YOUNGSTERS will be kept active this summer thanks to free cycle rides.

With the success of last month’s Sky Ride fresh in the mind, free Sky Ride Local events will be held in Southampton on August 11 and 18.

The rides are organised and guided by representatives from British Cycling, who will offer encouragement and support throughout.

There are rides for all ages with different abilities – from easy-going to more challenging routes.

Children aged 12 and under will receive gifts for taking part.

A Sky Ride Local sports watch is available for people taking part in their first ride and a backpack is up for grabs once you have completed three rides.

The rides have been brought to the city through a partnership between Southampton City Council, the My Journey initiative, Sky and British Cycling.

Thousands of cyclists took part in the fourth Sky Ride extravaganza across Southampton in July.

For more information, visit goskyride.com and use the “ride finder”

button at the top of the homepage to find a nearby ride.

More information is available at myjourneysouthampton.com/cycle.