DOZENS of cyclists turned out yesterday for the Otley Cycle Fest 2015, which featured rides of up to 80 miles.

Rides took place throughout the day, as part of a bid to encourage new people to cycling.

But children were disappointed after their cycling training sessions had to be cancelled because the coaches were unavailable.

Seven separate rides were held during the morning, starting out from Weston Lane Sports and Social Club in Otley, ranging from 20 miles to 80 miles in length, the latter trek taking in Kettlewell and the surrounding Yorkshire Dales.

There was also a ride especially for women, to the Bolton Abbey tearooms, to try and encourage them to get involved in the sport.

In the afternoon there was a barbecue, bar and traditional games, including croquet, quoits, dominoes and giant garden darts.

Otley Cycle Club committee member Jill Birch said it had been a good event.

She added: "It has been a lovely day. It was raining heavily in the morning, which might have put some people off, but when we set off on the rides the sun came out.

"We were due to have some children's coaching but unfortunately all our coaches are fully committed so we had to cancel that bit. That was unfortunate.

"It was not quite the event we were hoping it would be, but we still had about 100 cyclists riding, including a number of people in the ladies ride.

"A lot of women feel intimidated about joining a cycling club, but there is an initiative to encourage them to take it up.

"We have got a number of new members to the club today. We want to encourage people to be confident in going out for a bike ride."