New Cycling Development Coach at Bedgebury Forest

The Forestry Commission at Bedgebury Forest in Kent has recently appointed Ollie Ireland as its first Cycle Development Coach.

Ollie is developing off-road Cycling activities and providing coaching and 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.

Ollie has made a great start in his role, delivering excellent Cycling sessions for children during the Easter holidays. One parent expressed their appreciation and said “My children thought it was brilliant and have already asked if they can go again. From the little I saw I could tell that the children were in good hands. The balance between learning and fun seemed perfect. The price was incredibly good (the safety check alone is worth that)".

The Bedgebury website has details of Ollie's half term coaching sessions and Summer Holiday Clubs - www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury or email oliver.ireland@forestry.gsi.gov.uk