Ian Eccles - Glossop Kinder Velo Cycling Club

Ian Eccles has been a keen cyclist for 35 years and is currently a volunteer coach at Glossop Kinder Velo Cycling Club, where he is able to pass on some of his experience to younger members.

For the past two years he has coached members of the Go Ride (youth) squad, working with other volunteer coaches to teach around 20 young people every week.

He has also been instrumental in securing a recent Awards for All grant, working on the bid in his spare time, and as a result more young people will now have access to cycling and competition as it has allowed the club to buy new bikes, helmets and tools.

Ian said: "The money gives kids who haven't got bikes the opportunity to come down and have a try. We have also ordered some Cyclo-Cross, off-road race bikes, as we are hoping to start inter-club competitions, and this means the kids won't have to use their own bikes but will be able to use the club bikes and their own bikes won't get wrecked."

Ian first joined the Glossop club as a member in 2003, before deciding to work towards his Level Two Cycle Coaching badge and help coach the Go Ride sessions on Saturday mornings.

He said: "We provide a safe, traffic-free environment for under-16s to practice their bike handling skills.

"By being a volunteer coach I know I am doing something worthwhile and it allows me to pass on some of my years of knowledge.

"If I can teach a young boy or girl to be a safer rider with better skills then that is something really worthwhile."

The former psychiatric nurse is also now hoping to turn his hobby into a new career, and has just completed a foundation degree in cycle coaching as well as gaining a Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Track Cycling.

He also does some paid work as a coach at the Manchester Velodrome, where he coaches riders from the complete track novice to veteran track cyclists.

http://www.glossopkindervelo.co.uk/ (opens in a new window)

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