The Mayor of Kenilworth has today (August 21) completed a major cycling challenge to start a weekend of bicycle-themed action in the town.

Cllr Alison Insley has completed a huge 80 mile ride on a spin bike at newly-opened Abbey Fields Swimming Pool today, as Kenilworth gets ready to welcome the Tour of Britain Women on Sunday.

The major challenge is the latest in a series of fundraising efforts by Cllr Insley, with today's event raising money for her two mayoral charities, Warwickshire Hearts and Warwickshire Search and Rescue, as well as serving as inspiration for people to get out on two wheels.

And ahead of Sunday's final Tour of Britain stage, the mayor has encouraged as many people as possible to get out into town and cheer on the riders.

She told Nub News: "We need people to come out and support the cycling event.

"It is good for us, it is good for the town, it is good for the women.

"Come out, chat to friends, have a good time. The weather is going to be fantastic!

"It is really important to line the streets and support the women as they cycle through the towns of Warwickshire."

Starting at 8am this morning, the event at Abbey Fields also featured CPR demonstrations by Warwickshire Hearts, as well as a chance to find out more about Warwickshire Search and Rescue and to see demonstrations of their throw lines throughout the day, showing locals how they can safely help someone stuck in the water.

Cllr Insley told Nub News why these charities are so important.

She said: "Both charities are run 100 per cent by volunteers.

"One is lowland rescue who go out with the police looking for missing people, and the other charity - Warwickshire Hearts - respond with West Midlands Ambulance.

"They go out to priority one calls so they can save lives, and they also do defibrillator and CPR training as well."

Judith Davidson, a volunteer from Warwickshire Hearts, explained why the event is so important for the charity.

She said: "We are privileged to be one of the Mayor of Kenilworth's charities. We are supporting her taking part in the cycleathon, and we want to promote exercise as a good health benefit."

The charity was demonstrating CPR and public access defibrillators during the day. Judith explained why knowledge of CPR and resuscitation is so important. She said: "Every minute does count. The outcome from a cardiac arrest in this country out of a hospital, is between 7-10%, and unfortunately women are about 28% less likely to be resuscitated than men."

The cycling fun is set to continue over the weekend, with the Kenilworth Rugby Club's human bicycle challenge and rugby bash activities taking place on Saturday, and the women's cycling coming through Kenilworth late morning on Sunday.

More details of Sunday's stage can be found here.