MARIGOT--Velo Club de Sandy Ground (VCSG) is looking forward to a fresh start in 2018, restarting their training programmes for children and looking ahead to the racing season that starts in February.
Formed in April 2017, the new club had only been operating a few months before Hurricane Irma struck. To put it mildly it was a blow that knocked the island for six. The adage that if you fall off a horse you should get right back on again can certainly be applied to bicycles. Now Irma has been consigned to history and the club has regrouped its members, the majority of whom are children, from ages five or six and up.
“We lost about eight to 10 children after the hurricanes as their parents had to put them in schools in France, Guadeloupe or Martinique,” disclosed coach and Vice-President Patricio “Blade” Carty, whose own son Jahkim is now in a school and cycling club in France. “So, we are hoping to get more children involved in cycling. Last year we had about 50 children with four coaches, so it would be wonderful if we could get up to 80 or more kids.”
A group ride and practice are scheduled for this coming Sunday, January 7, in the car park opposite Carnival Village in Galis Bay at 7:00am. Everyone is invited, children and adults, for a one-and-a-half- to two-hour ride.
“It’s to see how many children we have, to start getting fit, to get everyone back in the mood for cycling after the hurricanes, without too much pressure,” explained Carty. “After Sunday the training will start on Wednesday with the small ones doing different drills. Training days are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Sunday is for adults and Saturday morning on the road for those 10-15 years, and Saturday afternoon in the car park for drills with the small kids.
“What’s important is to get the child comfortable on the bike. You can’t put them on the road straight away with all the cars that can make them nervous. Confidence is built by doing the drills and teaching bike handling, and teaching how the gears and brakes work.”
Carty added the club has now acquired a van to transport bicycles and gear which is a great help for training and going to races.
Training isn’t always about becoming a competent cyclist or competitive rider, Carty points out. Including an educational element is important too.
“We are trying to put some educational elements in place. Sport and education should go hand in hand. If we don’t make you into a bicycle rider, at least you can become a responsible citizen, and an example to other children. Discipline, morals, values, this is the bedrock of becoming a good citizen in society.”
The club thanked the following loyal sponsors for their generous support in 2017: Cabinet Antoine Assurance, Antoine BTP Land, Terrassements des Antilles, Location Bennes Survival, The Bridge Café, St. Martin Cars, Atlantic Signs, Quality Foods Catering, and VCSG Club.
“And we want to thank all our supporters and the parents for putting their trust in the coaches,” Carty concluded.
For more information about the club contact Patricio Carty (0690) 37.56.35 and Romeo Lake (0690) 22.23.39.
