Why not carry on?

Faced with the ambitious target of getting more communities more active, more often, the Sports Council for Wales has again this year lent its support to the annual British Heart Foundation Hearts First Bike Rides by urging people to capitalise on the opportunity to join in the battle to fight heart disease and to help transform the population into a fitter, more active nation.

And as the summer opens its doors to a new season, the vast and verdant terrains of Wales ntertwined with its stretches of sandy, sheltered bays is set to stage 2 mass participation cycling events.

The Swansea and Rhyl rides are set to draw people from all across Wales to demonstrate that you don’t have to be a medal winner, or even a seasoned cyclist, to have a fantastic day out on your bike.

And neither should these cycling experience's be seen as a ‘one-day only’ opportunity. Huw Jones, Chief Executive of the Sports Council for Wales explains why:

"The British Heart Foundation’s Gower Bike Ride will provide a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to dust off their bikes and get back into the habit of cycling.

"It is imperative that people of all ages see the benefits of participating in sport and physical activity for thirty minutes, five times a week and not only in light of a major participation event.

"The Sports Council for Wales has a commitment to respond to this challenge by expanding the ways in which more people can participate in physical activity.

"It’s not simply about nurturing and supporting clubs for specific types of people, but recognising that one club or community session can provide the platform to providing further opportunities for parents, families, teenagers and older people to get active - whether it be through schools, the community, the workplace, sports centres or local authority groups."