Inter Club Mountain Biking In The Central Region

 

News Posted 6th October 2008

 

As an extension to Central's Go-Ride Summer Programmes under 16s were invited to an on-race-course training session at Lotts Wood near Amersham in preparation for a Young Racers Day that was being held the next day. Local clubs have an arrangement with the Forestry Commission allowing them to lease Lotts Wood for club’s activities. The arrangement has allowed the local clubs such as Summit MTB Club to construct several single track routes that are suitable for entry level riders through to experienced riders. This makes a welcome venue for sessions put on by Regional Coach Graham MacNamee.  Inspired by the growing number of youngsters entering the summer evening race series at Lotts Wood a special race day for under 16s to promote inter-club competition and attract new racers.

 

Clare Muir, a local Level 2 MTB coach who had helped on the Holiday Programmes was lead coach at Saturday's session.  Clare Muir attending both the holiday scheme and the club’s race day provided an excellent link from the holiday scheme to community club participation. Clare provided an excellent link because young people at the Holiday scheme that were new to the sport had the opportunity to meet a local club member and learn about Hillingdon Slipstreamers’ activities. Those that pursued their interest in cycling to the community club will have met Clare there as well. Clare was there at these races acting as a friendly and welcoming face for the young people.

 

The Race Programme on Sunday included riders from several clubs including Go-Ride clubs Hemel Hempstead CC and Hillingdon Slipstreamers.  For Slipstreamers the day included their Championships with prizes of tyres donated by Patron Jenny Copnall.  There were races for U8 and U10 on a mini course followed by progressively longer distances for U12, U14 and U16s.  After the presentations, there followed an extremely popular and fiercely contested Relay Race.  Each team of 2 rode for half an hour alternating one lap in and one out, with the handing over of a baton each time round.  There were medals for all categories with sponsorship from local bike shop On2Wheels.

 

The whole day was much enjoyed by everyone. All the Go-Ride clubs present deliver regular safe, fun and challenging activities for young people and everyone hopes that other clubs at the event such as Summit MTB Club will continue to provide for the youngsters in the future.  Every rider was invited to the inaugural Archer RC promoted event of the Central Cyclo-Cross League at Hillingdon Circuit the following Sunday allowing the youngsters to get a taste of local level competitive action.

 

For more information about Go-Ride activities in the Central Region please contact Josie Heffernan on 07940 738 314 or via e-mail on josieheffernan@britishcycling.org.uk .