The Rotary Club of Narberth and Whitland are ‘wheelie’ thrilled and honoured to announce that Nicole Cooke MBE, the Olympic gold medal winning cyclist at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, is to ride in their Rotary Ride charity cycle event on September 3 - and you could join her!

Together with winning the Olympic gold, Nicole has a host of other achievements to her name. After setting her heart on winning the Olympics at the age of 11, she won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and followed this up with gold at the World Championship road race six weeks later, becoming the first rider in history to win Olympic and World Championship road race in the same year.

Other highlights in a career that spanned 13 years include riding in the yellow jersey over the mythical mountains of the Tour de France en route to two Tour victories, gold at the Commonwealth Games road race and conquering the Spring Classics with victories in the Amstel Gold Race, Fleche Wallone and Tour of Flanders, and also winning the World Cup series.

Nicole, of course, won’t be racing when she comes to Pembrokeshire, as she will be joined by other cyclists from Pembrokeshire and further afield who will be raising money for the nominated event charities, Breast Cancer UK and the Rotary End Polio Now appeal, which is so close to eradicating this awful disease worldwide.

Nicole, who will be riding the 50 mile route, said: “It’s a privilege to be asked to support the Rotary charity ride. I haven’t ridden much in the area, so I am looking forward to the ride and taking in some hills.”

She also thanked the Rotary Club for the invite.

Said Rotarian John Hughes: “Nicole and her family have been friends of ours since we both lived nearby in the Ammanford area, indeed Nicole and our daughter Emma were both born within a few weeks of each other at Morriston Hospital Swansea, and my wife Linda is godparent to Nicole’s brother Craig.”

The Rotary event starts at the Bloomfield Centre in Narberth, with cyclists able to select from a 10, 27 or 50-mile route to complete, all of which finish at the picturesque venue of the Cresselly Arms, Cresswell Quay.

More entrants to the ride are very welcome. Adult entry is just £10, but completely free if you pledge to raise £25 for the supported charities. For under 16 riders, entry is completely free, whilst there will be a trophy to be presented to the highest sponsored junior rider.

It is not every day that cyclists have the opportunity to ride with an Olympic gold medal winner and if you would like to register to take part, you can do so at the Rotary Club website www.rotarywales.co.uk. Payment can be made by Paypal or BACS. There is a meal available at the Cresselly Arms finish, which can also be pre-booked on the website.

Cyclists will also be pleased to know that, if required, transport will be available on the day to return them and their bikes to the Bloomfield Centre from the finish at Cresswell Quay.

If you have any other queries on the ride, please contact event organiser,. Rotarian David Haward, on 01437 532293, whilst further details of Nicole’s glittering career can be found at her website www.nicolecooke.com