Cycling

Cycle Track

Built back in 1958 for the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Better Maindy Centre’s cycle track is 460m in length.

Regularly used by clubs such as Maindy Flyers Junior Cycling Club who trained the 2018 Tour De France winner, Geraint Thomas, the cycle track has been a popular outdoor facility in the Cardiff area.

Visitors to the centre can use the track on a pay as you go basis from just £3.70 per person (dependant on availability) or your little ones can attend our sessions run on the track such as Balance Bikes and Junior Triathlon. Ensure you bring your own bike and safety gear! Groups and clubs are welcome to book out the track, please contact the centre for more information.

HEALTH BENEFITS
Cycling isn’t just a great hobby but also great for your fitness levels. It increases your cardio vascular fitness and improves your strength, flexibility, poster and coordination.

For more information about the cycle track at Better Maindy Centre please get in touch.

Contact us - Maindy@gll.org

Beginners – Balance Bikes

This session is for young children aged 2-5, who will have fun scooting around in a safe environment! Balance bikes are fantastic for developing children’s balance and basic skills to help them learn to ride alone quicker than using traditional stabilisers.


Over a few sessions, riders will be able to ‘scoot’ along quickly and - with practice - lift their legs off the ground. Each child will gain skills and confidence at different paces, but we look for children to be able to lift their feet of the ground and hold a straight line for around 5/6 seconds to make the next step - riding a bike with pedals – simple!


Children are welcome to use our balance bikes and use our helmets, or you can bring your own!

When: Tuesdays 4.30pm-5.30pm, bike hire included.

BOOK HERE

Beginners Level 1 – Can’t Ride Wont Ride

This session is for younger children who want to use their own bike with pedals to have fun scooting around in a safe environment! Using their own bike we will develop children’s balance and basic skills to help them learn to ride alone quicker.

We put our balance bike riders and can’t ride wont ride riders together over a few sessions and using the same coaching skills we develop them into the next level which is Learn to Ride.

When: Tuesdays 4.30pm-5.30pm

BOOK HERE

Beginners Level 2 – Learn to Ride

Taking the coach’s advice, the child will try the pedal bike for themselves with the coach supporting alongside. Once riding, the coach will teach them how to start all by themselves, then they can practice with parents while the coach supports other riders. The assistant coach will be on hand to ensure riders follow all they have been taught so far.

The process of moving from balance to pedals takes about 5 minutes per rider with one to one coaching, and the coach will be able to gauge when a child is ready and when to keep practicing on the balance bike. Riders must be confident on a balance bike or with their own pedal bike to take part in these sessions. We provide helmets, balance bikes and pedal bikes for this session, but children are welcome to bring their own.

When: Tuesdays 4.30pm-5.30pm (bike and helmet hire included)

BOOK HERE

Better Go Ride

This session is aimed at more confident riders aged 8 years+. Riders will enjoy more advanced coaching on bike control. This will include how to ride around corners, brake at different speeds, how to start and stop and have fun riding around a specific obstacle course focusing on a different skill set each week.


Children will have the opportunity to gain stickers and certificates, rewarding their cycling achievements.

When: Thursdays 4.30pm-5.30pm bike and helmet hire included

BOOK HERE

Rider Safety

Better Maindy Centre Velodrome - Rider Safety

  • Cycling helmets must be worn at all times
  • Cycling gloves must be worn at all times
  • Appropriate protective clothing must be worn at all times.
  • You must pay at reception before using the velodrome
  • You must cycle anti-clockwise.
  • No fixed wheel and freewheel at the same time.
  • All bikes must been in good working order.
  • No ball games are permitted when cycling activities are taking place.
  • All group cycling sessions must be accompanied with a qualified and accredited Welsh Cycling Coach

Better Maindy Centre BMX Track - Rider Safety

  • All riders must ride within their own ability on the BMX track.
  • Users must wear the appropriate clothing and safety protection and as a minimum this must include the following:
  • Helmets must be worn at all times
  • Cycling gloves must be worn at all times
  • Knee, Shin and Elbow pads must be worn at all times
  • Skateboards and Scooters are strictly prohibited.