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Are you riding a cyclo sportive or Gran Fondo this summer? We know that you’ll have spent the last few months preparing for your race. But we want to help you with a few last minute tips from our expert guides! 1) CHECK YOUR BIKE It’s now probably too late to get your bike serviced by a professional. However, you can still cover some basics yourself, which will certainly improve your chances of avoiding a mechanical. Wheels – Check for trueness. If it’s looking quite wobbly, get a mechanic to have a look at the expo. This should hopefully help prevent you breaking any spokes during the ride. Tyres – check for cuts etc and replace if anything looks bad (you’ll always be able to get a tire at the expo). If the tyres look ok, pick out any debris that might be lodged in the small nicks/cuts on the tyre. Get those tiny glass fragments out before it works its way through to the inner tube. If you do end up changing a tyre, make sure you ride your bike for at least 5 minutes before you

Sports Tours International has a team of expert mechanics on hand to help our clients out when they need it most. From a simple puncture to a major breakdown, their job is get you back on the road as quickly as possible. We caught up with Roy Pearson, a skilled mechanic and veteran of dozens of Sports Tours International trips to find out more about the work he does and some of the more unusual jobs he’s encountered! BUT FIRST, A BIT MORE ABOUT ROY… Roy built his experience servicing hundreds of bikes at Ribble Cycles and Dolan Bikes, building countless wheels at Hewitt Cycles and surviving Pro Cycling without much sleep at the Tour of Britain when working for the United Healthcare Pro Cycling Team. As well as working as a mechanic, Roy is also one of our expert guides and he has raced at an elite level. Not so long ago, he was in the same race as the Yates Brothers. So when Simon Yates rode away from the entire GC to the surprise of the world’s media at this year’s Giro, it was no

Sports Tours International is delighted to announce JD Gyms Preston as the official title sponsor of this years City of Preston 10k. Taking place on Sunday September 30 th , the race returns to the city after uncertainty surrounding its future. Sports Tours International, a leading mass participation event organiser based in the North West who deliver the Tour of Tameside, UKFast We Love Manchester 10k, UKFast City of Salford 10k and Alder Hey Children’s Charity 10k are thrilled to take over and drive forward the well supported race, formerly known as the Run Preston 10k. Kevin Harmer, UK Events & Sponsorship Manager for Sports Tours International said; “With our experience in delivering a number of mass participation running events across the North West, we learnt of the need for a new delivery partner to come in and take control of the event. After meeting with Preston City Council, it was obvious to see the potential in taking over the race and the request from them to have

ABOUT CLEAN AIR DAY Air pollution is real and harms the health of millions. But there are lots of simple things we can do to improve air quality and look after our own and other people’s health. Clean Air Day is a chance to find out more about air pollution, share information with friends and colleagues, and help make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.   Living on the outskirts of Manchester and working in Salford, which is two of the worst places for air quality in the UK , I’m all for Clean Air Day. I’m also an advocate, as I cycle to work most days and often experience lungs full of black smoke from badly maintained diesel engines ( although research suggests that pollution inside the car is even worse than outside  ). So anything that promotes behaviour changes to reduce pollution, get people active and improve our lives, we’ll do our best here at Sports Tours International to raise awareness. After a terrible wet and cold winter for commuting by bicycle, the recent

Sports Tours International, founded in 1973 by Irish international marathon runner Vince Regan, has acquired the Republic of Ireland’s largest running tour operator Sports Travel International. Sports Tours International is Europe’s leading tour operator, offering multi-sports experiences, challenges and events. The Manchester-based company, which celebrates its 45 th year in business this year, is known worldwide for its partnerships with all of the World Marathon Majors, iconic cycling events such as the Tour De France, and its association with the world’s number one active lifestyle resort, Club La Santa in Lanzarote.   Commenting on the acquisition Sports Tours International CEO Chris Bird said, “We are delighted to have agreed a deal with Sports Travel International. The owner Martin Joyce has been a long-time friend of our business and is one of the most respected operators in our sector. I am delighted that Martin will continue working with us as his knowledge and guida

A record number of entrants were seen at this years Tour of Tameside, the four day back to back running challenge. Over 1,200 race entries ranging from elite club runners to first time participants took on four testing routes in some of the best locations Tameside has to offer. Kevin Harmer, UK Events & Sponsorship Manager for Sports Tours International said; “After bringing the Tour back in 2015, the event has grown on average 25% each year and this year has been no exception. With an increased number of runners, sponsors and partners on all four days, the event has again been a fantastic showcase and will help further in getting ‘the whole borough on the move.” Competitors took part in ‘The Ultimate Running Challenge’ which consisted of the X-Trail 10k, Hell on the Fell, Hero Half Marathon and Dr Ron Hyde 7 mile races back to back, so true to its history the endurance levels required to run four days back to back was evident once more. A ‘Walking Tour of Tameside’ and ‘Scho

We caught up with our inspirational Community Ambassador, Rhianna Parkinson, to discuss her experience of taking on the Ironman 70.3 England. So over to Rhianna! “What a day! 2 years ago I was looking anxiously out across Chase water Lake, about to tackle my first Ironman 70.3. I had the worst butterflies in my stomach as I queued up for the swim start and I wasn’t even sure if I was going to make it! June 10 th 2018, and I’m looking across the same water  (albeit a lot mistier this year) feeling confident, fit and healthy, and looking forward to what I knew was going to be a great day, and training experience ahead of the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in just 12 weeks’ time.” The swim start was delayed by 1 hour due to safety concerns over very poor visibility as the fog descended over Chase water Lake, but everybody was in great spirits and the atmosphere was positive. Thankfully however, the swim eventually went ahead as planned. I loved the natural lake and steadied mysel