A NEW series of cycle rides is to begin aimed at helping women build confidence on bikes.

Vicky Mathwin, who chairs the all-female Queensbury Queens of the Mountain Group, will lead the six rides, which begin tomorrow.

And even those who don’t have bikes, but would like to take part, are being invited to sign up as bikes may be able available for loan.

Vicky, 33, said women can often struggle with confidence on the roads and that’s something she wants to change.

She has trained as a ‘Breeze Champion’, in an initiative set up by British Cycling to offer free bike rides for women of all abilities across the UK.

There’s now more than 2,000 trained champions organising and leading rides and the programme is the cornerstone of its ambition to get one million more women on their bikes by 2020.

“It’s just about trying to encourage people,” she said. “We live in a pretty hilly area, but that should not stop people.

“Our beginners often come along thinking they will never get up any of the hills - within a couple of weeks or months they are getting out there.

“It’s trying to encourage people who are a bit frightened.”

The Queens of the Mountain group aims to support cycling at all levels.

The impetus for setting up the club came after Vicky met a few other like-minded women cyclists at a family fun cycling event in May 2016.

Soon after, she decided to see if there were any ladies who were interested in a weekly Sunday social ride out, and set up a Facebook page which attracted plenty of attention.

Since then, the group has grown from strength to strength.

But Vicky says there needs to be more women’s cycling.

“For women to get into riding they need to be able to see themselves in the sport and and I don’t think we are there yet,” she said.

“We are quite passionate about driving for parity.”

The group now boasts more than 100 members, with ages ranging from 19 to 70.

“They are so supportive of each other,” Vicky said. “The biggest step is turning up to the first ride.”

It’s an exciting time for cycling in Queensbury.

Not only was it included in last year’s Tour de Yorkshire route, but a campaign group’s plan to transform a disused railway tunnel in the village into an attraction for cyclists and walkers is building momentum.

Bradford-born Liberal Democrat Peer Tony Greaves threw his weight behind the plans earlier this month and said: “I am very impressed with the commitment and professionalism of the Queensbury Tunnel Society and will do what I can to help their campaign.”

Vicky said of the plans: “It would absolutely brilliant. From a commuter perspective, it would be fantastic.”

The first ride will be held tomorrow from 10am. It will begin at Thornton Primary School and will then head down the Great Northern trail, focusing on basic riding skills.

The initial sessions will be aimed at building confidence on bikes and then on roads as the weeks progress.

They are suitable for beginners.Visit www.letsride.co.uk/rides for more information.