QUALIFIED British Cycling leaders will be hosting a series of guided bike rides in the coming weeks for people inspired by the Tour de France.

The three-week programme of free rides take in coasts and urban paths to woodland trails in the East Cleveland area.

The first ride is today (Friday, October 2) at the Stray Cafe, in Redcar, at 10am, with another outside Saltburn Leisure Centre on Friday, October 9. The final ride is on Friday, October 16 at Guisborough Forest.

The cycling leaders will also be on hand to offer training and bike maintenance tips to keep bikes in top condition over the years to come.

Cllr Carl Quartermain, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Leisure, at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “This is a great way of getting more people out on their bikes.

“With experienced cycle leaders on hand to offer some words of wisdom, cyclists will pick up some tips that could prove to be valuable in the future so I urge everyone to sign up and come down.”

Anyone wanting to join must have a bike, either a hybrid or mountain bike in good condition, and a helmet.

Bikes will be available to loan for free for the rides on a first-come,first-served basis.

For more information on the guided rides, contact Stephen Mussett on (01642) 837766.