Cycling is a fascinating sport that requires good physical condition, balance, endurance and tactics. Special Olympics include time trial and road race events in different distances. Every athlete riding his/ hers bike aims at travelling at the best possible time and arrive at the finish line first.
The sport of cycling is an exciting one that tones the muscles of participants while strengthening their cardiovascular systems.
Cycling is an enjoyable recreational activity as well, offering relaxation and fun and providing an inexpensive form of transportation to those who choose to pursue it. Special Olympics Cycling offers all of these things to athletes who become involved in the sport.
Athletes are the very heart of the Special Olympics movement. Athletes who participate in Special Olympics have the opportunity, not only to develop their physical fitness; they build social skills, leadership skills, self-esteem, and become competitive athletes. Participants learn life lessons while having fun, ones that carry over into their daily lives apart from the playing field. They become more productive and accepted members of society.
Special Olympics is based upon the belief that people with intellectual disabilities, through sports, training and competition, benefit socially, physically, spiritually, and mentally. The organization believes families are strengthened and communities are united through understanding people with intellectual disabilities in an environment of respect, equality, and acceptance. The process of participation and observation works to bring people with disabilities, families and communities together. Where cycling is concerned, there are a number of official events available through Special Olympics, ones that are appropriate to each individual athlete’s skills and interests.
The Rules
Special Olympics cycling competitions are offered for athletes of all ability levels, who are placed in appropriate divisions based upon their time of entry or preliminary events. Preliminary races are conducted to determine an athlete’s riding abilities; the athlete is then placed in an appropriate division. A time trial is something that consists of an athlete racing against the clock. The use of modified cycles is permitted only in time trial events, and the Race or Event Director will decide of modified cycles and two-wheel cycles will compete together. The decision is usually based upon the course conditions, the number of athletes, as well as the ability levels of the athletes.
Road races consist of mass-start events. Where races on multi-lap courses are concerned, everyone finishes on the same lap as the leader and is given a prorated time, unless the referee decides there is too great a differential in the speed between the athletes on the course. Should this happen, the referee consults with the Event Director, as well as the Rules Committee, regarding the action to be taken. No times are recorded for Road Race Finals, and awards are based on placing only.
Head coaches and delegation members are not permitted to follow the competition in a vehicle or on a cycle unless they have been specifically invited to do so by the chief referee, although coaches can coach from the sidelines. The race is started with either a whistle or a starting gun, and the finish is determined by order of crossing of the finish line. If the course id greater than two-and-a-half kilometers in length, more than a single division can ride on the course at one time; they can start at between one and three-minute intervals. An athlete is considered to have finished the race when their front tire has crossed the finish line.
The Info
Host: Bikeworks / Special Olympics Greater London
Venue: Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Lee Valley Leisure Complex 61 Meridien Way, Edmonton, London N9 0AR
Start –End time: 11 am to 5pm.
For more information please contact:
Nicki Day
Tel: 0208 980 7998
Email: nicki.day@bikeworks.org.uk