Cyclists across South West Hertfordshire are being invited to take part in a mini-festival of pedalling later this year.

The Tour de Ricky is due to take place on June 3 to mark the start of National Bike Week and cyclists will be able to take part in a range of rides hosted at Woodoaks Farm in Maple Cross.

Organised by local cycle group SPOKES and Willesden Cycling Club, the day offers several different formats which will cater for almost everyone from the relaxed pedal turner to the long distance endurance fans.

The day will start with three long distance rides known as the Tour de Ricky being waved off. These self-supported rides cover distances of 50, 100 and 200km in a format known as audaxing - where the emphasis is on making friends whilst tackling a challenge.

From 10am onwards SPOKES will lead several rides ranging from slow, gentle rides at the pace of the slowest up to medium pace rides averaging 9 to 11 mph. Distances will vary from five up to about 30 miles.

A team from Watford Cycle Hub will be on hand at the farm during the morning to offer advice and give bikes a free health check.

Officers from Hertfordshire Police are also expected to join the fun to provide crime prevention advice.

Woodoaks Farm, owned by the Soil Association Land Trust, is hosting the day as part of its commitment to promoting sustainable travel.

SPOKES chair Peter Jackson said: “This day offers something for almost every road cyclist and we’re looking forward to meeting people and showing them some of the great cycling there is around South-West Herts.”

Woodoaks Farm manager Rose Lewis said: “We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint on the farm and hosting the Tour De Ricky allows us to promote cycling routes to the farm to encourage future visitors to use pedal power instead of driving. Better for people and better for the planet!’

Liam FitzPatrick, organiser of the audax rides, added: “This is the second time we have run our long distance rides from the farm. People like the community feel of the event which provides a cake-powered challenge.”

The Tour de Ricky first took place last year when three long distance audax-style rides were staged.

These rides are not races - riders have a maximum speed and there is a community ethos behind the rides as participants help each other and have the chance to make friends at the coffee stops along the route.

For more information about the long distance rides and how to take part, visit www.tourdericky.uk