British Cycling’s Go-Ride programme visited the Odd Down cycle circuit in Bath on Monday 13 July, providing opportunities for over 200 schoolchildren to experience cycle sport and celebrating the one year anniversary of the facility opening to the general public.
Officially opened a year ago by Olympic gold medallist, Dani King, the facility is one of only 21 purpose built closed road circuits in England and was the first in British Cycling’s southern region.
British Cycling contributed £600,000 towards the construction of the specially-designed circuit in partnership with Sport England. Over the last 12 months, seven local cycling clubs have been making regular use of the facility while it has also been used to provide opportunities for school and community groups.
British Cycling put on a Go-Ride session as part of a wider event celebrating the opening of a new pavilion at the facility, with Go-Ride Coaches hosting fun sessions to improve bike handling skills. The children also took part in a number of other activities including a rugby tournament while the Webb Ellis Cup was displayed at the venue ahead of the Rugby World Cup beginning later this year.
British Cycling’s chief executive, Ian Drake, said:
“With more than two million people now riding their bikes every week in this country, there is a need for new facilities, to not only meet the current demand, but also to create new opportunities.
“These local facilities are essential for keeping cycling inclusive and accessible, and are essential to promoting active lifestyles.
“It’s incredible to see how successful the venue has been in the first 12 months and hopefully this will encourage the creation of further facilities across the country. They play a crucial role, not only in providing experienced cyclists a great venue on which to ride, but also for those who are new to the sport, offering new cyclists the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence they need to ride on the roads in a safe, traffic free environment.”
For more information about the Go-Ride programme for young people and how to get into cycling, visit www.britishcycling.org.uk/getinvolved
