Women in Sudbury are being encouraged to embrace Suffolk’s ‘year of cycling’ and get on their bikes for a charity cycle ride.

South Suffolk Leisure is organising Women on Wheels (WOW) Sudbury, an event that will take place in September in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care.

With both the Men’s Tour Of Britain and the Women’s Tour set to return to the county this year, it is the ideal time to get involved with the sport - and boost the charity’s coffers at the same time.

Registration for the ride on Sunday, September 20 is now open and participants can choose to sign up for a route of five, 20 or 50 miles through countryside and cycle paths around Sudbury and its surrounding villages.

Starting from AFC Sudbury, the event will be fully marshalled and signed and is open to women and girls aged eight and over.

Tracey Loynds, chief executive of South Suffolk Leisure, said: “WOW is a great excuse to spend some time with the girls while raising money for a great local cause.

“Whether you are a mum, daughter, sister, friend, aunt or gran, the WOW Sudbury cycle is the reason that you should dust the cobwebs from your bikes, pump up the tyres and get cycling. It is a social ride that is suitable for everyone, whether you ride twice a year or every day.”

The event follows on from the success of WOW Bury, which took place for the first time last year and will once again this July. It is being organised in partnership with Cycle Club Sudbury, Cycle Suffolk, St Nicholas Hospice and Abbeycroft Leisure.

Jordan Hughes, St Nicholas Hospice Care community fundraiser, said: “We were delighted to be involved in the first Women on Wheels event so we are very pleased it is returning this year with an additional event in Sudbury. In addition to promoting sport in our community, it will support a worthy cause.”

To register for the WOW Ride, which costs £15, visit www.stnicholashospice.org.uk/wowsudbury