Double Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Philip Hindes has revealed how he regularly climbs into a different kind of saddle – to ride a horse through Carlisle.

Hindes – part of the all-conquering Team GB bike team that thrilled the nation at the Rio Games – said he “loves it” in the city, which he visits most weekends to see his girlfriend.

And he also said he likes to hit the county’s roads on his bike – taking in trips to Caldbeck and Keswick.

Hindes spoke of his Cumbrian links on a visit to the school where she teaches – Austin Friars at Etterby – to show pupils his medals.

Clare Donoghue was also present as children cheered the champion sportsman during a morning assembly.

“I live in Manchester but I love it here in Carlisle,” Hindes said.

“My girlfriend lives here and she is into horse riding so I regularly do that when I am here. I also like walking in the Lakes.”

Hindes, 23, showed off his Olympic gold medals from London 2012 and Rio 2016.

He added: “My girlfriend Clare is a teacher at Austin Friars and she asked if I would come in and talk to the children about my recent success.”

Hindes, who was born in Germany to a British father, gave an inspirational talk to the pupils – and then answered questions from some of the children.

He said: “They asked me questions like what my diet was like, which helmet I prefer to wear and how much I train. I think they liked touching the gold medals. I like to inspire them.

“I used to row and my sporting hero used to be a German rower. When I met him I was really inspired.”

Hindes admitted that he is keen to get back to training as he hasn’t done much since the Olympics ended. He said: “I trained for four years for Rio but I need to start again as I feel like I’m getting fat. I start again on Monday.”

He said his next focus was on winning individual events and the Sprint World Championships.

“I was 19 when I won in London and I am 23 now. I will be 27 when the Olympics are held in Tokyo in 2020 – that’s the age Sir Chris Hoy was when he won his first gold medal,” he said.

Since Rio, Hindes has been carrying his gold meal around with him. “People like to see it,” he said. “I was at the Christie Hospital in Manchester this week visiting people having chemotherapy. If seeing my medal makes them happy then I am happy.”

Hindes recently attended an #iamteamGBevent at Ullswater Yacht Club, where hundreds turned out for a sailing session.

He said: “I love the Lakes.

“When I visit Clare I regularly bring my bike and head out in the Caldbeck direction. I like going to Keswick too.”