New rides on the menu with Sutton-based Olympic cyclist Bryan Steel

The Bryan Steel Cycling Group meets every Sunday morning at Mansfield restaurant Il Rosso and is open to cyclists of all abilities..

Bryan has teamed up with Mansfield businessman Paul Hopewell, of the Health Insurance Group, to launch the three-hour sessions from the Nottingham Road venue.

So far, around 20 people meet up for the 100km ride, which takes in most of the north Nottinghamshire - and Bryan says it is ‘great’ way for people to meet up and socialise in a ‘relaxed manner’, as well as network.

“We have got some business people who come out with us and clearly (some people) have already made some connections,” said Bryan. “But it’s really about having a good time.

“We know some of the people who come along but now we have got to get to the next stage and get people we don’t know to come along.”

Mansfield businessman Malcolm Hall is one of the cyclists who attends each week.

He said: “ I’m not really one that likes traditional networking but I’m a very keen cyclist. This group has not only been great for my fitness it has also been great business and I have met and got to know owners and directors of some large multinational companies.”

There are also representatives from the British Bike Hire organisation on hand to service people’s bikes and give them tips about cycle care.

And as well as taking part on the ride, there is also a chance for cyclists to enjoy a coffee and bacon roll as well as a post-ride drink with Bryan.

The highlight of Bryan’s 20-year career as a cyclist was winning a silver medal in the team pursuit at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

He won bronze in the same discipline four years earlier in Sydney.

Now aged 46, Bryan is to launch his own academy to train the next generation of cyclists.

He currently travels the country sharing the secrets of his success through his own development programme - which includes partnership work with blue chip firms.

The Olympian delivers programmes to firms overseas, including in America, and also spends time providing one to one coaching to cyclists of all ability.

Entry to the weekly Sunday bike ride is £10 - including coffee and a bacon roll - and for details email [email protected].