On track for BMX club

Published 14 Sep 2009 10:00 0 Comments

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PLANS for a BMX club at the track in Katesgrove's Waterloo Meadows are picking up speed.

Reading's official cycling champion Helen Biggerstaff and volunteers Jack Meek, James Lipscombe and Sam Parkinson hope a fortnightly drop-in session can begin within a couple of weeks.

Mr Meek, 26, a professional trials rider who demonstrates extreme manoeuvres at competitions and displays around the world, said: "All the riders are spreading the word about the track now and more and more people come down."

He began doing bike tricks at 16 before attending events and competitions, and has been a professional trial rider for six years, mainly through agency Inertia Shows which supplies riders for adverts and events.

Mr Meek, who moved into Elgar Road in April, said: "I'm passionate about riding, passionate about passing on my knowledge to the younger generation and hoping to see it through and watch it grow into a successful BMX club."

The track was given a £15,000 facelift earlier this year through the Big Lottery Fund's Playbuilder scheme and now Ms Biggerstaff hopes it will be a base both for the BMX club and other cycling groups.

The club has been affiliated to the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC) and is currently processing the volunteers' mandatory Criminal Records Bureau checks and arranging coaching training.

Ms Biggerstaff, of CTC, said: "We haven't got anything like this club for BMX-ing in Reading, the kids are doing it on the street. We hope to engage children in south and central Reading."

Plans for a BMX track in Paddick Drive in Lower Earley were eventually given the go-ahead last month after a battle between teenagers who welcomed it and neighbours who feared it would attract trouble.

Visit www.sportreading.co.uk or call Helen Biggerstaff on 0118 901 5713.

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 10 Sep 09

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