TAVISTOCK Wheelers is playing a big part in the celebration of the opening of the Tour de Manche cycle route, which takes place in Tavistock on Saturday.

The Wheelers will have a marquee outside the Town Hall from 9am to 3pm and will centre its activities on trying to get more of the town 'onto a bike' and hopefully to use the recently opened sections of the cycle paths surrounding the town.

The marquee will host a 'turbo challenge', in which members of the public can see how far they can pedal in one minute on a static bike. There will be prizes for the best performances in all the age ranges, men and women. There will also be demonstrations from some of the Wheelers elite road racers — though the Wheelers are prohibited from the challenge!

Tavistock Wheelers have also organised a taster ride for women cyclists. The ride will be led by Elaine Sylvester of lovedartmoor.com, a qualified British Cycling women's Breeze leader. Breeze rides are part of a campaign by British Cycling to get one million more women riding a bike, this ride is part of Tavistock Wheelers contribution to that campaign. It will start from outside the Town Hall at 2pm and women riders of all abilities are invited. They will need a roadworthy bike and puncture repair kit, helmet, appropriate clothing, drink and snack.

The ride will take advantage of the traffic free cycle path between Tavistock and  Yelverton. It will be of a maximum two-hour duration and the pace to suit riders of all abilities.