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Breezing through winter with new cycle rides for women in Jersey

Women in Jersey are being encouraged to get on their bikes in a fun new female-only cycling group. The regular rides are part of the HSBC Breeze programme, which has now been launched in the island on the back of success in the UK.

The Jersey rides are currently every Saturday morning starting from the Radisson Blu hotel, but the scheme will be expanded to also include Wednesday evenings from the start of April.

“It was brilliant to see a dozen or so women turn up for our first one last weekend,” said Jersey Sport CEO Catriona McAllister, one of 11 recently-trained Breeze Champions in the island. “This is all about giving any woman, whatever their background, the opportunity to feel part of a group, to socialise, to make new friends and to keep fit at the same time.

“We’ll introduce main road riding gradually but will start with cycle paths, quiet roads and pick routes that are mainly flat. We never leave anyone behind.”

Breeze Champions are able to upload bespoke rides to a central online portal, from which islanders can find out about the routes, dates and timings before signing up for a space.

Women’s Cycling Project Manager, Faye Downey, from British Cycling added: “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our good friends in Jersey to our HSBC Breeze family, and thank everyone who’s been involved with the journey so far to get the network up and running.

“We set ourselves an ambitious target of influencing one million more women to cycle by 2020, and to enjoy the benefits that cycling can offer. HSBC Breeze is a perfect place to start – whether you’re looking to build confidence, improve your fitness or meet new people.”

Claire Lilley, Head of Communications for HSBC in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man said: “We’re delighted to see the HSBC Breeze programme expanded into Jersey. It’s a brilliant opportunity for women in the island who may have considered cycling as an activity but previously didn’t have anyone to cycle with. There are lots of keen cyclists in Jersey and the HSBC Breeze rides are another great way to get fit, socialise and explore our beautiful island.”

To sign up to join a Breeze ride in Jersey visit www.letsride.co.uk/breeze

Breeze Jersey also has a new Facebook page.