Festival patron Annie Last

The first ever Peak District Cycling Festival hits the trail tomorrow with a guided mountain bike ride for beginners.

The Ladybower Reservoir ride is one of 60 events in the nine day festival.

On Sunday, a free guided ride On the Trail of Chatsworth by Bike offers a chance to improve skills on a (15-mile) route led by national park ranger Terry Page and described as strenuous but not technically difficult.

The ride is mainly on bridleways on the Chatsworth and Haddon estates.

The Peak District National Park Authority has organised the festival in partnership with tourism and cycling organisations, with the aim of encouraging more people to enjoy cycling.

Patron of the festival is 23-year-old Annie Last, an Olympian mountain biker who comes from the Peak District and rides for the Trek Factory Racing team.

Ms Last said: “The first-ever Peak District Cycling Festival offers a fabulous opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy fun, fresh air and fitness surrounded by some of the UK’s most breathtaking landscapes.”

Many of the events need to be pre-booked. A full list is on the Peak District Cycling Festival website.