BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
The Victoria Pendleton-backed women-only Cycletta cycle rides are back for 2012, with more route options and lower age restrictions.
Launched last year with Participate Sport, Cycletta was specifically designed to attract women of all abilities to cycling across two traffic-free rides. Nearly 2,000 women took part in the rides, alongside series ambassador Pendleton.
This year the age restriction has been lowered from 18 to 16, the series has extended to six new venues, with longer routes will be available alongside the original 40km rides.
“Having the option of the longer routes at all of the venues, and encouraging younger females to take part really means there is something for everyone in 2012," enthused Cycletta ambassador Victoria Pendleton MBE. "It would be great to see daughters accompanying their mum’s at the Cycletta rides and really challenging themselves to ride that extra distance.”
The new routes are:
- Bedfordshire – 40km and now a 60km option
- Wiltshire – 40km and now a 75km option
- Warwickshire – 40km and now a 60km option
- Cheshire – 40km and now a 55km option
- Brighton and New Forest stages also both feature 40km and 80km routes.
The organisers said: "Additional distances will ensure there is something for all levels of female cyclist. Cycletta riders now have the option to challenge themselves with longer distances or stick to a more leisurely ride.
Participate launched Cycletta 2012 in Richmond Park last month with riders from women’s teams including Mule Bar Girl, Look Mum No Hands and Wyndymilla (pictured right).
Left-to-right: Pan Pan Fan (Look Mum No Hands), Anna Glowinski (Mule Bar Girl), Wiesia Kuczaj (Mule Bar Girl), James Young (Fitness12 Retreats), Julie Grenshaw (Wyndymilla), Rose Kingscote (Tribe Sports), Helen Frame (Claud The Butler).
Macmillan Cancer Support is the official charity partner of Cycletta. All participants are encouraged to join ‘Team Macmillan’ to fundraise.
Last year BikeBiz interviewed the organisers behind Cycletta.
