Haven’t ridden your bike for a while? Keen to get cycling again but not sure how to start? Paralympic cyclist Sue Powell is inviting people who haven’t cycled lately to join her riding the 20km route in Amy’s Big Canberra Bike Ride this Sunday.

Powell, a world champion and gold medallist from the London Paralympic Games, says almost anyone can ride 20 kilometres, even if they haven’t cycled for a while.

“The course is generally really flat and all on closed roads or bike paths. There are lots of places to stop for a quick rest as well as aid stations and lots of support.  This is the perfect event to test your bike legs and rediscover the joy of cycling,” said Powell.

Powell took up cycling in 2007 after sustaining a spinal injury while playing field hockey. Since then she’s won Paralympic gold and silver medals, four world championships, many world cup gold medals and she’s finished on the podium at Masters Championships competing against able-bodied cyclists. In April Powell will represent Australia on the track at the Para-Cycling World Championships, competing in four events including the new Scratch Race. She says Sunday’s 20km ride will be a recovery session following two days of hard training.

“Track cycling is all about fitness and speed and I will spend much of Friday and Saturday doing some really intense, hard training. On Sunday I will be taking it easy and just enjoying the ride and I would love some company,” said Powell.

The 20km and 35 km routes on Amy’s Big Canberra Bike Ride this weekend are on closed roads and pathways and are open to kids, adults and families.  Children must be six to ride their own bike with younger children welcome in bike seats, trailers and tag-a-longs.  Children 12 or older are permitted to ride the longer 68km or 110km routes as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

All rides start at 8.00am at the Event Hub on the lawns in front of Parliament House (Federation Mall). The people from Pushy’s Bike Warehouse will be on-hand prior to the start to help with any last minute mechanical problems and there will be loads of giveaways. At the end of the ride, the Event Hub will have food, music, bike stalls and entertainment.

Riders can also raise funds in support of the Amy Gillett Foundation’s Cycle Safe Communities program.