Reserve a place

GEARS – Bike Skills and Maintenance Holiday Club (HAF)

At GEARS children will learn to maintain and fix their bike as well as learn new biking techniques for off-road trails & on-road biking. The maintenance sessions are accredited by 'The Mountainbike Instructors Award Scheme' (MIAS) giving participants a formal record of their learning and something to add to future applications for jobs and further education.

We will give children transferable skills, increasing their self-confidence whilst providing inspiration for a potential career pathways in manufacturing, engineering, or the low carbon sector. Our courses are fully inclusive, challenging gender stereotypes. The age range is 13 - 16 years.

The day will run from 10am to 3pm, the morning is bike maintenance where children will learn to identify problems with their bike and make minor adjustments.

The afternoon session will be spent riding learning new bike techniques to use on off road trails & on road.

The sessions are led by a qualified cycle mechanic/cycling instructor with over 30 years’ experience working with young people in outdoor education and cycling, including Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and school Bikeability training.

** Bikes and helmets can be provided for the full days activities or if you prefer please bring your own roadworthy bike. Helmets must be worn for the cycling element of these sessions**

Morning 10 am - 12.30 am GEARS - Bike Maintenence

•      Introduction to tools, stands and working environment.
•      Bicycle Anatomy - identification of working parts 
•   Setting up a bike for different riders and styles of riding
•      Wheels and Tyres – tyre removal and repairs.
•      Wheels - Hubs, spokes and Rims.
•      Braking Systems – V brakes, Disc Brakes, cable and hydraulic systems.
•      Drivetrain Systems – Chains, Cassettes, Cranks, Pedals, Front and Rear Mechs.
•     Problem solving and fault finding.

Lunch 12.30 - 1.30 - All children will be offered the choice of a packed lunch or jacket potato with choice of filling.

Afternoon 1.30 - 3pm GEARS - Bike Skills

Trail riding skills, including:

•    braking
•    use of gears
•    cornering
•    balance
•    manual front wheel lift

Activities include: Off road cycling in Tudor Grange park including using the cycle track & commuter training on local roads including infrastructure.

Children should be able to confidently ride a bike to participate in bike skills sessions. Competency will be assessed in a off-road environment and will only progress on road if our qualified instructors deem trainee's competent. All cycle routes are planned and risk assessed before on-road activities commence.

At Gears we are fully inclusive and ask for parents to disclose SEND and medical conditions on booking with us. This will allow us to make the appropriate adjustments to allow learners to access our courses. Our tutors regularly work with children with SEND in our schools and bring a wealth of experience. If there are specific questions about support please email the team before booking.

Cost: £20 per day,

After booking you will be sent a payment link via email, payment should be made within 2 working days as places are limited.

HAF provision is free of charge, please email cycling@solihull.gov.uk to request a FREE booking link. You will be asked to provide your unique HAF code on booking if you are still awaiting this code it can be forwarded by email on receipt. Your child will not be able to attend our session if we do not have this code in advance of training.

Contact: For any questions please contact cycling@solihull.gov.uk

Please read our terms and conditions here.

Fee

£20.00

Venue

Tudor Grange Leisure Centre (indoor tennis courts)
Blossomfield Road,
B91 1NB

Sessions

• 20/08/2024 (10:00 - 12:30)
• 20/08/2024 (13:30 - 15:00)