A CYCLING club based in Bradford has seen a remarkable growth after forming less than one year ago.

The Bradford Cycle Club, which was formed in November 2015, has a Facebook group of more than 270 members, who meet regularly for rides around the city and the surrounding countryside.

It aims to break down community barriers and get people from different backgrounds coming together to form friendships and to promote a healthy lifestyle through cycling.

Bradford Cycle Club is open to cyclists of all abilities, both experienced or complete novices, from all walks of life.

It also has links with Bradford Bulls rugby league club, after forming a partnership with the Bulls Foundation - the club’s official charity - in April this year.

Bradford Cycle Club’s official jerseys bear the famous black, white, red and yellow of the Bulls, and the club uses the facilities at the Provident Stadium at Odsal as part of the link.

The club recently joined up with national cycling club Brothers on Bikes for a ride around some of the best cycling roads in the district.

The group departed from the Pavilion Café in City Park before heading out on a route which took in sections of the Tour de France Grand Depart and Tour de Yorkshire.

More than 70 riders took part, from a range of backgrounds, united by a passion for cycling and a healthy lifestyle.

Taras Stefanyszyn, one of the club’s organisers, said the ride was “absolutely brilliant”. He said: “We had people who had come from all over the country for the ride, including as far as London, Birmingham and Burnley.

“I think there was 72 riders in total, and we took them on a tour of Yorkshire’s flatlands.

“They all said they loved the ride, quite a few were getting tired halfway in though. Let’s just say some of them aren’t used to hills!

“But they said the scenery was stunning, especially the Cow and Calf at Ilkley.

“Many of the riders stayed overnight in Bradford, and invited us for a meal at a mosque which was fantastic.”

Mr Stefanyszyn also encouraged the people of Bradford to get involved with the club.

“We started with about five people and now we have grown to a group of more than 300 riders,” he said.

“We have activities for all abilities, including spin sessions and our weekly rides.

“It doesn’t matter what level riders are at, they just need have a look on Facebook at what’s coming up and get in touch.

“We have no membership fee, everything is free, it’s just about having fun and keeping fit.”

The group is also having a curry night at the Pavilion Café at 7pm on Saturday, October 22, with tickets available on the group’s Facebook page and at eventbrite.co.uk.

Brothers on Bikes, which joined the Bradford Cycle Club for the ride, is a national club aimed at bringing men together through cycling, by offering a friendly approach to the sport and letting the members be in control of the club.

It holds weekly rides up and down the country, and was named the best community project by the London Cycling Campaign earlier this year.

Abu Thamim Choudhury, captain of Brothers on Bikes, said the ride and company in Bradford was the “best all round experience the group has had”, and members are already looking forward to returning to the city for another ride.

Bradford Cycle Club uses the Pavilion Café in City Park as its regular meeting place, with rides setting off from there every Saturday at 9am, Sundays at 8am and Wednesdays at 6pm. There is also traffic-free training for more inexperienced riders at Odsal Stadium on Tuesdays at 6pm.

Visit the Bradford Cycle Club Facebook page, visit bradfordcc.org, or contact organiser Taras Stefanyszyn on 07940 290314.