BicycleHaywoodNC is sponsoring group rides for new and newly returning bicycle riders.

The focus of the rides will be to assist cyclists in enhancing their fitness and including bicycling as part of a lifestyle change. Rides start at Rolls Rite Bicycle Shop on North Main Street just past the Haywood County Board of Education in Waynesville. The rides are part of the Haywood Fitness Challenge for 2011.

Interested participants should be at Rolls Rite by 5:30 p.m. with their own bicycle and helmet. A brief safety chat and bicycle check will be held before each ride, and participants are required to sign either an annual release and waiver of liabilities, or an individual release and waiver each ride.

Children under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian signatures on the releases, and children under the age of 15 must be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian.

No rider will be left behind. Dress for the rides should be comfortable clothing that will not bind or get caught in the bike drive train.

In the event of inclement weather, rides will be postponed until the following week.

828.276.6080 or www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org, “local rides” page.