Rob Derry, of Swindon BUG (Bicycle Users Group) Steering Committee, says: 

WITH the bank holiday approaching, we’re almost guaranteed to have a weekend of rubbish weather and congested roads leading to busy tourist attractions which we can all complain about (after all that’s what we British do best, isn’t it?).

Why do we put ourselves through the travel nightmare when there are so many things to do and enjoy right on our doorsteps?

The vast majority of these things can be reached on a bike using the network of paths and quiet roads in and around Swindon.

So, not only are you enjoying a great day out, you’re getting some exercise, you’re saving money on the fuel you would need to put in your car and you’re travelling in an environmentally-friendly and enjoyable way.

So, why not get your bikes out this weekend and visit some of the attractions you normally drive past?

If you would like to tell us all about your bank holiday weekend bike ride on our Facebook page (search for Swindon BUG or click here www.facebook.com/pages/Swindon-BUG/1583148758589992) we have a small cycling-related prize to give away for the best story, as judged by the Swindon BUG committee.

If you haven’t ridden a bike in a long time or if something happened on your bike ride that was amusing or you would like to share anything about your bike ride for any reason, simply post an account of it on our Facebook page before 9pm on Tuesday, May 26, and you’ll be entered in to the competition.

If you haven’t ridden your bike in a long time, just give it a few quick checks to make sure that everything is in working order before you set off.

TheYou only thing you have to decide now is where you are going to go...