Are you looking forward to the Tour de France? Have you dusted off an old bicycle, or are you inspired to head to the gym by the likes of Sir Bradley Wiggins?

This Saturday, in the Saffron Walden market square, representatives from the Lord Butler Leisure Centre will be ready and waiting with exercise bikes for you to try and achieve a personalbest 1km time.

Race times will be displayed on a board and the fastest cyclist on the day will receive a complimentary one month pass to the leisure centre. Everyone who takes part will receive a three day pass to the centre.

Cllr Howard Rolfe, cabinet member for communities and partnerships at Uttlesford District Council, said: “With just under 50 days to go until the Tour races through our district, we wanted to partner with our local leisure centre to organise this fun challenge in the market square.

“We hope that many people will stop by and ‘have a go’. I have been advised the world’s best cyclists do it in around 1 minute 17 seconds... how close can you get?”

Beckie Reynolds, general manager at Lord Butler, said: “Myself and the team at Lord Butler are delighted to be involved with such a high-profile, fun event. This really is a fantastic opportunity for budding cyclists of all ages and abilities to come down to the market square and put their skills to the test; and who knows, we might even find a future Tour de France champion!”

There will be information about the Tour de France available on Saturday to help residents prepare for the day itself.

The entire Tour de France route through Uttlesford will be closed from 7.30am–4pm on Monday, July 7.