NW Wales is most famous for road racing and mountain biking as there aren't yet any facilities for speedway or track cycling in the area.
The Welsh Cycling Union run the Welsh National Mountain Bike Series and The Dragon Road Racing Series, both of which take advantage of NW Wales' great cycling terrain regularly throughout the year. There are usually races for juniors, women, men and veterans in the same event.
Jon Harland is the North Wales Cycling Development Officer for Welsh Cycling.
"My work includes encouraging young people to cycle and helping to set up cycling clubs.
I go to schools in the area to help run the Go-Ride scheme for schoolchildren, often in conjunction with suitable local clubs. It's not really like the old Cycling Proficiency scheme, though we do include some cycling safety as well as teaching cycling skills. We reinforce the fun and enjoyment elements which cycling can bring to young lives. They get a certificate and a year's membership of Welsh Cycling at the end of it.
We also try to make the link between those schools and the local cycling clubs for all disciplines. I'm working on the 'Go Ride' scheme to encourage more clubs to cater for younger cyclists".
Details of your local club, plus many other aspects of cycle sport in Wales can be found at the Welsh Cycling website at www.welshcycling.co.uk or contact me on 07816825691."
Iwan Marshall works with the Urdd to set up cycling clubs amongst their members.
"Some schools like Blaenau Ffestiniog have over 200 members of the Urdd and it would be great to help them set up their own cycling club.
If anyone needs my help setting up a club, contact me on iwn.marshal@btconnect.com
I also work with the Wales Talent Team. We test about 12,000 school pupils each year to ultimately find the best dozen who could be potential future champions. Those chosen are given bikes, clothing, top coaching and are introduced to cycle racing.
I'm also a member of Energy Cycle, Llanberis. There are definitely plus points to being a member of a club - it can be boring cycling on your own. You can race in a club, or just go along for the social side of it, and learn lots from other cyclists.
During the season, from spring to autumn, the club arranges one or two rides a week. There are a few during the winter, and we also go on the 'turbo-trainer' to keep fit.
There are different kinds of clubs, so it's good to check them out first. Some cater for more serious cyclists, others cater for beginners. Energy Cycle have rides on Sundays which go at the pace of the slowest rider - no one gets left behind."
Not in a club but fancy a cycle ride?
Click here to discover your nearest cycle route.
your comments
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I Stewart, Blaenau Ffestiniog
Sadly Jon Harland and his fellow coaches employed by Welsh Cycling appear to be being made redundant as Welsh Cycling have got into funding difficulties. Will all of the good work which has been done over the last few years grind to a complete halt just as we should be bringing on new talent in the run up to 2012?
Mon Apr 27 10:42:36 2009
Ian Price
I have found a medal presented to W.Barber of the Dragon Racing Club, on 25.6.33 for a 50 mlis Tandem Racecompleted in 2hours 7 min 34 seconds. Could you tell me more about the rider or how to gain the information?
Fri Jul 4 10:28:03 2008
Gareth,Ynys Mon
I'm a member of Holyhead Cycling Club. We are the longest established club in the area and we welcome new members from all aspects of cycling from the novice to experienced cyclist. A warm welcome will be given to all.
Tue Mar 25 10:23:38 2008
jane villiage on anglesey
I would like to see more people in cars giving way to lone and group cyclists, they have no respect for you and just pull out across your path coursing you to brake. My husband cycles 10 miles to work in all weathers and there seems to be more and occations where there are near misses. I cycled it my self in the summer and fould cars will not giving enough room while over taking, lorrys speeding passed, I even had a crosvill bus pulled in front of me on the round about and i had to brake, i was my right of way, they just do not care.
I do ware a helmet but we need armer protection. we go out as a family in the lines but the speed they go, i do not know which roads are worse.
Thu Nov 15 09:42:39 2007
r. Neil McKenzie, Llandudno resident
I am staggered by the apparent environmental irresponsibility of Conwy Council in opposing safe cycling in the area of Llandudno's North Shore. Our Government and Assembly are totally committed to reducing global warming and are trying to encourage everyone to play our part to reduce pollution. One way is to cut the use of cars, especially in town centres which are often clogged by vehicles either crawling in jams, or totally stationary in gridlock - as Llandudno motorists are discovering in (car) Parc Llandudno.
Successful town centre pedestrianisation (with access for cyclists) seems to be sproutin! g everywhere except Llandudno which is crying out for it. But where are Conwy Council's green credentials? Rather than encouraging safe cycling in Llandudno they are continuing to behave like anti-cycling reactionaries.
The congested streets in the North Shore area are utterly unsafe for cyclists of all ages, and simply force cyclists off the road.
I have no axe to grind, but when will this car tyranny end?
Mon Jan 8 10:16:21 2007
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