These rides are a great way to establish a weekly routine of exercise and offer the opportunity to get out and meet new people. Led by trained volunteer leaders, these fun and free cycle rides offer you the chance to ride with other like-minded people and feel the benefits that this fantastic exercise can offer.
Before you take part in a cycle ride
Make sure you complete the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ) beforehand and arrive 10 minutes before the start time of the ride:
Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ)
All new and returning participants are required to complete an annual Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ) before attending a health cycle ride.
Health cycle levels
Level 1 - Health ride
60 minute ride led at a gentle, leisurely pace on flat terrain (where available) with occasional stops for people who are less active or are less confident with cycling.
Level 2 - Active leisure ride
60 minute ride on mixed terrain, which has occasional hills. This leisurely ride is for people who are generally more active and confident on a bike.
Timetable
| Day | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
Tuesdays |
Ferndown Forest Golf Club, BH22 9PH (Meet outside the bar) |
10am to 11am |
| Wednesdays | Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, BH24 2ET (Meet outside bike hire) Please note normal car parking charges apply. |
10am to 11am |
Wednesdays (Fortnightly, see below for dates) |
The Palm House Cafe, Weymouth, DT4 7TZ |
10am to 11am
|
| Thursdays | Kingston Lacy House (National Trust), BH21 4EA | 10am to 11am |
Bike hire is not currently available at Ferndown or Weymouth.
Kingston Lacy rides will not take place in high winds or yellow weather warnings. Please note there is no ride at Kingston Lacy during Easter Holidays.
Bike hire
Subsidised bike hire is available at Moors Valley Country Park and Kingston Lacy. Please contact us to reserve a bike.
Get back in the saddle ride in Weymouth
Dorset Council's Health and Activity Team will be running free hour long rides in Weymouth.
If you feel you would like to try cycling again on a leisurely ride guided by a trained volunteer leader, then just come along, you don't have to book.
The rides start and finish at the Palm House Cafe, Weymouth from 10am to 11am, so there's always the option to have some social time afterwards too.
The ride will use the traffic free routes as much as possible and may include occasional slopes.
Dates for rides in 2025 are:
- Wednesday 2 April
- Wednesday 16 April
- Wednesday 30 April
- Wednesday 14 May
- Wednesday 28 May
Bring a bike and rediscover the joy of pedalling. We look forward to seeing you there.
Volunteer get back in the saddle leader opportunity
The ride scheme is led by trained volunteers each week, giving lots of people the opportunity to get active outdoors. To become a cycle leader, there are two elements of the training, theory session followed by a practical session.
If you would like to become a volunteer health cycle leader please complete our online enquiry form and then we will be in touch with you.
Health and Activity Team
Email: healthandactivity@dorsetcouncil.gov.ukTel: 01425 480811
Full contact details