Created by John Holman, Assistant Coach, National Cycling Centre Hamilton, in consultation with Debbie Sprentz, Curriculum Consultant, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

Preface: The National and World Road championships are coming to Hamilton this June and October respectively. In June, many schools host play days to engage kids in exciting, active, social opportunities. Incorporating one or a combination of any of the stations listed below in a play day would help to increase awareness of the sport of cycling as well as awareness of this world class event.

Participants will:

Participate actively

Be exposed to the sport of cycling and Canada's National athletes

Demonstrate proper and safe cycling behaviours

Assemble a bicycle and understand the various parts

Develop an awareness of the events in the community

It is also important that everyone can participate. There can be different models of delivery, however it would be ideal if the activities were presented in a non-competitive manner, where everyone wins, and is able to participate.
Physical activity should be incorporated into as many activities as possible. Your imagination is the only limitation. Each station should be about 15-30 mins in duration. There could be a "grab bag" style item where the kids would design their own cycling bag, which they would take from station to station. This bag would be a place for each participant to store items.


Outline of Events:

Station: Relay Event

Goal: To teach tactile skills required for maintaining and building a bicycle. Increase physical activity level, and develop teamwork skills to complete the task.

Required props: Two complete bicycles with seat quick releases, front and rear quick releases, method of stabilizing bikes (i.e. Bike stand)

Description: Divide group into two teams. Place bikes on rack or stand a good distance away from start area (25 m.). Show group how to shift gears to prepare to remove wheels, undo brakes, remove wheels, seats, water bottles, or any other things. Have the group line up and then send one person from each team to do only one task to the bike (i.e. Shift gears, disconnect brakes, remove wheel, etc...). They tag off to their teammates, and continue to disassemble the bikes until all objects required are off the bike. When each bike is disassembled, have the teams re-assemble the parts removed from the bike.

Variations: Include a circuit of physical activities, (e.g., burpee's, jumping jacks) enroute to the bike

Point recognition: You could award points to the team who removes the most number of parts, and replaces them.

Station: Rules of the road / Obey the signals

Goal: Increase physical activity, while educating kids on the rules of the road and proper application of the rules.

Required props: None, option of coloured vests for teams, or person running event (Safety vest)

Description: Divide group into teams. Assign coloured vests to one team. Give a brief description of the proper rules of the road. Stress the points of riding defensively, predictably, and the proper use of signals while on the road. Note that bicycles are considered vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act, and the same rules apply to bicycles, as cars. Give a demonstration of the signals to be used during the event (left, right, stop). Have kids line up on one end of field. Have cones placed on the field. At each cone place a card that indicates whether the kids need to signal left, right or stop. They have to make it to the other end of the field and back. They tag off to the next person in the group and go through the cones as well.

Variations: Include cards for physical activities (e.g., burpee's, pushups, jumping jacks) or have a person do a red rover style calling of what the participant must do. (i.e. signal stop, left, right, or no signal means go, and call out 10 burpees, jumping jacks etc...) You could also include your community liaison officer to discuss road safety.

Point recognition: Award points to the team who completes the course a certain number of times, or have them grab flags at opposite end and whoever can retrieve the most flags, gets points based on the number retrieved.

- More Information: Bicycle Safety


Station: Cycling Specific Awareness

Goal: Educate and involve kids in cycling specific warm-up and stretching routines.

Required props: Mats may be required depending on event location.

Description: Describe the importance of doing a proper warm-up. Get blood moving prior to exercise and increase range of motion to prevent injuries. Have the group perform a fartlek activity (i.e. run for 5-7mins easy, and include some variable exercises, like sit-ups, push-ups, jumping jacks, burpees etc...). This will increase their circulation rate, and improve blood flow. Once they have warmed up, run through some stretches. Stretches range from hamstring, quadriceps, lower torso, adductors, hip flexors and gluteus, neck, shoulders, arms and wrists, and upper back.

Variation: There could be handouts of cycling specific stretches the kids could take with them at the end of the day in their bag. Not advisable to give them out at the station.


Station: Helmet Fitting

Goal: Create awareness among the kids about proper helmet fit and how to be sure their helmet fits properly. Identify the safety aspects of proper helmet fit.

Required props: Mannequin heads from a wig shop or disposable shower caps for students to wear, two or more helmets (contact retailer to see if they could supply some demo helmets for this station).

Description: Have groups work on helmet fit with the mannequin heads. Discuss the proper fit of a helmet and show kids how to adjust straps. This station could also incorporate a right/wrong helmet fit sheet for the kids to complete. There could be a series of pictures with proper fit, poor fit, etc... Kids would have to circle the correct fit.

Variations: This station could also be integrated into a relay template and incorporate a kinesthetic learning component. Kids could work on their own helmet fit if they bring their own helmets to the station. You could contact a local retailer, like Canadian Tire, to see if they have some coupons for helmets (i.e. save 15% or $10 off etc...) or see if they would be able to donate a few helmets and have a draw at the end of the play day. This could be a spirit award for the most spirited team etc...

- More Information: Bicycle Helmet Checklist


Station: Athlete Inspiration (Rest Area)

Goal: Create awareness of Canadian athletes, or inspirational stories from cyclists.

Required props: National team cycling cards, video of Canadian athletes in action (i.e. Any Olympic coverage, world championships, National Cycling Association posters, etc...)

Description: Have kids enter a gymnasium, or class room, or a rest station in a shaded area, where they could receive drinks, refreshments, and get out of the sun if it is a sunny day. Provide opportunities for students to examine and discuss cycling articles, memorabilia, or current athletes.

Variations: This station can be geared to any cycling event. It would be ideal to highlight Canadian athletes, but could highlight the Tour De France, and Lance Armstrong. Notes could be made about Steve Bauer who raced at the Tour and wore the Yellow Jersey. Steve is a local resident and could be contacted to come in and talk to the group.


For further cycling specific information or resources contact:
National Cycling Centre, Hamilton
John Holman, Assistant Coach
Rm B123 Ivor Wynne Centre
McMaster University
1280 Main St. West
Hamilton, Ontario, CANADA
L8S 4K1
(905)-525-9140 Ext.27783