A WOMEN only bike ride is taking place around the outskirts of Darlington on Saturday with a stop-off for some chilly refreshments.

The ride will travel an 18-mile route starting from the Premier Inn/Beefeater Grill car park at Morton Park, Darlington, at 10am before taking in Middleton One Row, Aislaby, Eaglescliffe, Urlay Nook, Long Newton and back down into Middleton St George.

The ride, part of the national Sky Ride initiative, will include a stop-off at Archers Ice Cream Parlour, Yarm, for ice cream or a coffee.

It is expected to take three hours including the break time and anyone wishing to register to take part should visit goskyride.com and type Darlington in the search box, ensuring that the ‘women only’ option is ticked.