The last 12 months have been really exciting for the Go-Ride programme, following the announcement of a partnership with cycle retailer Evans Cycles in spring 2015.

Marking the anniversary of the announcement, British Cycling’s programme for young people ran a fun coached session at the HOY 100 Sportive which was based at Cheshire’s Arley Hall.

Sir Chris Hoy made an extra special visit to the session after riding the 100 km sportive route, starting Go-Ride Races and encouraging youngsters around the circuit.

Speaking at the event, Evans Cycles ambassador Sir Chris Hoy said: “It’s been over a year now since Evans Cycles started the partnership with Go-Ride and we’ve been providing Go-Ride Coaches with HOY kids’ bikes to run sessions across the country.

“The programme has created over half a million opportunities for kids to ride their bikes in the last year and the aim is to try to reach two million by 2020.

“It’s so important to get kids on bikes at a young age and teach them the proper skills.

“With clubs and coaches across the country, Go-Ride is about getting as many kids active as possible.”

Evans Cycles is providing Go-Ride Coaches with 1,500 HOY bikes, enabling young people to have a go even if they don’t have their own bicycle.

The bikes have been particularly important to support work with schools and at community events, sharing the health and happiness that cycling provides and encouraging kids to improve their bike handling skills.

Last year over 30,000 young people got involved with the Go-Ride programme, which also aims to find the next generation of world champion cyclists.

An impressive 75% of the Great Britain Cycling Team started out at Go-Ride Clubs, reinforcing the pathway’s success.

Looking back on the first year of the partnership, British Cycling’s Director of Coaching, Education and Development, John Mills, said: “We’re enormously grateful for the support that Evans Cycles has provided to help us grow the Go-Ride programme and reach even more young people around the country.

“The numbers speak for themselves and I’m entirely confident that we will smash the two million target in 2020.”

Emma Fouracre, Senior Marketing Manager at Evans Cycles, commented: “We’ve watched our partnership with the Go-Ride programme flourish over the last year and are constantly amazed by the range of activities that it offers.

“From young riders just starting out in the sport through to promising club talent, we’re proud to support an initiative that has already achieved so much success.

“Seeing a whole fleet of HOY bikes in action at the HOY 100 sportive was brilliant and it was clear just how much fun the kids were having.

“That’s the driving force behind the entire programme and something we are keen to promote.”

Go-Ride Coaches will be hosting school holiday programmes throughout the upcoming half term holiday, giving kids across the country a chance to get stuck in to the world of cycle sport.

To get involved with Go-Ride or sign up to one of the school holiday programmes, visit britishcycling.org.uk/go-ride