Successful launch of the NCA Summer Cycle Camp!
Team Leader: Helen Butcher
Instructor: AJ Howe
Instructor: Kevin Crawshaw
Northwest Ladies DH Champion Jenna Woodruff
The NCA Summer Cycle Camp was launched on the 25th July by Jenna Woodruff, the North West Ladies Downhill Champion.
Jenna arrived at the camp in a Racing Team support vehicle to rapturous applause from the children attending the camp. After meeting everyone, signing autographs and having photos taken with the children, she talked to the group about downhill racing, specialist DH equipment and also brought along a specialist La Pierre DH race bike for the children to have a go on.
After the opening launch of the new camp, the children basked in the sunshine and joined in different cycling activities throughout the following weeks. These included:
MTB skills training on the Forestry Commission’s MTB blue route
Bike rides along Cycle Route 6
A picnic at Clifton Marina
Time trials
Workshop sessions about how to care for your bike, fix punctures and safety check your bike
BMX skills training using ramps and tabletop sections
Treasure Hunts and orienteering
Cycle speedway racing
NCA Cycle Camp Co-ordinator, Nick Hutton said ‘All the children have had an amazing time over the last five weeks. They have been trying out different types of cycling activities in a fun, safe environment, it’s a great way to encourage the children to visit Bury’s local parks and then meeting the NW Champion acted has an inspiration for our young riders’
Each week was rounded off with a presentation ceremony, certificates and a goody bag was given to all the participants who had enjoyed the activities
Rebecca Baraona, rider with Team NCA presents the workshop about how to repair a puncture
Summer Camp Speedway
British Cycling coach John Burston at Bury Cycle Speedway Club
As part of the NCA Summer Cycle Camp, children joined in a Cycle Speedway session with local club, the Bury Comets.
Top British Cycling coach, John Burston, introduced the group to the finer intricacies of this exciting, fast paced sport, explaining safety requirements, a brief history of the sport and how the racing is scored
The children were soon kitted up with the correct equipment, including specialist Cycle Speedway bikes which have no brakes or gears!
After a few practise runs the group were soon racing against each the other on the Bury track, quickly picking up the necessary skills under the expert guidance of John.
There were a few crashes as the group vied for the win but all were taken in good grace by the children after dusting themselves down in time to have another go!
An outstanding rider on the day was Adam Piranditta, who showed excellent first time skills. Other participants, Eli and Tom, returned to the club the following week in order to have another go and we hope they stick with it and progress within the sport. Well done to all the children who attended and many thanks to Tony, John and Stuart at Bury Cycle Speedway Club for their continued partnership working with NCA
2011 Summer Camp Description
The NCA Summer Cycling Camp was an exciting new concept in children’s holiday playschemes, ages 6 to 16 years
It aimed to offer great fu in a safe environment and was based in Philips Park, Whitefield and set in beautiful countryside adjacent to SUSTRANS cycle route 6 - but only a few minutes from the heart of Manchester.
There was masses of choice for everyone - Cycling games, skills, activities, picnics and treasure hunts
There was an opportunity to try out MTB with the North West Downhill Champion; skills sessions including: Cycle maintenance, road safety, mountain biking, cycle speedway, BMX, trials . All delivered by an expert Team all passionate about cycling
Cycle Training Instructors full qualified in all cycling disciplines, CRB checked with first aid accreditation
It proved to be a great idea for the Summer Holidays
Early & late pick ups were available for working parents
There was easy site access via Junction 17 M60 and Bury New Road, with car parking
We proved that Cycle camps are fun, exciting, energetic and a great way to meet new friends ages 6 to 16 and it gets better- because each day consisted of cycling activities designed to build confidence, enhance cycling skills and increase riders’ cycling all round abilities with the aim to help each rider get more from their cycling.
Special Tuesdays focused on a two hour skills specific session ie MTB in the morning, combined with a ride out, fun games and theory in the afternoon. There was also an emphasis on safer cycling on road using an interactive whiteboard to enhance the Bikeability course.
5 weeks in Summer Weeks commencing :
25/07/2011 (Tuesday specialist day MTB skills)
01/08/2011 (Tuesday specialist day Cyclespeedway skills)
08/08/2011 (Tuesday specialist day Bikeability road safety course)
15/08/2011 (Tuesday specialist day maintenance session)
22/08/2011 (Tuesday specialist day BMX skills)