Last updated 16:42, Thursday, 28 August 2008

As part of its development drive, Tyne Valley Cycling Club is offering a series of six one hour coaching sessions, free to non-members and members alike.

The sessions are aimed at existing riders of basic or intermediate ability who want to improve their skills in road riding.

Topics featured include bike set-up, pedalling technique, braking, cornering, climbing, descending and group riding.

Conducting the sessions will be club secretary Peter Scott, (above) already qualified as a level 2 British Cycling coach and currently enhancing his skills in order to achieve level 3 qualification.

These sessions form part of Peter’s development.

Thanks to the welcome support of Northumbrian Water, sponsors of the club’s annual prestigious Tour of the Reservoir Premier Calendar road race around Derwent Reservoir, Peter is able to use the private road across the Derwent dam wall as his traffic-free coaching venue.

It’s a beautiful venue with views across the reservoir to the west, the Derwent valley to the east and the fells around Muggleswick to the south.

The six sessions will be spread across three Saturdays – September 6, 13 and 20, from 9.30 am until noon each day.

The visitor centre and shop will be open for those needing sustenance!

Although the sessions are designed to suit road riding, mountain bikes and hybrids are perfectly suitable, as well as road bikes, as the techniques to be covered apply equally to most cycling disciplines.

Helmets with CE marking are compulsory and clothing should be suitable for cycling and appropriate for the likely weather conditions.

It can be windy and cool up there at times.

Men, women and youngsters are equally welcome, but under-18s will require parental consent.

Although intended to enhance riders’ skills, the sessions will be generally non-competitive, although sometimes a competitive game towards the end of a topic adds to the fun!

A high level of fitness is not required.

To take advantage of this offer contact Peter at scott.peter@metronet.co.uk or on (01661) 844762 (evenings) or 07887 643515 (days), or apply on-line at www.tynevalleycycling.co.uk