HAMPSHIRE County Council has teamed up with Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Dani King to encourage women of all ages and abilities to get on their bikes for fun and fitness.

The authority has strong bonds with British Cycling through Sport Hampshire and Isle of Wight and is supporting its ‘Breeze’ programme to inspire women to become cycling leaders in their communities, and encourage other women to cycle in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.

Female ‘Breeze’ leaders met on July 1 and cycled with Dani, who won gold at the London Olympics in 2012 in the team pursuit alongside Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell, to share their enthusiasm for inspiring women to get on their bikes for both enjoyment and exercise.

The group cycled from Farnborough Grange Infant Community School to Farnborough Business Park to speak to businesses about how staff can get active and boost their well-being with initiatives such as the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Workplace Challenge.

As a teenager, Dani received support from the county council’s Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme, which helps aspiring young athletes reach their sporting potential, through funding, access to training, sports science and physiotherapy. She also frequently trained at the velodrome at the county council’s Calshot Activities Centre.

Andrew Gibson, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for culture, recreation and countryside, said: “Today’s event highlights how much positive, collaborative work is taking place by the county council and its partners in Hampshire to inspire everyone to participate and enjoy sport, on whatever level, and regardless of age or fitness – and how it boosts physical and mental well-being.

“Breeze is a brilliant programme, empowering women to lead others to cycle. Some 1,435 ladies took part in 372 women-only cycle rides across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight last year, and it would be great if this figure can keep growing.

“We are particularly pleased to have Dani supporting this initiative locally. She has played a significant role in helping to spread the word about the importance of sport, in terms of health and well-being for all, and she is an inspiration to future sporting generations.”

Dani, who was born in Hamble, said: “I’m delighted to be joining a local group of our volunteer Breeze champions in Hampshire. They’re the ones who really make it happen, inspiring a huge number of women across the county to get on their bikes with a whole range of fun, social, local bike rides attracting a wide variety of women.

I’d encourage all women thinking of getting back on their bikes, looking for like-minded women to cycle with, or wanting to find new cycle routes, to get involved with Breeze and give it a go.”