Lovers of Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wines or regular or occasional mountain-bikers alike, everyone is invited to take part in the second Blaye Wines Mountain Bike Ride on Sunday, 19 May 2013 from 8.30 a.m. The start will take place at the Citadel of Blaye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All are welcome. Participants have a choice of three circuits, according to their level. There is a 55-km circuit for experienced riders, a 40-km circuit that calls for stamina but makes no great technical demands, and a 20-km circuit suitable for all the family, even on trek bikes. There is a new addition to this year’s event: in response to demand from participants, a 15‑km walk through the vineyards to the north of Blaye has been organised so that those accompanying the bikers can also join in.

High class!

“In addition to the exceptional location and the wines, what makes this ride so remarkable is the quality of the welcome and the service at fuelling stops”, says Bruno Albert, president of HG Green Bike, the mountain-bike club organising the event. The fuelling stops located at intervals along the route will be in keeping with the standard of the event. “It will be high-class stuff! We’ll be setting up the fuelling stops near wash-houses in pleasant countryside spots or in château courtyards. There’ll be white cloths and candelabra on the tables, the water will be in glass bottles, we’ll have Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wineglasses for the wine-tastings and the volunteers who serve the riders will be wearing gloves”, he adds.

No competition

Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wines are pulling out all the stops for a sporting event where the friendly atmosphere and discovery of the vineyard are a priority. “The riders will also be offered high-quality fruit: melons, oranges and bananas”, says the president of HG Green Bike. The Blaye Wines Mountain Bike Ride is not a competitive event, so the participants can enjoy the scenery of the Gironde estuary, call into châteaux courtyards and taste wines without having to worry about their time… And it’s free, for everyone! 700 riders took part in the first Blaye Wines Mountain Bike Ride and it already looks as though there will be more than that this year. So join the happy band of Blaye Wine mountain-bikers and register for the ride on the website www.hggreenbike.com!