the Merseyrail network, including Liverpool Central, Moorfields, Aigburth, Southport, Ainsdale, Ormskirk and West Kirby, in addition to a further 49 participating train stations across much of the:- North West, North East and Yorkshire, East and South East of England, and Scotland.

In 2016 the scheme was praised by a UK division of the travel giant TripAdvisor when it was included in a list of the top 7 bicycle hire companies drawn up by its subsidiary rental company Holiday Lettings.

To hire a Bike & Go bike, users simply need to register their card details online, which they can do via smart phones, tablets, or at home, and pay the annual ₤10 subscription fee. They will then receive a user number via email which will allow immediate bike hire; usually charged at just ₤3.80 per 24 hours up to a maximum of 72 hours- while they wait for their Bike & Go membership card.

Once finished with, bikes can be dropped off at any participating Bike & Go bike hire facility.

Storyteller brings magic and adventure to Southport Food Festival

CHILDREN attending the Southport Food and Drink Festival will be taken on a range of magical adventures with professional storyteller Jude Lennon. The Liverpool based author will be returning to the festival at Victoria Park for the 3rd year running and will be telling stories about castles, knights, princesses and dragons all day on 1  June to 3  June 2018. Times will be confirmed on the day.

She will be bringing her iconic storytelling camper van Buttercup along to the festival and will be based in the 'Kids Corner,' which is being organised by Naomi Early from the Creation Station.

Miss Lennon, who set up her storytelling business Little Lamb Tales 4 years ago, provides fun and engaging entertainment for children of all ages.

As well as telling a range of exciting tales, she will also read from her own book The Dragon of Allerton Oak.

Miss Lennon said:- "I'm very excited about attending the Southport Food and Drink Festival again this year. It's always such a fantastic event and is a great way to kickstart my summer programme of storytelling events. This year's storytelling theme is all about castles so all of the sessions will feature either dragons, princes and princesses or knights in some shape or form. It should be another great weekend and with all the other activities on offer as well as the spectacular array of food and drink there will be plenty to keep the children entertained."

Miss Lennon, a former Primary Teacher, became a professional storyteller after publishing her 1st book 'Dragon of Allerton Oak.'

She has since gone on to publish 9 other books and has written on various topics such as mindfulness, dragons, astronauts, football and dancing flamingos.

Later this year Miss Lennon will be publishing her latest book which is all about Buttercup the VW Camper Van.

She will also be attending ad hosting other events over the summer including storytelling sessions at the Bridge Chapel Centre, Garston, on Tuesday's and Thursday's, during the Summer Holidays.

To keep up with all her latest writing projects and to find out where she will be appearing over the summer visit the website.