Cycling

Cycling

What is it? 

Cycling is the practice of riding bicycles - although it originated as a practical means of transport, it is now one of the most popular recreational sports in the world, with over one billion bicycles present in the world today. Cycling can also refer to the riding of unicycles, tricycles and quadracycles, but those are much less common.

What does it involve?

The physical technique to cycling involves sitting astride the bicycle to operate the pedals, which in turn rotate the wheels and provide the forward movement of the vehicle, while the handlebars give the cyclist control over direction. While the basic form of the bike stays the same, sports bikes are often more lightweight and are designed to be as streamlined as possible, while mountain bikes have different gears the rider can switch between to assist with movement on steep slopes. 

Why do it and what are the benefits?

Cycling is a great form of exercise - it builds up general stamina and strength, and is greatly beneficial for the cardiovascular system. It's widely considered to be an excellent form of transport over short distances, and learning to cycle can save a lot of money on other means of getting around.

What equipment do we need?

Beyond the obvious need for a bicycle, you will need safety equipment that should include a helmet at the minimum. If you are taking a group of students to a specific activity provider then it's likely that they will provide a majority if not all of the needed equipment - make sure to check with them beforehand. 

Who is it suitable for?

Cycling is suitable for all ages! Very young/inexperienced cyclists can have stabilizers attached to their bikes to assist with learning, but everybody should have a go - the overwhelming popularity of the bicycle means its almost guaranteed one will have an opportunity to ride one in their life, so to learn the skill young would be a great idea. 

Costs?

The hire of cycling equipment may not be the cheapest, but the lessons themselves shouldn't cost too much money at all - the larger a group, the cheaper it will be per person. 

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

Beginner cyclists will need careful supervision, especially if practicing near roads!

How do we include?

There is a fair amount of independent movement in cycling, so those with severe physical disabilities may not be able to have a go on the traditional bike; check with your provider to see if they have modified bikes that you can use!

Doing it abroad?

Cycling is often one of the main methods of transport in many countries around the world due to the low operating costs and easy operation! Going on cycling trails abroad could be a fantastic idea, and a great way of travelling between places and admiring the landscape.

Main Organisations: 

British Cycling

National Cycle network run by Sustrans

More Dirt (Mountain Bike trails listings)

Venues with this Activity

Discover amazing island scenery, brilliant wildlife and quality teaching at FSC Millport. Millport offers residential and day field trips for all ages, linked to Curriculum for Excellence or all the England and Wales exam boards. All our courses are tailored to your requirements and our experienced staff will work with you to develop a course to suit you and your students.

Outdoor Activities & Outdoor Training throughout Derbyshire & Yorkshire

As an alternative education provider we deliver vocational programmes and courses at all levels.

We use learning outside of the classroom to help achieve successful outcomes. We have a range of programmes that are focused on qualifications as well as courses aimed at personal development and re-engagement. All of these courses prove popular with secondary schools across the region.

Two discrete centres within 26 acres of private woodland, surrounded by 200 acres of public woodland, overlooking the seaside town of Sheringham.

Hilltop primarily offers comprehensive outdoor educational opportunities to Primary and Middle schools and Sixth Form / Further Education Colleges.

Experience the Great Outdoors

Northumberland National Park Authority is a conservation organisation. National Park status is the highest form of landscape protection in the UK. Of the 11 National Parks in England and Wales, Northumberland is the most northerly, most remote from large urban areas, least visited and least populated.

We’re one of Norfolk’s leading outdoor providers to Schools. A Learning Outside the Classroom and LEA approved centre, our activities meet Key Stages 2 and 3 of the curriculum and make a real contribution to a young person’s development. There are lots of ways we can help you.

Riverside site of the sealing of Magna Carta

Seen by many as the birthplace of modern democracy, this picturesque open landscape beside the Thames was witness to King John's historic sealing of Magna Carta over 800 years ago on 15 June 1215.

One day is never enough. Discover a complete Norfolk estate with something for everyone.

