Cycling is, in its simplest form, pretty straightforward. Most of us learn when we are young, but lose touch when a car becomes the go-to for getting around. With this drop-off in time spent on two wheels, it’s easy to lose the key cycling skills you would have developed without even knowing. This makes it harder to:
– signal with one hand off the handle bars
– look around you while moving
– manoeuvre around tight corners or through small spaces
– get on and off your bike
– feel confident around other road users
Sound familiar?
The great news is, it’s easy to learn or get these skills back – plus you can have fun, get fit and make friends in the process.
Hello Velo! skills sessions
Over the course of five weeks, we will progress through simple skills exercises to get you feeling confident on your bike. These women-only sessions for ages 16 to… (there’s no limit!) will be tailored to the techniques you want to develop, with the aim of making you feel comfortable to ride anywhere you want.
All of the activities will take place on a traffic-free tarmac area, where the focus will be on road cycling skills. It’s BYOB (bring your own bike – and helmet), with road, hybrids, mountain bikes and ebikes all welcome. We will of course be following all of the necessary Coronavirus guidelines that are valid at the time – plus you will be refunded for all remaining dates if the course needs to be cancelled.
The sessions are designed for women who can already ride but want to banish any cycling gremlins and improve their overall ability. All activities will be low-speed with a ‘no silly questions’ and ‘no fitness tests’ approach.
Want to know who will be coaching you? Get to know me, here. And below are some kind words and images from previous courses and group rides (hover over to stay on one of the slides for longer).
"This was a great course for learning or brushing up on key skills for cycling. Sarah was very welcoming and friendly, putting me at ease - I felt I could ask any questions without feeling silly!
After doing the course I feel more confident when out cycling, which is what I was looking for from the course, and have learnt skills to improve my cycling."
"I would really recommend this course. I learned lots and my confidence has improved hugely. I am planning on starting to cycle to work now - something I wouldn't have considered before the course."
"It’s not an exaggeration to say that attending Sarah’s cycling skills course has totally changed my opinion on my ability to cycle; it’s given me the confidence to know I can, and has made me want to cycle as much as possible.
I started the course knowing how to ride a bike generally, but with little confidence in maneuvering, signalling and other skills. I wanted to improve to have enough confidence to go out cycling on trails with my young children as they learn to ride, but I’ve finished the course knowing I can cycle on roads, and for longer distances."
"I was very nervous at the start and wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing. But after my first class I was looking forward to it. Sarah is so calm and patient with all of us and I have a made some nice friends in the group.
I feel move confident about cycling now... just need to practice more. Would definitely recommend this course as it is relaxing and you definitely will improve your cycling."
Dates, location and cost
Courses typically run for five weeks during the spring and summer months, starting at 6:45 and finishing at 8pm. All sessions take place at Ivy Bank Primary School (see map).
Booking
The current course is fully booked and underway. To register your interest for future courses, please complete the form below or email me at emailopopop@gmail.com.