Women Get On Their Bikes

11 September 2011, 11:27 | Updated: 11 September 2011, 11:40

Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton's among hundreds of women who've been taking part in a new women-only cycle event.

The 30 year old, who's from Stotfold, Bedfordshire, (pictured right) was among those who got on their bikes for the first Cycletta on Sunday 11 September 2011, which started and ended at Whipsnade Zoo.

The 40km cycle ride took riders through the Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire countryside.

Victoria is a driving force behind the event and encouraged all ladies to take to the saddle and join in as a way to keep fit and enjoy her favourite sport.

"Through Cycletta I want to inspire women to join me and cycle – as a hobby, a sport, a way to get fit and healthy or a way to escape. Whatever your reasoning, cycling can improve your life and Cycletta events will bring women of all abilities together to take on their own cycling challenge,” she said.

Olympic badminton silver medallist Gail Emms, who lives in Milton Keynes, also took part in the event.

Gail, who has recently given birth to her first son, encouraged ladies to sign up, saying: "Having been a former Olympic Athlete in a different sport, I can't encourage the joy and benefits of cycling enough especially for women who have recently given birth."