Four Breeze Champions in Wales have successfully led and supported women on over 100 rides, since the programme was first introduced to Wales in 2014.

The female only programme is aimed at helping thousands of women feel confident and comfortable about going on a bike ride.

Led by women for women, trained Breeze Champions organise free, local bike rides throughout the country, every week.

Newport Breeze Champion Mary Trenfield has led over 150 rides since she first joined the programme in 2014, and was one of the very first trained champions.

"Breeze Bike rides are a safe environment to introduce or re-introduce women to the joys of being out on a bike!" she added.

In 2015, Mary also won 'Volunteer of the Year' at the Welsh Cycling Annual Awards for her contributions to the programme.

Ceredigion Breeze Champion Nia Richards trained as a Breeze Champion in March 2015 and has since led over 180 rides in and around Ciliau Aeron.

Nia said: "By offering Breeze, I feel that I am getting more women involved in cycling, and can offer a relaxed, comfortable and social environment for getting fitter".

She began taking the cycling mum’s of West Wales Cycle Racing Team out on their bikes each week whilst their children took part in the HSBC UK Go-Ride sessions. Nia also accepted the Volunteer award at the Annual Welsh Cycling Awards in 2016, for running rides in partnership with the National Trust, at Llanerchaeron National Trust property in the wooded Aeron valley.

The HSBC UK Breeze rides are available to suit all skill level and abilities, and also often include that all important coffee stop, which offers an opportunity for riders to get to know eachother that little bit more.

Newport Breeze Champion Christine Smith has led over 170 rides since she joined in October 2014 and was also acknowledged for her hard work at the 2015 Welsh Cycling Annual Awards; as well as Shelly Whiting who has successfully run over 130 rides around Newport city since July 2015.

During the last three years, over 6000 Breeze cycling opportunities have been created for women in Wales by the hundreds of Breeze Champions who dedicate their time to arranging and leading rides on a weekly basis.

Emma White, Women and Girls lead for Welsh Cycling said "These achievements truly highlight how passionate our Breeze Champions are about Cycling and encouraging other women to be involved.

"We'd like to use today to truly celebrate these fantastic results, and the hard work of every single one of our Breeze champions across the country, who have made a massive difference for Cycling and Women in Wales.

"We are excited to welcome even more women and girls on our rides this year or to even train to become a champion themselves and look forward to many more of our Breeze Champions accomplishing over 100 rides".

Find out more information about the HSBC UK Breeze Programme here 

Find your nearest Breeze Training course here.