WELSH Cycling has announced that Breeze, the award winning women’s participation programme, is coming to Wales this autumn.

With women’s cycling in Wales on a high following the success of Becky James, Elinor Barker and Manon Carpenter, Welsh Cycling want to get more women on bikes.

Georgina Harper, the national development manager for Welsh Cycling said: “It is an exciting time for cycling in Wales and we are pleased to be able to offer a participation pathway in Wales for women who simply want to ride their bike in the company of other women and led by female ride leaders.”

Breeze offers women flexible, safe, accessible and fun opportunities to ride a bike as well as training and support.

The rides are organised by British Cycling-trained local Breeze champions; female volunteers who lead the cycle rides, and aim to fit around busy work and family lives. They are free, friendly and open to women of all ages and abilities.

Funded in partnership by Sport Wales and British Cycling it will be run as a pilot in year one within Swansea, Cardiff, Newport and Monmouthshire and then subject to further funding will roll out nationally across Wales from autumn 2015.

Sport Wales CEO, Sarah Powell said: “We’re pleased that with British Cycling the Breeze programme will be extending into Wales.

"Shrinking the participation gap in sport between men and women is central to Sport Wales strategy and the opportunity to invest in programmes such as this will help us achieve this outcome."

As part of the pilot, 60 Welsh Breeze champions will undergo training and receive support from the Breeze network.

The first Breeze Champion training course in Wales will be held on Saturday, October 11, at Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff, with the first Breeze bike rides rolling out shortly after.

For more information regarding Breeze in Wales contact Cat Crimmins, Breeze co-ordinator on 01633 274691 or email breeze@welshcycling.co.uk