IT is the UK’s only cycling series especially for women and this year it will return to the New Forest.

Olympian Victoria Pendleton is once again backing the Macmillan Cycletta series and hopes to spread the pedal power to Hampshire while raising vital funds for the event’s official charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support.

Organisers are urging women to put the date in the diary now for this year’s event which has the addition of a new 100k route.

Macmillan Cycletta New Forest is one of six locations announced for the 2014 series and is open to women of all ages and abilities.

Victoria, the nine-times world champion who has now retired from the velodrome after adding to the gold she won in Beijing with another gold and silver in London, said: “It has been such a pleasure to be involved with Macmillan Cycletta so far.

“I’m proud to have been a part of it since the very beginning and am delighted to see more and more women continue to take up cycling.

“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 the Macmillan Cycletta Series of events will bring women together of all abilities to take on their own cycling challenge.”

Last year was the most successful year of the series as more than 800 women and girls took part in the second New Forest event.

This year’s event takes place on Sunday, September 21 at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.

Macmillan Cycletta New Forest, which is open to girls 12 upwards when accompanied by an adult, has different distances including a 20km for beginners, the classic 40km, the challenge distance of 70km for more experienced riders as well as the new 100km route. There will also be a children’s Scootathlon, which is a mini triathlon for children aged between the ages of four and eight where they scoot 150m, bike 600m and run 200m.

Women taking part will be able to indulge in treat stops along the route, get goodie-bags and enjoy a complimentary spa experience thanks to Unlisted after the events.

Liz Hemming, cycling programme manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, added: “Macmillan Cycletta is a great way for female cyclists nationwide to raise money to help people affected by cancer through taking on a cycling challenge.”