Nobody ever forgets their first sight of Blickling. The breath-taking red-brick mansion and ancient yew hedges sit at the heart of a magnificent garden and historic park in the beautiful Bure meadows.

The story of the estate unfolds over a thousand years. The landscape with its hedges and narrow tree-lined lanes has changed little over the centuries and is quintessentially Norfolk. 

The perfect place to take a stroll or cycle ride, visitors can learn more about this feat of engineering by exploring the variety of information boards on the route. Or visit the skate park and children's play area. 

A link between the Bay and Penarth, it also forms part of the 10k Cardiff Bay Trail through ISV. Pick up a map at the Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre.

Support our charity whilst having fun! Right next to Doctor Who Experience - we have adults and children's bikes for hire, plus seats, tagalongs and buggies for family rides. Something different? Try our pedal cars and go-karts. Every hire helps!

Winning Tours is one of the leading worldwide sports tour operators in the UK. Our friendly and knowledgeable team specialise in tailor-making netball, hockey, football, cricket, rugby, rowing, tennis, swimming, dance and theatre, lawn bowls, educational, scouts and UK Inbound tours for schools.

Are you looking for amazing experiences, personal and team development or simply the chance to have a lot of fun?

A Go Karting and Quad Biking Centre, offering Junior options for kids aged 6 and up. A fun and exhilarating day out, supervised by experienced staff. Birthday parties available, plus Junior Race Academy.

Our extreme sports programme includes a huge range of exciting activities for children between the ages of 8 and 16. 

We run a full day starting from 9.30am - 4.30pm and we also offer free transport to the activity with minibus collection from several of our leisure centres. 

Widehorizons Bryntysilio Centre is set above the River Dee, situated in ten acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. We provide a broad programme of adventure activities including mountaineering, canoeing and mountain biking.

The Christian Adventure Centre at Viney Hill is here to provide you with the most amazing adventure activity experience available, either residentially or as a day visitor.

Standon Bowers is currently the largest of all our centres with accommodation for over 150 in the historic Victorian main building. Murray House is a separate and fully accessible facility on site which is ideal for smaller groups with a range of needs. 

Springboard Adventure manages the 180 acre Hetton Lyons Country Park on behalf of Sunderland City Council. Within a safe, exciting and engaging environment, we offer a wide range of outdoor, adventurous and environmental activities, successfully working in partnership with schools and youth organisations, as well as offering courses to the public.

Challenging Disability Through Outdoor Adventure

We know what we want - people to really love life, to delight in new experiences and to gain reward from being challenged. Why do our guests return to Calvert Trust Kielder year after year...exhilarating, exciting, challenging, life changing, inspiring, fabulous, wonderful...their words

Pennine Outdoor Pursuits is an award winning training organisation established in 1987 offering tuition in a variety of outdoor activities for all ages and abilities all over the country.

Teesoutdoors was created because we are passionate about quality services for young people , and the value of experience and informal learning as educational processes. Our projects are more than activities, they are about moving from dependence to independence, gaining and using skills, and personal development through reflection. 

Inspire adventure provide themed outdoor adventure activity days for families, hen and stag parties, adult social groups. Outdoor professional development courses are available for those wishing to expand their knowledge and skills in open canoeing, kayak, mountain biking, climbing and abseiling.

The Adventure Service uses the outdoor world and group volunteering opportunities to enable people to develop the skills to become more independent and confident. We offer a post 16 day service, outreach work services in schools and teambuilding and adventure days for organisations and group homes.

 

West View Project has existed since 1980 when a group was formed by a group of residents who wanted to create somewhere children in the local area could play safely.

We are based in Dunkeld, Perthshire and are able to cater for school & beginner groups, families, stags and hens, downhillers wanting uplifts with timing facilities, and even those looking for that epic day ride or bespoke training

A Trewern Course advances academic, personal and social education. Working in teams, students are presented with challenges relevant to all levels of education, the application of which is not easily demonstrated in the classroom.

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