A series of guided cycle rides will be held in and around Devon’s cycle hub towns throughout this summer.

The leisure rides, organised by Devon County Council, will be held in all five hub towns through July and August.

The first two events start on Saturday 17 July from 3pm to 5pm, with routes taking in 13 miles of the Tarka Trail in Barnstaple, after starting at Barnstaple Railway Station, and another covering eight miles around Newton Abbot, setting off from the entrance to Decoy Park.

On Wednesday 21 July from 6pm to 8pm, there will be rides from the Quay in Exeter, setting off from outside Saddles and Paddles, as well as on the Exe Estuary Trail, gathering at Exmouth Railway Station. The first guided ride in Tavistock will be held on Saturday 24 July from 3pm to 5pm, meeting in the car park outside the Meadowlands Leisure Pool.

All of the guided rides will be led by National Standard Qualified Instructors and will take around one and a half to two hours.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “These leisure rides are a good opportunity for people to enjoy a cycle in our five hub towns, whether they are keen cyclists, new to cycling or getting re-acquainted with their bike after leaving it in the shed for years. We saw how the recent cycle fun days in these towns attracted a range of people to have a go at cycling. The fact that these rides are with a group, led by guided instructors, can help those who may otherwise not be confident enough to tackle a cycle on their own, and hopefully it will encourage people to get out on their bikes more regularly.”

There is no need to book to join any of the rides, simply turn up at the designated meeting point at the specified time and date. The list of dates and times can be found on flyers which are available in local libraries, bike shops or online at www.cycledevon.info.

Bike hire is available, free of charge, but this must be booked in advance by calling 0845 155 1004 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The rides are part of Devon County Council’s campaign to promote leisure cycling. The County Council has been awarded a £2 million grant from Cycling England to see if leisure cycling encourages more people to cycle more often.

Full list of guided rides:

BARNSTAPLE -

To Braunton

1. Saturday 17th July 15:00 - 17:00
2. Wednesday 4th August 18:00 - 20:00
3. Saturday 21st August 15:00 - 17:00

To Instow

1. Saturday 24th July 15:00 - 17:00
2. Wednesday 11th August 18:00 - 20:00
3. Saturday 28th August 15:00 - 17:00

NEWTON ABBOT –

1. Saturday 17th July 15:00 - 17:00
2. Wednesday 28th July 18:00 - 20:00
3. Wednesday 4th August 18:00 - 20:00
4. Saturday 14th August 15:00 - 17:00
5. Saturday 21st August 15:00 - 17:00

EXE ESTUARY TRAILS -

1. Wednesday 21st July 18:00 - 20:00
2. Wednesday 28th July 18:00 - 20:00
3. Saturday 7th August 15:00 - 17:00
4. Saturday 14th August 15:00 - 17:00
5. Wednesday 25th August 18:00 - 20:00

EXETER -

1. Wednesday 21st July 18:00 - 20:00
2. Saturday 31st July 15:00 - 17:00
3. Saturday 7th August 15:00 - 17:00
4. Wednesday 18th August 18:00 - 20:00
5. Wednesday 25th August 18:00 - 20:00

TAVISTOCK –

1. Saturday 24th July 15:00 - 17:00
2. Saturday 31st July 15:00 - 17:00
3. Wednesday 11th August 18:00 - 20:00
4. Wednesday 18th August 18:00 - 20:00
5. Saturday 28th August 15:00 - 17:00

Devon County Council Press Releases, 12/07/2010