CEREDIGION cyclists are officially the fastest in the UK, according to data from a popular mobile phone app.

Cyclists in the county using Strava, an app used by a “majority” of cyclists and which tracks your cycling or running using satellite navigation, have emerged as the fastest in the UK with an average speed of 33.6km per hour.

The average elevation gain for Ceredigion is 505m, the average ride time is one hour 40 minutes and the average ride distance is 34.1km.

Shelley Childs, organiser of the Aber Cycle Fest, said the achievement was all the more impressive considering the hilly terrain in Ceredigion.

“Considering the majority of cycling enthusiasts now use this app, I would say it is a fairly accurate reflection of things,” he said. “Our cyclists average speed is 33.6km per hour, which is a phenomenal achievement considering the geography of the county.

“A theory I have is that our cyclists are generally health and fitness enthusiasts, mainly using the bike for leisure or serious training, rather than commuting and riding with the family.

“The popularity of the clubs in the county — Ystwyth, West Wales, Caron and Velo Teifi — would also have helped as all clubs are seeing an increase in numbers.”

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition tomorrow