New cycle coach at Bedgebury

The Forestry Commission at Bedgebury Forest in Kent has recently appointed Ollie Ireland as its first ever Cycle Development Coach. Ollie is developing off-road cycling activities and providing coaching & leading to schools, youth and disabled groups. He is also running holiday off-road skills clubs for 5 to 15 year olds.

This initiative is the result of a unique partnership between the Forestry Commission, Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club, Sport England, British Cycling, Frontier Support Services, Kent Sport, Sussex School Sports, Tunbridge Wells Learning Disability Partnership and Quench Cycles. Its aim is to build relationships with the community and maintain and develop cycle skills and facilities for all.

"I'm passionate about mountain biking." Says Ollie, who is an inner city London teacher as well as a CTC qualified off-road cycle coach. "I want to make the thrills and skills of mountain biking accessible to as wide a range of people as possible".

Apart from increasing access to the trails at Bedgebury, Ollie aims to work closely with Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club to improve the singletrack and freeride facilities at Bedgebury, with the possible addition of a pump track, 4 cross and black-graded singletrack.

The Bedgebury website has details of Ollie's Easter coaching sessions and Summer Holiday Clubs - www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury (click on Cycle Coaching) or email oliver.ireland @ forestry.gsi.gov.uk.