We’re celebrating Val French as she recently marked her 500th ride (and still counting) as a Breeze Champion.

Breeze Champions are British Cycling-trained ride leaders who serve as ambassadors in order to break down barriers to cycling for women, by providing fun and free bike rides for women of all abilities.

The goal is to create a collective of strong female role models to become a driving force behind British Cycling’s #OneInAMillion ambition: to get one million more women cycling by 2020.

Val is from Barmby Moor in Yorkshire, a close-knit village and historic market town surrounded by picturesque countryside that provides the perfect backdrop for scenic bike rides.

Val was first trained as a ride leader – a Breeze Champion – by British Cycling in 2011. Since then, she’s helped more than 3,700 women build up their confidence in the saddle and has now marked her 500th ride with the programme.

Fellow Breeze Champion and Barmby Moor Pink Ladies rider Hilary Farrow said: “Val is an inspiration and has changed many women’s lives through Breeze.

"It took six months and a lot of her persuasive powers to get me to join my first Breeze ride. I’m now five stones lighter, a Breeze Champion and love the friends I’ve made along the way.

"And I’m full of the Pink Ladies’ memories of sportives, weekend trips and cycling holidays. I’m proud to be a part of her journey."

“To lead 500 rides shows amazing dedication,” added British national road race cycling champion Jessica Roberts. “The incredible work of HSBC UK Breeze wouldn’t be possible without the tireless work of inspirational Breeze Champions like Val, who organise rides all year round.

"I hope Val will continue to support and inspire more women to discover the benefits of cycling on their own terms and ride for many years to come.”

As well as being an inspiring member of the British Cycling community, Val has taken her passion for cycling across the world, riding as far afield as Vietnam and Cambodia to raise money for several children’s families.

If you’ve been inspired by her story, join the #OneInAMillion campaign to help break down the gender gap in cycling.

For more information about getting involved and practical tips about how to get in the saddle, visit www.britishcycling.org.uk/womenscycling.

Here’s to the next 500 rides, Val!