STOURBRIDGE Cycling Club are celebrating their 50th anniversary and are looking to mark the occasion with a series of events this weekend.

The cyclists are planning to shed their bike-clips this Friday night with a barn dance at the Bonded Warehouse followed by a fish and chip supper.

Those that are still standing the following morning can take part in a series of celebratory bike rides that also start from the Bonded Warehouse at 9am

Following a 50 theme, there'll be a 50-mile road ride for more experienced cyclists and also a 50K ride at a steadier pace.

There's also a 50K off-road event for serious mountain bikers.

The club is also holding a 15K off road event which will be suitable for beginners and children who are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Club chairman Kevin Payton said: "I've absolutely no idea how many people will turn up on Saturday morning. We currently have over 200 members but the rides are open for everyone to join in.

"I've never seen so many people involved with cycling as we are seeing now. The revolution at the top of British cycling has cascaded down and its popularity has never been better.

"Apart from our own club we also have Stourbug, Stourbridge Bicycle User Group, and Stourbridge Velo also operating and thriving in the town as well.

"The lovely thing about cycling is that it suits people of all abilities. There's people who want to race and others who just like getting out on a bike.

"We always welcome new members. The more we get, the more rides we can arrange for different abilities.

"I was lucky enough to watch the Tour de France in Yorkshire and then visited France a few weeks later. They were all talking about Yorkshire and the huge impact it made. I've never seen scenes like it and the amount of people involved with cycling now."

Tickets for the barn dance are available by emailing sue.payton@stourbridgecyclingclub.com