\n Cynthia Ashford, from Shaftesbury, was inspired to take up the activity thanks to Dorset Council\u2019s adult cycle training scheme.\n<\/p>\n
\n She used the council\u2019s voucher scheme to purchase discounted cycle lessons, allowing her to ride again for the first time in decades.\n<\/p>\n
\n Ms Ashford said: “I hadn\u2019t ridden a bike since I was seven so taking that big step to learn to cycle again at 80 was, I must admit, daunting.\n<\/p>\n
\n “But I\u2019m so pleased I went out of my comfort zone as the training has really improved my confidence, and cycling is so much fun.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Ms Ashford signed up for the training when she saw the Dorset Cycle Training Voucher scheme promoted online.\n<\/p>\n
\n Her husband, Martin, already enjoyed cycling and she saw the training as an opportunity to join in.\n<\/p>\n
\n Although still not confident enough to cycle on roads or tackle the surrounding hills, she regularly cycles on the North Dorset Trailway and thoroughly enjoys it.\n<\/p>\n
\n She said: “It\u2019s so good for me and if I can cycle after such a long break, anyone can.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I would not be able to do this without the training and the amazing support and encouragement I received from my trainer Dilys \u2013 who was patient, kind and inspired confidence.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I\u2019m a firm believer we should continue to learn and try new things throughout our lives.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Dorset Council\u2019s cycle training sessions can give people the confidence they need to get back on the saddle.\n<\/p>\n
\n Councillor Jon Andrews, the council\u2019s cabinet member for place services, said: “Stories like Cynthia\u2019s are inspirational and prove you are never too old to ride a bike.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Cycling offers so many benefits. It\u2019s great for our health, well being and can save time, money and reduce stress.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Dorset Council has teamed up with local cycling trainers and offer vouchers so people can access tuition at a reduced rate.\n<\/p>\n
\n These classes have a maximum of three people to an instructor and to qualify for a Dorset Cycle Training Voucher participants must be aged over 18 and live in the Dorset Council area.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Cynthia Ashford, from Shaftesbury, was inspired to take up the activity thanks to Dorset Council\u2019s adult cycle training…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":586616,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4104],"tags":[4230,79,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-586615","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling","8":"tag-cycling","9":"tag-sports","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115592972422180596","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/586615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=586615"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/586615\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/586616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=586615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=586615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=586615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}