Summer may not have thrown up the best of weather conditions so far for outdoor pursuits, but a new cycling initiative hopes to get residents off the sofa and into the saddle over the next month.

A series of free guided bike rides started this week around High Wycombe, as part of the Bucks ‘Love to Ride’ summer of cycling.

The free rides will take place every Tuesday afternoon from West Wycombe and are for adults who want to start cycling again, improve their fitness and confidence and find some cycling friends.

Each ride will last between one and two hours and cover up to 15 miles depending on the ability of the group on the day - no riders will be left behind.

Rides will be led by an experienced ride leader and qualified Bikeability instructor who will provide useful instruction and riding tips along the way - whether it's busy road junctions, roundabouts or just modern traffic, some basic knowledge goes a long way.

The rides will give participants the confidence boost they need to go cycling with their friends and family while learning some new routes and enjoying the beautiful, quiet lanes around West Wycombe.

Sara Randle, Senior Development Officer for Cycle Chilterns said: "Health Rides for beginners have taken place in the Chilterns this year and participants are often people who haven’t ridden for decades and are put off by the increase in traffic over that time, or riders who don’t yet feel they have the fitness and ability to join a local cycling group.

“This kind of ride is always fun and friendly and is a great stepping stone to taking up regular cycling. It’s great that these rides are now being offered in the Wycombe area as part of a wider cycling plan in Buckinghamshire.”

The rides will run until the end of September and are free.

Each group is limited to eight places so pre-booking is required, email Dave at allroundcycling@gmail.com to book a place. Participants need to be over 16 years of age.

More information is available on the LEAP website http://www.leapwithus.org.uk/cycling which also contains useful cycling information and more cycling activities throughout the summer for children and adults of all abilities.

Rides are being run as part of the Bucks Public Health and Bucks County Council "LovetoRide" summer of cycling activities, supported by Wycombe District Council.