About the club
Bigfoot Youth CC was formed in 2009 when it was initially called Bigfoot Go-Ride. The club is run by volunteers, has British Cycling qualified and accredited coaches (who are DBS checked, have a first aid qualification and are fully insured) and is non-profit making. We are an all ability club with the aim of helping children to become good cyclists, to enjoy cycling and to have some fun on two wheels. It’s a healthy activity for our young riders through which they will learn cycling skills and develop their confidence – whether done for leisure, pleasure or as a competitive sport.
We have email newsletters, along with this website, in order to contact our members.
We have four sections: the Balance Bikes branch, for children yet to learn to ride a pedal bike, the Mini branch for children aged 5 to 7, the Junior branch for children aged 7 to 11 and the Youth branch, aimed at secondary school age children, aged 11 to 17. In all branches we make sure that all coaching activities are appropriate for the age and skill level of all the children taking part, to make sure that we develop skills and confidence gradually.
There is the possibility of cancelling sessions at short notice due to adverse weather, which would be notified through email newsletters. We may also change certain coaching sessions, due to other planned activities.
We are closely associated with Bigfoot CC – a cycle club for adults.
On this page you can find out more about the club's branches, and at the end of this section is information about how to join.
Balance Bikes branch
Launched in 2021, our Balance Bikes branch teaches riders how to ride a bike without stabilisers. Aimed mainly at younger riders, but open to all ages, the sessions are based on the British Cycling Ready Set Ride approach. These hour-long Sessions are held at 9am on Saturdays in term time at Hayes Primary School, and are a perfect way to build the skills and confidence to progress to our Mini sessions. Due to the age of the children, and the need to help with getting your child to ride without stabilisers, parents are required to stay and help for the duration of the Balance Bikes session.
Your child will need a bike - either a balance bike, or a “normal” bike with the pedals (and stabilisers!) removed. We can help with this if required.
Your child can attend the balance bike sessions for as long as they need, and once they’re comfortable riding without stabilisers they will be ready to progress onto our Bigfoot Mini sessions (or Bigfoot Junior sessions if they’re slightly older).
You can find out more about the British Cycling Ready Set Ride approach here.
Mini branch
The Mini branch, established in 2015. It is aimed at 5 to 7 year olds who are able to ride a bike without stabilisers. Each week our one hour session introduces young riders to the Go-Ride Gears programme, and gets them ready for joining the Junior section when they are seven. This session is held from 10am to 11am on Saturdays in term time at Hayes Primary School. In addition we now run "Mini Plus" sessions from 11am to 12noon for our more advanced young riders, as a pathway to the Junior branch. Due to the age of the children, parents are required to stay and help for the duration of the Mini session.
Junior branch
The Junior branch is aimed at children aged 7 to 11. The main focus of the club's activity on Saturdays in term time from 10am to 12noon is our coaching sessions, held at Hayes Primary School.
A typical Saturday session could involve a bike safety check and warm up session, followed by Go-Ride coaching activities, designed to progressively develop riders' abilities and bike handling skills, improve fitness and introduce different types of cycling activities. It could include skills circuits, fun challenges and mini-races.
Throughout the year we also arrange a number of activities away from home, such as on road and off road rides, track riding at Herne Hill velodrome and the Olympic stadium, mountain biking at Bedgebury, use of the road racing circuit at Kent Cyclopark, and BMX tracks. Club members can also take part in the South London Go-Ride Racing League and many other local youth racing opportunities.
Youth branch
Our Youth branch is open to secondary school boys and girls, aged 11 to 17, our activities include:
coaching sessions
group rides, both on and off road, local and further afield
a calendar of cycle racing opportunities
outings to velodromes, BMX tracks, MTB trails, spin bike sessions, cycle shows and racing events
social events
the club can also help with aspects of your Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme.
The club holds regular term-time sessions on Monday evenings (6.30pm to 8.30pm at Croydon Sports Arena) and Thursday evenings (6.30pm to 8.30pm at Hayes Primary School or on local trails), with other activities organised at weekends.
MONDAYS at Croydon Arena – we cycle on a 400m running track this is most suited to road bikes. These sessions will also be open to selected younger riders from the Junior section who are eager for extra training (on an invitation-only basis).
THURSDAYS at Hayes Primary School or on local trails and are most suited to riders with mountain bikes (other sturdy bikes may be suitable). These sessions will also be open to selected younger riders from the Junior section who are eager for extra training (on an invitation-only basis).
Youth section riders are welcome to come along to either or both of these sessions. Younger riders (from the Junior section) must be approved by the Youth section coach leaders before being allowed to join the sessions.
There is possibility that from time to time our Monday sessions may be cancelled at short notice due to priority given to the football club based at Croydon Arena. Please keep an eye on the club email newsletters.
Joining us
Our membership capacity is limited by the number of coaches and helpers we have, and by the space available at our venues. All branches of the club usually run close to maximum capacity and so we may operate a waiting list. Complete our membership enquiry form to register your interest in joining.
Our club structure
Our club is registered as ‘Bigfoot Youth Cycle Club Ltd’, a company limited by guarantee, run by volunteers and non-profit making.
British Cycling and Go-Ride
British Cycling is the National Governing Body for cycling in Great Britain, whose aim is to inspire participation in cycling as a sport, recreation and sustainable transport through achieving worldwide success.
Go-Ride is British Cycling’s Club Development Programme aimed at improving both young riders and clubs. It focuses on volunteers and young members – improving coaching standards and increasing the number of young riders with access to coaching activities.
For more information about British Cycling and Go-Ride, visit http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/go-ride.