Junior Cycling Camp
Update from the Junior Cycling Camp, Ruth and Jonathon Jarman held, in the second week of the School holidays.
Kia ora everyone
We had a great cycling camp in the Hokianga this week. Both Ruth and I had a lot of fun!
Thanks to the Marsden Wheelers Road Cycling Club for financial assistance, Mandy from A’fare Function and Reception Lounge in Whangarei for a large donation of yummy food, Grant for driving the sag wagon, and Roger who entertained us with his obsession with snakes.
There were 13 junior cyclists from Northland, Auckland and New Plymouth. The average age was 14 years old with a range between 11 years and 17 years. Some of the cyclists were the best in New Zealand and some had only recently started cycling.
Over the four days we practiced hill climbing, pacelines, descending and skills such as bumping and looking after your bike. We saw a dramatic improvement and on Thursday everyone managed to climb the 340 metres up to Tane Mahuta in the Waipoua Forest.
We tried to wear them out with rides and “chocolate fish” races each day but these kids were very gutsy! At 9.00pm on the final night they were still outside playing soccer!
We hope to repeat it next year. So please tell all your cycling friends.
Quote for the day from Eddie Merckx: “Don’t buy upgrades, ride up grades”.
Jonathan
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