On Monday 24 November, pupils from Beech Hill Primary in Wigan and Wennington Hall Secondary School in Lancaster got the chance to meet BMXers from the Great Britain Cycling Team.



The pupils watched the elite team train on the world class indoor BMX track at the National Cycling, before getting the opportunity to ask questions and take photographs. They were also given a tour of the centre, including the velodrome where Olympic athletes such as Laura Trott and Jess Varnish train every week.

British Cycling’s Go-Ride Coach, Dylan Clayton, has been working with the two schools over the past few years, coaching key skills and techniques to the riders and helping them to develop the confidence to get more involved in cycling and join a local community Go-Ride club.

A group of Year 5 and Year 6 pupils from Beech Hill Primary School attended the special event. The school is part of the Go-Ride programme and has developed a school club, which is run by three teachers who recently completed the Cycling for Schools course. A number of pupils are also members of Mid Lancs Go-Ride BMX Club, which aids and strengthens the link between school and club.

A number of Year 7 and 8 pupils from Wennington Hall Secondary School also came along to meet their cycling heroes. The school has also developed a cycling club and is fortunate enough to have its own BMX track. They are currently working towards Go-Ride accreditation, which provides pupils with a fantastic opportunity to get really stuck in to BMX riding. It also means they get the chance to regularly practise the skills that Dylan has been coaching in the school sessions.

Dylan said: “The opportunity to meet the elite BMX riders and watch them train has really inspired the school pupils and encouraged them to continue their passion for cycling and BMX riding.”

To find out more about the Go-Ride for Schools programme, please visit www.britishcycling.org.uk/go-ride.