When Cycle Woking asked youngsters at Goldsworth Primary School what would get them cycling more, they knew just the thing - their very own Mountain Bike (MTB) track. So, with a little bit of money and a lot of hard work, we made it happen.
The project was run by British Cycling Go-Ride coach, Alan Denman, who had been working with the school to boost cycling. Alan worked with the children in a series of after-school workshops to design the course, before setting to work building the track in the after-school cycle club and during half-term in February 2010.
"We wanted the children to feel that the track was their own, so while we gave them guidance on what features would help with the flow, it was entirely designed by them," Alan explained. "The children and some of their parents helped to build the track. It is great to see them out their enjoying it and becoming so enthusiastic about cycling."
Work started on the £1,500 track just before Christmas 2009 and it was finished in the February half term week, with parents and children mucking in to complete the project on time. A bridge section was constructed by specialist designers for the circuit, but the rest of the track was dug-out and crafted by the team.
Goldsworth Primary School, in Bridge Barn Lane, Woking, now hopes to be able to host inter-school competitions giving all children in the Borough a chance to benefit from the track.
For further information on the Go-Ride scheme visit the British Cycling website.