A CYCLING organisation which is hoping to get more people out on Romsey’s roads has been given a helping hand by a veteran cyclist.

Cycling UK is working in the area to get more beginners interested in taking up cycling in Test Valley and hopes that people can set up clubs in the Romsey area.

Meanwhile Viv MacKay, who set up Hares and Tortoises Romsey cycling club hopes she can spur others on to getting into more cycling.

Now her group, which is part of South Hampshire Cyclists Touring Club (CTC), hopes to see more advanced cyclists getting involved.

Viv is now working side-by-side with Susan Keywood, Hampshire cycling development officer for Cycling UK, to get more people out on two wheels and getting fitter and more active.

Susan wants people to come forward to set up cycling clubs in the town and surrounding areas and get more people on the road.

She said: “What I’m doing is encouraging those who haven’t cycled in a long while to get back on their bikes, build up their confidence and show them that they can get out there again.

“We want to show to people who think they are bad on their bikes that they feel that they can take this one step further.”

Veteran cyclist Viv MacKay who has never let a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2010 stop her from doing what she loves – cycling.

At first she found it upsetting going out on the same routes she used to cycle on her old bike. But now she focuses not on what she can’t do, but on what she can.

She was never a fast cyclist – this was the reason she and a friend set up Hares and Tortoises for easy rides on the first and third Saturday of each month.

Now she hopes that others who take up cycling will join her eventually.

She describes Susan’s work as “bums on bikes” while her work as “bums on bikes plus”.

She said “It’s good for them. It’s good for the club too, it brings more people in.”

“There are some people who haven’t been cycling for a while but they might find that they go faster than they thought they would do.

“It’s a virtuous cycle, people get used to cycling eight to 10 miles, they go faster, they cycle further, they get healthier.”

Anyone interested in setting up their cycling groups should contact Susan Keywood on 07717 696672 or email susan.keywood@CyclingUK.org.

To find out more about Hares and Tortoises call Viv on 01794 368207 or email romsey@south hampshirectc.org.uk.