Cycling
About Cycling
Cycling is one of the most versatile activities that people can participate in as a bicycle can be used as a means of transport, be ridden for fun, leisure and recreational purposes or can be used in a number of different types of competition.
There is a vast range of cycles available for different purposes and many of them are used at grass roots level through to Olympic events.
British Cycling is the national governing body for cycle sport in the UK. It works throughout the sport - from delivering Olympic medals to encouraging people to get on a bike for the first time and helps everyday cyclists enjoy riding more through the Everyday Cycling scheme.
British Cycling encourages and develops children’s cycling talents through its development programme called Go-Ride. Great Britain is the number one Track Cycling Nation in the World.
Local Info
There are approximately 17 cycling clubs in Sussex with 6 of them part of British Cycling’s Go-Ride programme which are focused on developing the skills and abilities of young riders. These can all be found at British Cycling’s ‘Club Finder’ menu on their website, www.britishcycling.org.uk
Brighton has its very own velodrome in Preston Park which is unique in shape and size and is probably the oldest in the country. Clubs meet here for training and racing sessions and during the summer, Wednesday evenings provide a picnic atmosphere for the Sussex Cycle Racing League - the home of Junior World Champion, Peter Mitchell.
Different types of racing also take place at Angmering Raceway, Bexhill BMX Track, Hellingly Cycle Speedway, Hove Park, Stanmer Park and Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit.
Womens Cycling Participation
British Cycling is currently conducting some research into female participation to determine why fewer women are cycling. Please click here for the news story and an opportunity to have your say.
Local Contacts
VC Jubilee (Shoreham) - www.vcjubilee.co.uk
Preston Park Youth CC (Brighton) - www.ppycc.org.uk
Crawley CC - www.crawleycyclingclub.com
In Gear Development Squad (Crawley) - www.ingeardevelopmentsquad.com
Cycle Development Coach based at Bedgebury Forest (see more below)
Oliver Ireland
oliver.ireland@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
07769 235523
National Contacts
Roy Page - British Cycling Regional Development Manager, South East:
T: 07793 660480
E: roypage@britishcycling.org.uk
Rules of the Game
Generally the first across the finish line is the winner however it depends very much on the cycling discipline and type of race.
Variations on the above include some track racing events which are points based, like the ‘Madison’ which is quite a complex race. Also some events may be a race against the clock such as a time trial based on the track or on the road. Large road races known as ‘Stage Races’, such as the Tour de France, are also time based for the overall winner but have different points competitions included in them.
Other variations include Cycle Speedway which is a team event where riders score points for their position in a number of ‘matches’ against another team throughout an afternoons racing.
Cycle Development Coach
Based at Bedgbury National Pinetum and Forest, Ollie Ireland is the Cycle Development Coach responsible for developing recreational activities and providing coaching to schools and disabled groups/individuals in Kent and North East Sussex. Working closely with the Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club, he builds relationships with the community and helps to maintain and develop facilities.
Email: oliver.ireland@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 07769 235523
Course and events are run throught the year, in particular during the school holidays.
