Kick start your spring with Great Yarmouth Cycling Club’s ‘EasyStart Academy’
After a long winter the first signs of spring are always a welcoming sight for cyclists across the country. As we enter March Great Yarmouth Cycling Club members are able to get out on their bikes once again and commence training for the 2011 season.
March 2011 also sees the return of GYCC’s EasyStart Academy which aims to engage with young riders and novices who are interested in cycling to hone their bike skills and gain some valuable training from British Cycling affiliated coaches. The EasyStart Programme runs for 4 weeks from March 12th and takes place every other Saturday morning at Yarmouth Stadium – a fantastic facility providing a safe, tarmac, traffic-free environment. Coaching sessions comprise of basic bike handling, group riding, cornering technique as well as race techniques and tactics. The EasyStart Academy is open to all ages with groups for U12, U16 and adults; aiming to build age related novice teams to compete in the local racing scene at the Lotus Test Track and the Norwich Circuit Race Series.
A success of GYCC’s previous EasyStart Academy was highlighted last weekend (26th February) in some of the performances of the club’s young riders at the famous Hog Hill in Redbridge, North London. The youngsters’ spirits were not dampened by the driving rain upon arrival and once racing was underway continued to demonstrate their enthusiasm on the track. Debutant Seth Houlgate was marred by a puncture and unable to carry on, however fellow GYCC riders did him proud in their efforts. Rising star, Zak Coleman, rode a strong race to finish in 4th place and is once again demonstrating his consistency after a successful winter in the regional cyclocross league. 11 year old Ben Turner showed strength and some serious determination to claw his way back into the pack and finish in 14th place whilst sister Elle Turner, fresh out of the EasyStart Academy, was put into her first competitive bike race. 9 year old Elle persevered against the driving rain for 10 kilometres to secure 3rd place girl in the U10 category. Congratulations to all of those who rode last weekend – these are some fantastic results for GYCC’s young riders, they are a testament to the EasyStart Academy and are a shining example as to what can be achieved from this programme.
GYCC is probably the fastest growing sports club in the area and the fastest growing cycling club in our region. Its growth is down to being inclusive to the whole community and being able to offer such an ‘easy start’ for beginners. We are unique in our ability to offer riders of all ages the chance to experience road riding through our equipment and training from British Cycling affiliated coaches. The two biggest challenges to new riders are: lack of traffic free facilities and the cost of buying a bike before you have tasted the sport and decided it is a worthy investment. The EasyStart Academy removes both of these barriers. GYCC's efforts in developing the sport and getting young people active has been well recognised and the club has received fantastic financial support from Sport England along with the club sponsors Pedal Revolution (the biggest specialist cycle retailer in Norfolk) and DAP UK.
Cycling is a fantastic way to get fit and now that spring is just around the corner is a great way to meet new people in one of our many social activities: our relaxed Sunday morning rides, the weekly club training nights held at Cliff Park Junior School every Tuesday evening and now the new EasyStart Academy held at Great Yarmouth Stadium from 12th March. It is the perfect time to get involved in the local cycling scene which will see increasing numbers of weekly time trials and regular road racing events taking place within the club.
Places for the EasyStart Academy are limited, so enter NOW! For more information visit us online at www.greatyarmouthcyclingclub.co.uk
You can download an registration form here
