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Nightrider Event A Great Success

Posted: 31st January 2011

As the dark nights continue to drag on, Go-Ride Racing Coach Steve Crosland has shown young riders in Nottingham that a lack of daylight does not necessarily mean a lack of racing.

British Cycling's East Midlands coach has been working closely with Abbey Road Primary School in West Bridgford, Nottingham for a couple of months, and has created real enthusiasm for cycling amongst the children in school Years 5 and 6 resulting in Nightrider - Go-Ride Racing nocturne style.

There was a great atmosphere at the first ever Nightrider Go-Ride Racing event which recently saw 44 young riders under 16 turn out to take part. Each rider had two opportunities to race over two to five laps depending on age, followed by an Italian Pursuit which saw 33 riders on the course at the same time!

Go-Ride Racing is British Cycling's initiative to help young riders make the transition from school or club coaching sessions to inter-club and open regional competition - and with a second Nightrider, planned for March, Steve is hopeful of attracting even more Under 16s to night-time racing.

Steve said: "The school staff have been very supportive of us coming into school and coaching all day, we work with 60 children every Wednesday, and have discovered a goldmine in terms of cycling talent.

"I'm hopeful that a high percentage of children who have taken part in the British Cycling coaching and racing will take the next step and join their local cycling club, and continue to enjoy racing."

Assisted by Club Coach Jenny Harwood from local club Nottingham Clarion, the pair have been coaching at the school for the past 10 weeks. During which time the children have experienced most aspects of bike handling and racing skills.

Those new skills were put into practice on the night, as three teams battled it out over eleven laps of the 600m circuit with the Blue team being victorious and rounding off a great evenings racing.

Another Nightrider is planned for Wednesday 2nd March at Abbey Road School and the organisers are expecting an even bigger turn out from local riders, but don't forget your bike lights!

For more information on the next Nightrider event, contact go-rideracing@britishcycling.org.uk

For more information on Go-Ride Racing, click here