A SWINDON cyclist is helping the town's romantics to get back in the saddle with the launch of the UK’s first bike-based dating website.

Be-spoke dating service Ride2Love is the brainchild of ex-boxer and welder Kelli Salone, from Hannington. Bike enthusiast Kelli, who runs the Dame Cycling Road Club, has taken her first foray into the online dating world with the launch of the site this week.

The entrepreneur said she noticed a gap in the market after speaking with single biking buddies interested in combining their two passions.

“I was going on bike rides and meeting women who mentioned the lack of single men who were as interested in cycling as they were and that they didn’t have time to date. Then I was speaking to male friends who said it was difficult to meet women who were interested in cycling. Something clicked and I decided to give it a go,” she said.

For those 'tyred' of a conventional dating service, Ride2Love matches budding bikers based on cycle preferences.

“For example if someone is interested in roadbikes and wants to try out dirt biking the site will match them to someone else with the same interests. It’s the only site in the UK that will take that into account, it’s something different and it’s fun,” Kelli said.

“Love is a journey, so why can’t you take it on a bike?”

The 45-year-old, who is no stranger to adventure herself having competed in downhill mountain bike racing, said online dating showed a transition in the ways people found love.

“Some people may spend all their time biking and not have time for romance, some people may be older, enjoy biking and want someone to cycle with, and not realise they can do this online. Ride2Love is a perfect way to combine the two and make friends at the same time," she said.

“I’m hoping to see lots of dates and hopefully lots of new friendships from the website.”

The mother-of-two said a cycle ride is the perfect first date.

“Cycling can really break the ice, you’ll never get bored talking about bikes. You’re meeting someone who has the same common interests as you, you get to keep fit together and you can enjoy a really nice cycle ride together.”

And the quest to find the perfect pedal partner means the site has been inundated with members, with 500 budding bikers signing up since Ride2Love went live.

“The response has been really positive, I’d love to get 1500 members and see the site take off from there,” Kelli said

“Cyclists are fit, fun-loving people. They come in all shapes and sizes and they are fun to be around. My advice is join up and see what it is all about.”

Ride2Love is free to join until May. Visit ride2love.dating