ARE YOU A NEW OR LAPSED CYCLIST LOOKING TO BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE?
Thanks to funding from Ashford Borough Council, we are able to offer 50 free places for people to take part in a course of 5 small group guided cycling trips this year. The course will start with short trips in the Ashford area culminating in a longer ride through the stunning Kent Downs along the Pilgrims Way. Free bike hire can be provided if needed.
Full details and dates coming soon. If you would like to be considered, contact us using the link below:
WHY CYCLE?
“Not only can cycling save you money on your commutes, it can also improve your mental and physical health. The health benefits far outweigh the risks and it's easy to fit into the daily routine. If more people took it up, it could also help ward off the health crises facing the NHS.
It’s widely accepted that cycling is excellent exercise: it helps people meet the physical activity levels recommended by the NHS, and it’s good for mental health and well-being.
It also reduces the risk of life-threatening conditions that are costly to treat, such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity – the latter being a major health challenge putting enormous pressure on our health services.
Here is some recent evidence for the benefits:
Compared to commuting by car, cycling is associated with a lower chance of dying from cardiovascular disease (-24%) and cancer (-16%).
Increased walking and cycling in England could save 1,189 people from early deaths each year.
According to a study that followed 8,000 school children over a period of years, pupils who walk or cycle to school may have a healthier body weight than those who arrive by car.
Happily, cycling is easier to fit into the daily routine than most other forms of exercise because it doubles up as transport to and from school, shops, work etc., and it’s much cheaper and, potentially, more scenic, than going to the gym.”
Cycling UK