Over a ousand turn out on bike and on foot to welcome Godiva home

On Saturday 10 August over a thousand cyclists and walkers took to Coventry's Ring Road to welcome Imagineer Production's Godiva back to Coventry. Cyclists spent the morning enjoying a car free Ring Road before joining walkers to become part of Godiva's Cavalcade, an amazing sight as it travelled the Ring Road.

During the morning as part of Ride the Ring Road, invited runners challenged cyclists aboard unusual cycles from the Royal Mail Bike to Raleigh Choppers to Penny Farthings to a race in Man vs Bike, with Man demonstrating they were faster on the day.

Godiva was welcomed back to the City by the Lord Mayor of Coventry Cllr Gary Crookes and helped Coventry City Council and Cycle Coventry launch Coventry on the Move aimed at encouraging people to get active! Cyclists, walkers and visitors to the City were entertained throughout the day by the Godiva aerlists, dancers, drummers, and choir along with national street theatre companies such as Natural Theatre Company and Pif Paf.

Following an evening of contemplation in the Cathedral Ruins, Godiva retired to her temporary sanctuary on the 17th Floor of the Ramada Hotel and Suites Coventry where she will rest until her permanent house is built and enjoy first class guest status with fantastic views across the City.

Jane Hytch, Imagineer said: Godiva's homecoming has been wonderful, the sight of hundreds of people on foot and on bikes alongside the Cyclopedia was truly memorable for Imagineer and for everyone who took part on the day. The whole day felt like a real celebration of our collective successes in 2012 and of Godiva herself who has returned and will now rest ahead of journeys that will take her across the region and beyond in 2014.

Cllr Rachel Lancaster, Cabinet Member for Public Services, Coventry City Council said: Coventry was really on the move on Saturday, to see so many people welcoming Godiva on their bikes and enjoying a walk on the car free ring road was really special and an important milestone in the revival of cycling our City. This event will inspire local people get more active and enjoy the free cycle rides, training and health walks in the city"

Mike Shaw, General Manager of the Ramada Hotel & Suites, Coventry said: Godiva is certainly our most unconventional guest to-date but we are thrilled to have her on our 17th Floor in a bespoke apartment catering to her size and needs. We are delighted to be supporting Imagineer in their on-going plans for Godiva. The ethos of Ramada is you do your thing; and leave the rest to us', and we just hope we have managed to anticipate all our new guests' needs, however large or small, (emphasis of course of the large in this case!) We are proud she will consider the Ramada Hotel as her home for the duration of her stay .

Imagineer Productions teamed up with Coventry City Council and Cycle Coventry to deliver Godiva Awakes - The Homecoming. The project was also supported by the Ramada Hotel, Coventry.

To keep the momentum going and keep Coventry moving more information about cycling is available at www.coventry.gov.uk/cycling

LINK:	http://www.imagineerproductions.co.uk/blog_entry/2095/latest_news/late...
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