HUNDREDS of people are bound for Abergavenny in four weeks' time as the 2011 Festival of Cycling arrives again.

And this year, the organisers have introduced a Leisure Ride that is aimed at bringing families and friends together for a short pedal around the wonderful Monmouthshire countryside.

The event, supported by the Abergavenny Chronicle, is 19 miles long and is part of the centrepiece of the Festival on July 8-10.

It takes place on July 9 and passes through some spectacular scenery on the journey from the town towards Usk and back to the finish at Bailey Park.

It will take in villages like Llancayo, Bettws Newydd and Clytha, where there is a feed station so that everyone can have a drink before heading home.

The Leisure Ride, said organiser Bill Owen, encapsulates the ethos of the Welsh Assembly Government's Walking and Cycling Action Plan.

Their key aims are to improve the health of people in Wales by increasing the levels of physical activity and improving facilities for cyclists and walkers around the Principality.

Owen said: "The Leisure Ride is also a great way for people who have never ridden a bike, not been on a machine for a while or are simply looking for an easy morning's exercise in the fresh air to get out and enjoy themselves.

"It is suitable for families, groups of friends or just about anybody.

"We are also extremely grateful to editor Liz Davies and her staff at the Chronicle for helping us with their support of this part of the Festival of Cycling and we may see some of them out on their bikes themselves!"

Chronicle editor Liz Davies said the paper was delighted to be supporting this year's Leisure Ride.

"Bill has obviously never seen me trying to ride a bike or he wouldn't suggest that I should take part, but we are very pleased to be able to help show off the wonderful countryside around Abergavenny with this ride," she said.

It is the fifth year of the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling since it was revived after a 12-year absence.

And the Iron Mountain Sportive, which includes the Leisure Ride among its three mass participation events.

The Sportive also includes a 50-mile ride which touches the Brecon Beacons National Park before visiting Monmouth on the way to Raglan, Usk and then back to Bailey Park.

Meanwhile, for the committed riders who want a real test of their abilities, the full 100-mile ride, which takes in the 50-mile route before a climb up the legendary Tumble Mountain between Abergavenny and Blaenavon.

The 100-mile route also crosses the Brecon Beacons twice on the way to Talgarth via Llangorse before returning south through Crickhowell, Llanelly, Gilwern and Llanfoist.

The Festival of Cycling opens on Friday July 8 with the spectacular Get Connected Welsh Open Criterium - town centre races - which again this year form part of the National Elite Town Centre Series and will bring some of the best riders from across the UK to Monmouthshire.

The Leisure Ride and the other Sportives during the weekend are open to anyone and entries can be completed online at http://www.abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk">www.abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk.