Children’s cycling programme gains momentum
Six children from Biking MAD Kidz, at The Urban Ruins in Boksburg, took part in the Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge Kiddies Ride and Mountain Bike Ride held on Saturday, November 7.
This was their first race after months of training and being taken through their paces by their coach and Boksburg triathlon star Lauren Dance.
The Urban Ruins project is a non-profit social entrepreneur venture taken on by Leigh and Julie Hudson-Ingle, to uplift children in the community of Boksburg.
Based in Plantation, the Ruins serves as a day shelter and an education centre, providing a safe environment for youngsters to learn, play and grow.
Recently, cycling was included into their programme.
Mike Moriarty (coach and conditioning expert of MAD Multisport) and Dance developed the cycling programme, Biking MAD Kidz, inside the Urban Ruins to provide the children with the opportunity of experiencing the freedom and joy of cycling.
The project was started in July with Moriarty and Dance coaching and mentoring the children, teaching them technique, etiquette, and safety on the roads. With the help of community members and some sponsors, the children have a few bikes that they ride every day.
The Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge was selected as the first race for the children and as the first fund-raising event for the Biking MAD Kidz programme.
The traditional Momentum 947 Cycle Race saw 35 cyclists riding in the charity bond to raise money for the Urban Ruins and the cycling initiative.
“The children who took part did exceptionally well,” said Dance.
“They finished well up in their respective fields and showed great potential and enthusiasm; we will now be looking to expand the project and get more kids doing more races in 2016.”
Anyone interested in knowing more about The Urban Ruins and the Biking MAD Kidz project can contact Dance at laurendance.urbanruins@gmail.com. – @SabeloBoksburg
