Witney News - Gear up and GO cycling!

Gear up and GO cycling!

Cycling events are being organised to encourage people over the age of 16 in West Oxfordshire to get on their bikes, get active – and get discounted entry to this year’s cycling festival at Blenheim Palace.

‘GO Cycling’ has been organised by GO Active (Get Oxfordshire Active), a project supported by the District Council which aims to get more Oxfordshire adults to lead healthier, more active lifestyles.

Five to ten-mile cycle rides, led by coaches from Witney Mountain Bike Club, will take place every month from now until October, when the cycling festival takes place at Blenheim. The first takes place in Eynsham on Sunday 14th June, coinciding with the start of National Bike Week.

As well as giving residents the opportunity to take part in a leisurely Sunday cycle ride, drop-in sessions will run before each ride for people to have free bike safety checks and get advice.

The two-hour rides are open to anyone over 16, from beginners to keen cyclists, and cost just £1. Anyone who takes part in one or more of GO Cycling events will get a 10% discount on entry to Bike Blenheim Palace, which takes places in the palace grounds in Woodstock on 4th October.

GO Cycling rides will take place from midday until 2pm, starting in the following locations (drop-in sessions will run from 10am before the rides begin):

· 14th June: Eynsham Pavilion, Oxford Road, Eynsham
· 26th July: Witney Artificial Turf Pitch, off Station Lane, Witney.
· 29th August: Carterton Leisure Centre, Broadshires Way, Carterton.
· 5th September: Chipping Norton Leisure Centre, Burford Road, Chipping Norton.

West Oxfordshire’s GO Active Co-ordinator, Sarah Sandford, said: “Summer is an ideal time to make the most of the outdoors and cycling is a great way to do this. It is cheap, easy and helps you to get fit. After each of the GO Cycling rides, there will be a short flexibility session followed by refreshments and an opportunity to chat with like-minded people. We hope that this will inspire people to get together and go out cycling together in the future. We have maps of local cycling routes that could help, and will be happy to provide advice and information to anyone interested in setting up a cycling group.”

GO Cycling is just one of the initiatives being organised as part of the GO Active project. Other activities are also happening in West Oxfordshire. Visit www.getoxfordshireactive.org to find out more.

Anyone wanting further information about GO Cycling or GO Active can contact Sarah Sandford on 01993 861564.