BEING beaten by a six-year-old and discovering a active social network has spurred a Sandiway mum on to do great things for herself and charity.

Salma Kamaluddin, dispensing optician and a director of Specsavers in Northwich, is in training for the women-only Cycletta sportive this September.

She is planning to cycle the 100km or 150 km distance for St Luke's Hospice and has already started building a team of friends to join her.

But Salma's cycling journey only started in summer 2013 when she was inspired by her son Harvey, now seven.

"It was Harvey's birthday in July – he got a bike and I couldn't keep up with him," she said.

She started joining in women-only bike rides organised by the British Cycling Breeze network, including those run by much-missed Claire O'Brien, who died in August last year.

"Breeze rides are brilliant for starting people off," she said.

"That's how we got started and I wouldn't be doing the distances I'm doing now if it wasn't for people like Claire.

"Now, because I love cycling so much, I think about Claire quite a lot – every time I'm out on my bike."

Salma has upped her mileage from five-mile Breeze rides to 50 mile weekly rides with her friends.

"I've never been so fit and healthy, it just does you good" she said.

"You don't have to drive to the gym, if you've got a spare hour you can just go out.

"And it's just so lovely to just go out and not be bothered about what's happening at work or home, it's fully escapism."

Macmillan Cycletta Cheshire starts and finishes at Tatton Park on September 27.

It includes 20km, 50km, 100km and 150km distances, as well as a Scootathlon for children aged between four and eight.

Melissa Newland, senior event fundraiser for St Luke's Hospice, said: "This is the third year we've had places at Cycletta.

"Each year we get five free places but this year we want it to be the biggest ever."

Fundraisers pledge to raise at least £250 for the hospice to gain one of its free places.

Melissa said this year the hospice would reimburse cyclists who pay to enter the event if they pledge to raise money for St Luke's.

For more information ring Melissa on 01606 555815 or visit stlukes-hospice.co.uk/events/cycletta.