IT'S difficult not to be inspired by the pure speed of Fabian Cancellara or the sheer, gritty determination of Robbie McEwen, winners of the prologue and first stage of this year's Tour de France.

Clad in his world championship winner's rainbow-ringed racing jersey, Cancellara, who hails from Switzerland and rides for Team CSC took just 8min 50sec to cover 7.9 kilometres of a fairly flat circuit between Westminster and Hyde Park cheered on by a crowd estimated to be more than a million strong.

Local London hope, World and Olympic Champion pursuiter Bradley Wiggins (Cofidis), who got an even louder cheer to chase, was fourth.

Now New Forest Cycling Club is offering anyone who fancies trying to ride a time trial the opportunity to do just that. And over exactly the same distance - 7.9 kilometres - so they can compare their times with the best in the world.

The terrain will be similar to the prologue course in that it will be mainly level with just the occasional slope to slow those spinning wheels.

It's guaranteed to be much quieter, with just a few marshals to cheer the riders on.

And while there may be some cars, the lanes between East Boldre and East End, are virtually traffic-free.

Riders will set off from the timekeeper at minute intervals and be timed to the nearest second.

There's no need to be a member of a cycling club. The Come-and-Try-It event has got special sanction from Cycling Time Trials, the sport's national organising body.

New Forest Cycling Club secretary Peter Weaver said: "Cycling is recognised as having many health benefits and can be enjoyed with friends or alone, either for fun or as a competitive sport."

The Come-and-Try-It time trial will be held on the evening of Thursday, July 26.

Competitors must be aged 12 years or more. There will be separate categories for male and female cyclists and for road bikes and mountain bikes. All finishers will be awarded a certificate. Entry is just £1, under-18s need a hardshell helmet and a signed parental consent form.

Contact Peter Weaver for forms and more details on 01202 822001 or by email to nfcc@verwooddesign.co.uk