LEEDS University Union Cycling club saw the biggest number of female riders on their first road bike outing of the year on Wednesday afternoon last week.

It comes after the ongoing launch of ‘Uni Girls Can’, a Leeds University-based initiative of ‘This Girl Can’- a national campaign started by Sport England which aims to encourage more females to engage in physical activity and lessen the ever-widening gender gap in sports participation.

The ride saw a total number of 11 girls don lycra and helmets in what was the most successful girls-only ride the club has seen in recent years.

The 28-mile route started off at Headingley and passed through Weardley Bank, Weeton, Castley, Poole and Otley followed by a progressively steep incline at West Chevin which the girls seemed unfazed by. The route then followed through West Carlton and Bramhope before meeting back at Headingley in milkshake bar ‘Shake It’, the club’s sponsor for a post-ride re-fuel.

Ride organiser and leader Joanna Rycroft said, “It was the most girls the cycling club have had out on a ride in the three years that I’ve been in Leeds! Everyone seemed to really enjoy it and there will be weekly rides from now on so would be great to see more girls getting involved.”

Women-only rides will take place throughout the year at 2.30pm every Wednesday and will set off from the Original Oak pub in Headingley.

Fiona Tomas

Featured image: Fiona Tomas