Want to get on your bike but don't want to cycle alone? Here's how to find likeminded cyclists, local routes and cycle events in your area
Watching Lizzie Armitstead and the other Olympic road racers may have inspired you to dust down your bike to burn some miles - but perhaps you don't fancy doing it on your own.
Road-race ace Lizzie Armitstead sprints to a silver medal
British Cycling and Sky have launched a social network – Social Cycling Groups - designed to help people connect with other cyclists in their communities.
Social Cycling Groups, which can be accessed for free via goskyride.com, gives people who might otherwise be cycling alone the chance to buddy up with other riders and join unlimited groups and cycle rides in their area. With dates, distances, durations and maps, you can choose the group and ride that is best for you.
You can also visit goskyride.com, the home of recreational cycling activities, to create your own Social Cycling Groups and rides of your own, adding your own routes or using British Cycling’s recommended tried and tested routes.
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British Cycling’s Director of Recreation and Partnerships, Stewart Kellett, says, 'Making cycling more sociable is a great step in helping ensure we fulfil our commitment to inspire all people across Britain to give cycling a try in this special Olympic year.
'People who participate in our Sky Rides across the country tell us that they enjoy the experience of cycling with others and would love to do it more regularly. That’s exactly why we’ve launched Social Cycling Groups – giving people the chance to get together and cycle for fun, at a place and time that suits them, and to hopefully form some great new friendships along the way.'
New figures released by British Cycling show that almost half of its near 50,000-strong members are not involved in club cycling. However, despite not wanting to ride competitively, many cyclists feel they would like to have someone else to ride with. That's why British Cycling and Sky have joined forces to help give every cyclist the experience of riding with others and forming new friendships.
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