I’m sure all members old and new will be interested in our 2011 Programme for young riders, held under British Cycling’s Go Ride banner.

For many years we have run a Youth Programme, developing a whole host of cyclists, most famously Ross Edgar, Olympic and World medallist, but also many others for whom cycling became a life skill, a source of life-long enjoyment and even employment. 

This year’s ambitious plans will benefit from having our Club Room on the site of our main activities at Priory School, but we also need members to help run the programme. Members might also want their own offspring to take part, or know of youngsters that would enjoy and benefit from participation.

The activities are aimed at 8-16 year olds, of all ability levels. The participation fee is £3 per session, up to £15 maximum at which point they become Juvenile members. It is free to youngsters whose parents have Family Membership. This year we will be running three groups to cater for the widely differing abilities ~ Novice, Intermediate and Advanced, the latter group concentrating on competitive activities.

The Programme looks like this:

TUESDAY EVENINGS  6.30 – 7.30 (and a little longer when weather and light allow) Commencing APRIL 5th, continuing till JULY 12th (except May 31^st)

GO RIDE RACE EVENTS    Wednesday April 20^th 2-4pm &  Wednesday July 27^th 2-4pm

AUTUMN EVENTS            A trial series of four rides open to youngsters and their parents weekly from Saturday September 3^rd 2-3pm

FAMILY FUN RIDE            Date to be announced

WELWYN TRACK DAY     Date to be announced

The advanced riders with sporting ambitions and parental backing will be encouraged to open various events in the region, including the Ixworth Cycle Races (May 2^nd), Welwyn Track League (Fridays commencing early May), our own Grass Track (Saturday August 6^th), Mildenhall Rally events (August 27-28), and Eastern Cyclo Cross events commencing September.

If you know of youngsters that want to participate, or if you want to help us with this important part of club activities, please contact Helen Ballam ballam@sky.com 01284 706522 or Barry Denny barrydenny@btinternet.com 01284 386409.