Recent Nightrider Event is a big success

From the British Cycling website http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/go-rideracing/article/goride20110131-Nightrider-event-is-a-great-success-0

Wednesday 19^th January Nottingham 7.00pm and a full moon is hanging low in the night sky on a cold clear evening. A beam of light appears in the distance growing nearer followed by another and then another, they become brighter and draw closer and faster until they are upon us. Rushing by they are gone, bike and rider lost to the darkness again. This is Nightrider, Go-ride Racing nocturne style.

East Midlands Coach Steve Crosland has been working with Abbey Road Primary School in West Bridgford Nottingham for a couple of months, and has created real enthusiasm for cycling amongst the children in school years 5 and 6. Assisted by Club Coach Jenny Harwood from local club Nottingham Clarion, the pair have been coaching at the school for the past 10 weeks. During which time the children have experienced most aspects of bike handling and racing skills.

Steve said “ The school staff have been very supportive of us coming into school and coaching all day, we work with 60 children every Wednesday, and have discovered a goldmine in terms of cycling talent.” Steve went on to say “ I’m hopeful that a high percentage of children who have taken part in the BC coaching and racing will take the next step and join their local cycling club, and continue to enjoy racing”

There was a great atmosphere at the Nightrider which saw 44 young riders under 16 turn out to take part in the first event of its kind for Go-ride Racing. Each rider had two opportunities to race over 2 to 5 laps depending age, followed by an Italian Pursuit which saw 33 riders on the course at the same time!

Three teams battled it out over eleven laps of the 600m circuit with the Blue team being victorious and rounding off a great evenings racing.

Despite the course being pitch black in most places few crashes resulted, in fact no more than a race held in daylight hours. Another Nightrider is planned for Wednesday 2^nd February at Abbey Road School and the organisers are expecting an even bigger turn out from local riders, but don’t forget your bike lights!

The following article is by kind permission of Go-Rider Evie Fletcher:

Wednesday Night Cycling

Shivering on the start line I waited anxiously for the whistle to blow. With an ear piercing sound from the whistle we all shot off from the start line like a bunch of  rockets. Zooming round the course on our bikes hoping we would not fall off. The tension started to build higher and higher. With a nail biting finish the race was over in a blink of an eye. Breathlessly we walked from the finish line to hand our bikes to someone else. Once again the racers felt a shiver go down their spine as they waited patiently for the whistle to blow. You could hear the sound of the supporters teeth chattering in the cold night air. Finally the whistle blew and off like a shot they went racing round the course. Then each racer taking their place as they crossed the finish line. Finally we had the last race, it was called an Italian Pursuit. Unfortunately the red team got disqualified, but well done to the blue and yellow teams for coming first place and second place in the race. After that the coaches finished with a presentation.  The lucky winners went home with a little prize for coming in first, second and third.