A FREE one-day cycling festival in Abingdon promises to get scores of new riders in the saddle.

Visitors to the Spring Cycle Festival on Sunday April 21, can try out a range of bikes, go on bike rides, and visit a bike ‘doctor’.

About 500 people are expected at the Market Square event, now in its fourth year, organised by Abingdon Freewheeling cycling club.

Organiser David McLennan, 34, a researcher at Oxford University, said: “We are just trying to put on a community event to encourage people to get out on their bikes.

“We are trying to get anyone involved who hasn’t been on their bike in a while, people with shopping baskets on their bikes and people with children.”

The Abingdon Freewheelers has around 200 members who usually go on cycle rides for 10 to 20 miles, and the club can supply bikes.

Freewheeler Peter Burgess, 47, a graphic designer, said: “It is going to big this year, and it is going to be a little more special.

“We have got high-profile cycling clubs like Oxford’s Zappi’s Cycle Club and Didcot Phoenix Cycle Club.”

Abingdon cycle shop Behind Bars will be running a stall and letting people try out different bikes free.

There will also be two live bands, food and real ale to sustain cyclists and their friends.