With the arctic weather conditions freezing out the early January session, it was a family ride starting and finishing in Gumley which kick started the 2010 Whizz Kids programme - 20 riders enjoyed a leisurely spin around the surrounding villages.
The latest session on February 13th attracted 35 riders, all passionate to get on their bikes and enjoy a Valentines special as the skill zones were based around a heart shaped zone.
Personally, it was great to get back to Welland Park and start working with a great group of youngsters.
We have, for a number of years, divided the riders into three groups at a skills session. From April we are intending to provide 4 groups.
The 4th group will be for the older Whizz Kids who have completed a number of years of developing skills inline with the Go-Ride Skills test. To develop these riders they are now required to work more on race competition based skills to assist them when it comes to racing and their integration into Youth (riders aged 12 yrs old to under 16 yrs old) racing.
Coming up we will once again be organising a family Trail Quest around the splendid grounds of Misterton Hall, Lutterworth with the kind permission of Mrs Craven. The quest will take place on Saturday 27th March.
Looking further ahead, at the end of May we have booked Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome for a circuit- racing skills session.
On the racing front, Fraser Ayears, Georgia Toner, Amy Garner, Louis Killworth, James Garrett, Ben Morris, Dominic Toner, Jade and Ria Mobbs all deserve a special mention for regularly getting stuck into the West Midlands Cyclo-cross league.
A very well done to you all for racing in the toughest and best league in the country
At the recent National Cyclo-cross Championships in Birmingham I was immensely proud to watch James, Ben, Dominic joined by Katie and Jake Hubbard contest the biggest race of their embryonic racing careers. They all raced as hard as possible and totally enjoyed the cut and thrust of a National Championship.
Youth cycling is in its prime and there are a vast array cycling activities and races that will at times clash with our Whizz Kids sessions.
This is unfortunate but please don’t feel obliged to attend every Whizz Kids session – it would be great to see the youngsters involved in the local races and getting the club colours to the fore in District and National events. Details of the activities can be found on the website – Whizz Kids section.
The forum could also be a good way of communicating between families to find out who is going to which event.
Once again I am seeking sponsorship for the Whizz Kids. The sponsorship however great or small will go towards the cost of hiring the cycling specific venues like Misterton, Husbands Bosworth and Bruntingthorpe.
We are fortunate that the Harborough District Council are very supportive and that we have strong team of volunteers, all willing to give their time freely, meaning that we can deliver the activities free of charge. I am extremely passionate that this remains the case.
If you are employed by a company who you think may be interested in supporting us please get in touch.
Tickety boo
Dean