Caroline shows the way for keen young cyclists

Caroline shows the way for keen young cyclists

16 July 2014

A CROSSGAR mum is gearing up to help local children get on their bikes.

Caroline Adams, a former top cyclist with Cycling Ulster until a bad injury forced her off the road, is helping put a show on the road as part of the Crossgar Youth League Community Day on Saturday, August 2.

Caroline had a promising career marred by a serious injury when taking part in the Ras in Kerry four years ago and wants to put something back into the sport.

“I had an accident on the first day of the Ras, I had a head injury and was in a coma for a while. I also broke my collar bone a couple of ribs and was eventually moved to the Downe Hospital from Cork hospital.

“I am fully recovered now and do a bit of mountain biking and road racing with La Lantern Rouge in Loughinisland.

“I would dearly love to go around primary schools and coach kids and recruit new riders to our sport, raise the profile of cycling and develop stronger and better riders in the future.

“As part of the Crossgar Community Festival I will be taking kids from 6-11 years around the trails in Monastery grounds and showing them some new skills and how to handle a bike out on the open road.

“It all starts at 11am to 12 and I ask all children to bring their helmets which is very important. This is what we need, more cycling trails for kids as it’s more safer than being near the road. It’s going to be a great day.

“I am an experienced cyclist and was a volunteer for the World and Police Games and then the Giro Italia as well. I was also in the Mascot Team, run by Sport NI and Activ8 and Cycling Ireland, the programme was called Sprocket Rocket.

“We were coached by Heather Boyle from Cycling Ireland at the House of Sport in Belfast and she went through the basic skills required to ride a bike.

“The main aim is developing basic skills pedalling, balance, cornering and braking and this is what our aim was when we went around schools.

“The kids really enjoyed it and I took my mountain bike with me and I talked to the kids first and then we took them outside for skills.

“This is what I want to do, keep this ongoing after the Giro and go around primary schools and coach kids how to enjoy their bikes.”