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National Standards Cycle Training at Caldicot 2009




 These young cyclists had the wheels, wore the helmets – some even had the gloves! Now it was time to get the training.

The predicted barbeque weather (well, have you ever been to a barbeque when it was fine!?) was the backdrop for “how to cycle in all weather conditions”.

With the support of the fire fighters at Caldicot Fire Station, PCSO Amanda Yung and the expertise of members of Cycle Training Wales, these young cyclists had the benefit of training many adults would do well to heed.

The course, the first to run in Monmouthshire

• Tested their skills in cycle control
• Showed the importance of wearing the right gear with tips on adjusting cycle helmets
• Gave a crucial demonstration in cycle maintenance (alas, some bicycles were deemed unroadworthy).

all before tackling the biggest hurdle of all – cycling in traffic.

Road sense and common sense were the building blocks of this no-nonsense experience. Control and observational skills were tested to the limit and these young road users were not found wanting.

Alexander Punt aged 10 from Magor VA Primary School, wrote:

“I enjoyed most was riding around Caldicot and learning more about the road…dodging parcked cars, going through the middle of speed bumps and signiling to the cars behind”.

adding

“I mostly enjoyed the sun yesterday!


Well, you can’t win them all! Hopefully, the copious cups of hot chocolate at the Fire Station would have gone some way to compensate.