Scottish bike shop Dales Cycles has announced it is looking for a female ambassador for 2015.
The scheme, which is the brainchild of managing director Debbie Houston, is sponsored by Liv and Specialized.
The role will require the chosen applicant to post a bi-weekly blog/social media updates, participate in charity rides, attend store events and ride their bike regularly.
In return, they will be given a bike - either road or mountain - for use in 2015, free servicing and fitting, new shoes, gloves, helmet, jacket, shorts and jersey. Applications with a CV and covering letter should be sent to debbie@dalescycles.com by the end of January 2015.
In addition, Dales Cycles will be hosting a women's Ride-Connect-Inspire event at their Glasgow store in March featuring a cycle, yoga class and bike-themed talk.
Scotland has no dearth of inspiring women cyclists with the likes of Katie Archibald, the reigning world and double European gold medallist, and Eileen Roe, the 2014 British National Circuit Race champion who is newly signed to top UCI team Wiggle-Honda, currently blazing a trail. To that end, Scottish Cycling has recently seen a 184% growth in female race licence holders and an 83% increase in the number of women taking part in organised events.
For those keen to try their hand - or legs - at an organised event, British Cycling's series of Breeze bike rides for women will be holding events across Scotland in the coming months. For a list of those near you, visit scottishcycling.org.uk
Macmillan Cycletta, the UK's leading women-only cycle series, is set to return to Scotland in the summer of 2015. The event, held in the grounds of Scone Palace, Perthshire, has run the past two years and offers a choice of distances starting from 20km (12 miles). Visit humanrace.co.uk
Following on from success in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling and the Scottish Borders, the brilliant Belles on Bikes is set to expand into Aberdeenshire, Perth, Fife and Clackmannanshire in 2015. The cycling group for women offers bike rides, maintenance classes and a means to enjoy cafe stops/cake in excellent company. Visit ctc.org.uk/project/belles-on-bikes for more details.
Hervelo Cycling Club in Edinburgh boasts 90% female membership and organises group rides for Mudhoneys (those who like getting dirty on mountain bikes); Skinnies (for thinner tyre road bike enthusiasts); leisure rides (ideal for building confidence/newbie commuters) and Rusties (for those who looking to return to cycling or get started for the first time). Visit hervelo.co.uk
Do you have a women's cycling group or event? Email me at susan.swarbrick@heraldandtimes.co.uk
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