Fresh from his triumphant win at the Tour de Normandie in March, professional cyclist Tom Stewart from JLT Condor has confirmed his attendance at the first Grimsby community Ride with the Pros event of 2018.

Tom will be joined by his JLT Condor teammate Graham Briggs as the pair cycle alongside members of the public at the free Ride with the Pros session on Saturday 2^nd June.

The event is hosted by HMT St Hugh’s in Grimsby as part of the hospital’s health promotions programme. The not-for-profit healthcare facility on Peaks Lane, which also acts as the start and finishing point for the ride, will provide refreshments for everyone who attends, so that riders can enjoy a cup of tea and cake when they return.

The three 53km rides and the shorter 30km routes, organised by Dave Evans from NEL Lindsey Go-Ride, will take cyclists through neighbouring villages including Waltham and East Ravendale, Swinhope, Ludborough and Tetney.

Despite the event being attended by professional cyclists, Gary Allington, Health Promotion Officer at HMT St Hugh’s Hospital, wants to reassure the local community that the event is open to everyone.

He said: “The Ride with the Pros event is an opportunity for people with different levels of cycling experience to come along and enjoy a ride out.

“It’s really informal and once you get chatting you soon clock up the miles. The event isn’t designed to make anyone feel inferior or out of place.

“We’ve run these events for the last couple of years and have welcomed seasoned cyclists and those looking to build up their experience on the roads.”

Each group will be accompanied by experienced local riders from Lindsey Roads Cycling Club, who will keep everyone on the route. They will also ensure groups stay together and ride safely along on the roads.

Gary said: “It’ll be nice to welcome back Tom and Graham, as they both joined us for a couple of community rides in 2017. I’m sure the local cycling community will be signing up to attend, but we’re keen to accommodate people who are just starting out too.

“Events like this provide an opportunity for people to take part in their first group rides, improve their skills or push themselves to cover a longer distance while being encouraged by professional athletes.”

Building on the success of last year’s Ride with the Pros, the health promotions team is adding a five-mile ride, which will begin at 10am, for people who are getting back on their bike for the first time in a while.

Gary said: “We’re keen to open these events up to people who might find the longer distances daunting at this stage. But by offering the shorter ‘starter’ ride we hope to encourage people back on their bikes and out into the fresh air for a short ride.

“Joining us for this ride requires minimal preparation; grab your bike, pump up the tyres and check your brakes. We only ask that you wear suitable warm clothing and have a cycle helmet on, for your own safety.”

While the majority of cyclists will be out on the roads, Dave Evans from NEL Lindsey Go-Ride will be hosting a session for younger riders on the hospital’s lawns and within a cordoned off section of the car park.

NEL Lindsey Go-Ride, the younger rider section of the Lindsey Roads Cycling Club, is a session-based training programme which helps children improve their cycling skills and boosts their confidence.

To book your place on this event please sign up via the website www.hmtsthughs.org/ride-with-the-pros 

For more information about the Ride with the Pros 2018 sessions or to get involved in the activities supported by HMT St Hugh’s please visit the website www.hmtsthughs.org/community and look out for future events on Facebook and Twitter.