Remember the rhyme “Rain, rain go away”? It was what almost all the kids were singing this weekend but with a little twist: all of them wanted to race. All the anxious prayers of parents and kids who were participating in the premier edition of the Rewheelution Students Cycling Fest, a district-level cycling competition were answered when the sun shone bright on Sunday morning.
The action started early with youngsters competing in two courses of 400m and 1km in circuit racing format, where the winner is the first rider to cross the line after the completion of a specified number of laps. Once the riders checked in with their numbers, they were briefed about the design of the course and safety guidelines to be adhered to on the track. This was followed by a warm-up and stretching session led by the physiotherapy team from Ortho One.
The feel around the start line was electrifying and getting the enthusiastic participants to wait for the countdown was a real challenge for the volunteers. The kids were led through a trial lap so that they could assess the track and then regrouped at the start line. The bikes comprised all shapes and sizes, with the serious amateurs riding their nimble road bikes and the amateur children handling rugged mountain bikes, hybrids and city bikes.
The event started with the races for the 14 and 15 year olds, which saw kids training with the Coimbatore District Cycling Association battle it out as teams. “The kids have immense potential and we just need to give them adequate exposure and opportunities to exhibit their skills. The event, being run in a closed and secure environment, greatly benefits the riders by avoiding road distractions and hazards,” said Krishnamoorthy, Secretary CDCA, who was heading the results and timing team.
Three wheels but grimly determined
The highlight was the race for kids aged between four and five years, which attracted close to 75 boys and girls riding in two categories. The tricycles and trainer wheels did not dampen either the energy or enthusiasm levels. The 800m race saw almost all the contestants finish with wide smiles without any fuss. “I was at the Bandana Station at the track exit where we received the finishers and rewarded them with bandanas. Looking at the kids beaming with joy on completing was a fulfilling experience. A sea of smiles hit us in waves every 45 minutes,” quipped Sowmi.
Ellameshwari, the mother of Shiv Vainav who participated in the 8-9 years boys category, felt that this competition was “good motivation for my son. He has been riding for couple of years now and is keen on pursuing cycling as a sport.”
Members of the Western Valley Cycling Club also participated in the tournament. “We are team of a dozen adults who catch up for cycling in the mornings and have been exploring options for our kids too. We came, we rode, had fun and, in the process, won a couple of prizes too,” said Robert, a ride leader for the Club. A weekend well invested it was”, states Robert, one of the ride leaders for the Western Valley Cycling Club, that rides the tracks and trails on the fringes of the city.
The Rewheeltution Students Cycling Fest aims to be a catalyst for a healthy future by promoting cycling among kids. A leaner, greener and healthier future is just a pedal stroke away...
Rewheelution facts
Around 440 kids participated in the tournament organised by Trysports
The courses included the Kids Loop, 800m for Fantastic 4 and 5 and the Main Loop, 1 km
Event categories for boys and girls included the Fantastic 4 & 5; the Sprightly 6 & 7; the Energetic 8 & 9; the Bubbly 10 & 11; the Perky 12 & 13 and the Fiery 14 & 15
