ILKLEY Cycling Club is holding a meeting next week to help get more local women out riding their bikes.

Katherine Rigby-Jones, Ilkley Cycling Club's Women's Officer 2017 is hosting the ICC women's cycling meeting on Wednesday, March 15 at 8pm in the upstairs function room at The Yard, in Ilkley.

Katherine said: "At Ilkley Cycling club we really want to get more women cycling and racing with the club. We have a large number of women club members but this is not, as yet, represented on the club rides and in racing. We already have a well established Monday morning women's ride but we'd like to help grow more ride options for women, from beginners rides, to training rides for those who are interested in, or already are racing, as well as intermediate options for improvers.

"It would be great to get more women to join the main club rides too, through building confidence in group riding skills and their general ability. Women often seem to underestimate their cycling abilities and we'd love to help them realise their potential and just enjoy riding their bikes with other people. As well as this we'd really like to be able to develop a women's race team too...you can do it!!

"There is much to discuss and to organise to achieve a strong women's cycling community within Ilkley Cycling Club encompassing all ages, abilities and cycling disciplines.

"Everyone is welcome, whether you already ride with ICC or not and regardless of your experience or perceived ability on a bike. If you have any interest in helping to grow our women's cycling community, if you have any ideas or would just like to learn more please come along, whoever you are!

"The more people we can get to the meeting, the better we can understand the needs of our women cyclists and the more people we can engage with to help meet these needs.

"We look forward to seeing as many people as possible on the 15th March."