Image: Rodion Kutsaev
Welsh Cycling’s participation officer talks through how Welsh Cycling is not just for athletes and those already involved in the sport.
Over the next few years Welsh Cycling is aiming to provide more people in Wales with the opportunity to cycle and to achieve their personal cycling goals. Supported by HSBC UK, British Cycling and a loyal group of volunteers there are now a wide of range cycling opportunities for those who may not have seen the sport as accessible previously. Whether you are venturing out for the first time, looking for like-minded people to ride and go for a coffee with or want to help others get into the sport, Welsh Cycling, British Cycling and HSBC UK hope to be able to support you.
For Everyone:
Funding from HSBC UK and British Cycling has led to the development of HSBC UK Ride Social, an online platform for people looking to ride socially with others, get back into riding or want to spend more time on their bike. Forget setting a new PB on the climbs and leave the skinsuits at home, Ride Social is all about putting in a few miles on your bike, meeting new people and discovering some of the best places in Wales to go for a cuppa and a slice of cake. Once registered with www.letsride.co.uk/social you have the ability to search, join, create rides and buddy up with like-minded people within your local area. The platform has been live since early 2017 with great success across the UK. Welsh Cycling is now supporting the program across Wales and is keen for riders of all backgrounds to join and create rides across the country.
For Women:
HSBC UK’s Breeze program has had great success across Wales over the past three years, volunteer Breeze Champions trained by British Cycling have led over 770 women-only rides in the last year. Rides are strictly for women only and offer accessible led cycling experiences for all abilities. For more information on joining a ride or becoming a Breeze Champion visit www.letsride.co.uk/breeze or contact one of our Women and Girls Development Officers, Emma White (South) Emma.White@welshcycling.co.uk or Gaynor Davies (North) Gaynor.Davies@welshcycling.co.uk.
For led rides in the capital:
This year sees the launch of HSBC UK’s Guided rides in Wales, following on from the success of HSBC UK city ride Cardiff the city now has a team of British Cycling trained ride leaders running rides across the city throughout the year. Rides will have a preprogrammed route and will range in length, terrain and time of day, search or join a ride at www.letsride.co.uk/guided-rides.
To get involved...
We want to get 3,000 new people cycling socially in Wales over the next year, if you currently have a social riding group or you would like to start riding socially please contact Sam.Richards@Welshcycling.co.uk, Welsh Cycling can offer a range of information and support around setting up a social group and keeping your group cycling.
Happy Riding!
