A SERIES of cycling events have been organised in west Oxfordshire, designed to get people fit for the summer.

Campaign GO Cycling has been organised by Get Oxfordshire Active — a £1.4m project aiming to get over-16s across the county doing at least 30 minutes of exercise three times a week.

The initiative, supported by West Oxfordshire District Council, will feature a monthly series of five to 10-mile cycle rides, led by coaches from Witney Mountain Bike Club. Drop-in sessions will run before each ride, from 10am, offering free bike safety checks and advice.

Starting at noon, the two-hour rides are open to anyone over 16, from beginners to keen cyclists, and cost £1. The next is on July 26 at Witney Artificial Turf Pitch, off Station Lane, Witney.

Sarah Sandford, West Oxfordshire’s GO Active co-ordinator, said: “Summer is an ideal time to make the most of the outdoors and cycling is a great way to do this. After each of the rides, there will be a short flexibility session followed by refreshments and an opportunity to chat.

“We hope this will inspire people to get together and go out cycling together in the future. We have maps of local cycling routes that could help, and will be happy to provide advice and information to anyone interested in setting up a cycling group.”