Sessions
For juniors we offer Saturday morning sessions at 9am and 10.15. We take riders from age 3, riders must be able to ride unaided with pedals (no balance bikes) to join the club. We will coach riders in progressive skills building confidence across a variety of cycling styles.
| Season | Base |
|---|---|
| Autumn/Winter | Coryton Primary School |
| Summer | Fforest Ffawr |
| Extra sessions (Spring/Summer) | Friday Nights at Maindy Track |
Groups
Setting riders into groups is part science part art. Groups are based on riders progressing through a series of developmental skills, but also takes into account age, consistency and coaching capacity.
We may move riders between groups some weeks depending on coaching capacity.
The first Saturday of the month will (mostly) be a ride out, a longer ride with opportunities for more social or challenging rides across Cardiff and beyond.
| 9.00am start | 10.15am start |
|---|---|
| Little Wheelers | Challenge 10 |
| Budding Wheelers | Adventure |
| Challenge 9 |
6 week blocks
- Approach is to develop skills over progressive six-week blocks (3 sessions – Ride Out – 3 sessions)
- Focus of 6 weeks may be a specific skill area or discipline focus, such as cyclocross racing
- Recognise not everyone can attend every week therefore flexible to approach
- Will be making more use of ride outs on normal coaching weeks (particularly for 10.15 group) to extend opportunities to use different terrain, including road, support endurance and create more space on site
Group setting is part art and part science, there are a series of progressive skills coaches will be looking to see in riders to move them through groups. Below are some examples:
| Progression stage | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Little to Budding | Safe to ride/Ready to ride Riders have got the basics and are ready, and safe, to work in groups and on more challenging, non-flat terrain – Stop safely with brakes on flat and tarmac slope – Mostly starts correctly pedal in ready position from static start – Mostly corners correctly inside leg up – Can ascend in saddle on tarmac slope – Can descend in saddle on tarmac slope – Can glide pedals level when seated – Can stand out of saddle |
| Budding to Challenge | Ready for a challenge Riders have experience of most types of terrain and some obstacles and are ready to develop consistency, strength and tackle more advanced obstacles – Implement ‘attack’ position in variety of scenarios ie slopes, obstacles, braking – Comfortable riding in a group on the Taff Trail – Basic road safety ie signals, road features – Can cope with changing terrain ie change gear; moving dismount; moving mount – Can perform an ABC check – Consistently starts correctly from static start – Consistently corners correctly |
| Challenge 9 to Adventure | Challenge accepted Riders are ready to try longer, tougher routes, obstacles – Dynamic body movement implemented on off-road obstacles – Comfortable to take on short road sections in a group – Can tackle hurdles – Road group riding skills, including signals – Long, technical descents – Can choose a good line – Race awareness |
Club events
We aim to offer two club race days a year (during summer and autumn) to give our junior members a chance to get a taste of racing and wearing a medal. We will also be running ‘festival type’ events to encourage more people to try different types of riding.
Challenge and social opportunities
We will encourage riders and families to join events which provide fun and social environments, including the Battle on the Beach, Tour of Pembroke Sportive and The Wild Boar Chase.
Racing
We will encourage riders to take part in events such as the Welsh Cycling Cyclocross League and Mountain Bike Cross County League. We will support riders who want to compete but most importantly the focus is on enjoyment and development.
More importantly, we will also be the loudest club at events!
The club predominantly rides off road and does not offer cycling proficiency.