Hunt for Rotherham cycling leaders

THE hunt is on for Rotherham ride leaders to help inspire more people to get on their bikes and start cycling for fun.

If you love cycling recreationally and want to support others to get riding, you can become a British Cycling Ride Leader and lead group bike rides in and around the borough.

And with the celebrations for the Tour de France Grand Depart officially launched with the cultural 100-day Yorkshire Festival countdown, cycling has never been so glamorous.

Rotherham Borough Council has teamed up with British Cycling and Sky to deliver the organised rides.

There is no need to be a cycling expert or competitive racer; just be confident riding in a group.

Organised rides will take place across a variety of locations throughout the borough.

Some may start at Clifton Park, while others will be at Rother Valley Country Park or Maltby Leisure Centre.

Trained cyclists could lead a group of family riders on a short off road route around Clifton Park, or take mixed groups on longer routes across Rotherham, with some routes crossing into neighbouring local authorities.

Fee rides will take place at weekends throughout the year and Ride Leaders must be able to commit to leading guided rides on no less than four weekends during 2014.

All rides are delivered on set routes, at set times, specified by British Cycling. A free, assessed one-day course qualifies Ride Leaders to deliver guided bike rides for groups of beginner and intermediate level adults and/or accompanied children on roads and cycle paths.

The next free Ride Leader training course will take place on Friday, April 4, with further training courses expected to be organised in the future. After completing the course, Ride Leaders will receive a free kit and British Cycling Ride membership.

Anyone interested in finding out more or booking onto a future course should contact Chris Siddall on 01709 822478.