Ladies gear up for Cycletta challenge at Whipsnade Zoo

Our team will join more than a thousand women tackling the 40km route through the Bedfordshire countryside, starting and ending at Whipsnade Zoo.

The group include Pauline Maitai, 28, who taught her son how to cycle but had never set foot on a bicycle pedal herself until a month ago, and is now determined to complete the Cycletta challenge.

Pauline said: “Practice is going brilliantly. My son and I joined Skyride last week where families and friends were meeting for a fun filled bike ride in Milton Keynes. It was such fun riding on the roads and I had plenty of practice for the big one.”

Mother and daughter Sylvia Castleman, 58, and Jennifer Smith, 35, from Houghton Regis, recently took up cycling too and are keen to take part in a women only event.

Sylvia said: “Our aim is to finish the route no matter what way, even if we have to walk parts of it. We may not be fit enough but our personal challenge is to take part and be proud of what we achieve on that day so fingers crossed. There’s not long to go now and we are looking forward to it.”

Sarah Blackburn, Jenny Dean, Colette Marchant, Ottillie Morgan and Ruchita Sarvaiya are also taking part along with reporters Sally-Anne Stewart and Connie Primmer, and video reporter Natalee Hazelwood.

All participants will have plenty of support on the day, with mechanical teams ready to fix any punctures along the route, refreshment stands for when you need an extra burst of energy and even a Mr Motivator to get everyone geared up for the ride.

Spectators and supporters can buy discounted entry tickets online for Whipsnade Zoo, where the Cycletta Village will be set up with refreshment stalls, a massage studio, helmet hair remedy centre and nail bar for post-pedalling treats.

Everyone will get an official finishing time to see how well they have done and for the super speedy, there’s the chance to win fantastic prizes including Fitness First memberships, Cycletta jerseys and magazine subscriptions.

It’s not too late to sign up for Cycletta, just visit www.cycletta.com, where there’s lots of handy tips for everything cycling from what to wear to how to transport your bike to the event on the day.