As we reach the end of 2014, the Go-Ride team at British Cycling takes a look back at the major achievements and milestones of what has been an exciting twelve months for cycling.
January
The first women and girls-only Go-Ride Racing event takes place at Redditch Road and Path Cycling Club, arranged by National Youth Forum representative Steph Holmes.
February
The Bicycle Association is announced as an official partner of Go-Ride, with the funding commitment helping to extend the reach of the programme, providing even more opportunities for young people to get involved with our sport.
March
A record number of attendees join the six Go-Ride conferences, which provide the 550 delegates with quick-fire updates and a session on The Chimp Model, devised by one of the world leaders in sports psychiatry, Dr Steve Peters.
April
British Cycling, working with Access Sport, recruits a Go-Ride Coach to develop Go-Ride BMX clubs in London, whilst the first ever Go-Ride coaching session takes place on the Olympic boards at the Lee Valley VeloPark.
May
In celebration of the inaugural Women’s Tour, Go-Ride Coaches host girls-only sessions in schools along the route, with some riders taking part in entry-level races at the start and finish lines of some of the stages.
June
Molly Pattison, a young volunteer in the South West, is invited by the Prime Minister to carry the Queen’s Baton to 10 Downing Street, as part of the countdown to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Molly was awarded with this opportunity due to her outstanding commitment to developing the sport of BMX for young people.
July
With 241 come-and-try events during this month, the Go-Ride Tour provides over 9,000 young people with the opportunity to experience cycle sport, cementing a lasting legacy from the Tour De France visiting our shores. A group of 26 young riders, who have progressed from the Go-Ride programme, experience the ride of their life when they join the first and last 30km of the first three stages of the Tour de France.
August
The National Paralympic Day, an annual celebration of the Paralympic movement, is hosted at the Queen Elizabeth Park and British Cycling’s Go-Ride team goes along to showcase some of the grassroots opportunities for young people.
September
Over 300 young cyclists get the chance to take part in Go-Ride Racing events on the Tour of Britain course, as the penultimate activity on the finish straight before the elite race arrives.
October
The Go-Ride team celebrates achieving the milestone of providing over 10,000 opportunities for young people to don a race bib and take part in a Go-Ride Racing event.
November
This month is all about winning awards, with British Cycling tutor, Richard Shepherd and Young Volunteer, Steph Holmes, shortlisted for the sports coach UK awards. Yvonne Mills, Go-Ride club volunteer, is named the BBC North West Unsung Hero for 2014 and is in the running for the national award at the Sports Personality of the Year awards.
December
Big thumbs up to the performance pathway, with over 70% of riders representing Great Britain at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup progressing from Go-Ride Clubs, whilst a number of our young volunteers attend a National Talent Camp along with the next generation of athletes to cement future medal success.
We’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas at this festive time of the year and, as always, thank the network of dedicated volunteers across the country - all of whom have played a very important role in the success of the Go-Ride programme. Here’s to 2015!
