2007 Youth Cycling Clinic & Learn-To-Race Series - Users Guide:

Who is this designed for ?

Youth grades 3 through 10, boys and girls; All levels of physical fitness.

This 8-week program teaches cycling skills, safety, bike maintenance, and bike racing skills via grass and gravel-road racing.

It is our goal that the kids to have fun, build confidence, learn some skills and some basic bike maintenance, feel what it is like to race and go home smiling. All will experience success on a variety of levels and will leave with greater self-esteem, discover potential within themselves and hopefully a desire to race.

Duration:

8 weeks starting Thursday, May 3rd at 7 pm.

Basis of program:

This program is built upon Midweek’s successful adult learn-to-race program plus programs run by other Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia cycling organizations. Skills elements of CanBike, Velo Quebec and SprocKids form the core of the program.

Location:

On the grass and gravel roads of Centennial Park in Etobicoke (see map below), specifically on the west side of the ski hill near the lake and south of the go-karts and model airplane flying oval. The terrain is flat, grassed and the roads are a nice hard-pack dirt but with little gravel (so when kids fall, as they will, it will be a softer landing). There is a pavilion with washrooms and parking.

Equipment:

type of bike:

Their own (safe) bike of any type. It can be bmx, mountain, coaster, road or some combo.

mandatory equipment:

CSA approved helmet and a good pair of running shoes (cycling shoes are not needed).

recommended equipment:

Cycling gloves, a rain jacket, a bike multi-tool and tire-levers. The gloves are to protect their hands when they fall and the multi-tool and tire levers are for the maintenance side of the clinic (fixing tires, adjusting cables and other basic maintenance.)

Cost & Registration:

$99 for 8 weeks (tax receipt supplied). Fee includes special kids membership to Midweek Cycling Club, an OCA Kid’s Citizen Permit (ie. insurance) and all 8 week’s applicable activity fees that we charge members. (Sorry no refunds.)

Registration can be done online at the OCA's Event Registration page.

Instructor to Participant Ratio:

The goal is 5 participants for every instructor. Instructors are, or were competitive cyclists, all members of the OCA. Some have coaching certificates.

Rain, bad weather:

It will rain at least once during the 8 week program. We will use the opportunity to teach and practice bad weather riding and racing skills. Parents are requested to attend these evenings, bring towels and be prepared for a shorter program. (Sorry, no refunds or make-up dates for bad weather.)

Course Content:

Basic Skills:

Clothing and helmet fit; Cycling etiquette; Traffic proofing, rules of road; Looking ahead; Riding at night (safety); Food and hydration; Warming up; Carrying the bike

Riding skills:

Riding positions; Bike handling skills; Cornering; Braking; Choosing a line; Single file, pace line; Riding in pairs; Riding in a group; Changing lead; Rain/bad weather riding

Racing skills training:

Rider contact; Bike handling drills; Overtaking skills and etiquette; Sprinting and accelerating; Climbing and descending; Riding different surfaces; Pedal stroke

Basic bike maintenance:

Tool kit; Bike check; Flats, changing and patching; Brakes (adjustment); Cleaning and oiling your bike; Gearing & gear change; Wheels (tires, spokes, hubs); Chain adjustments and changing; Derailleurs; Pedals and cleats

Skills games include:

Riding a straight line; Bunny hops; Riding up hills; Riding down hills; Fast stops; Figure 8’s; Single and double slalom

Fun grass and dirt track races:

Time Trial; Sprint; Pursuit; Miss and out; Mass distance; Cyclo-cross