Saddle up for some fun races

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28: Parents can kick-start the new year for their children by bringing them to the Arboretum on Saturday, January 5 for the Tokio Millennium Youth Mountain Bike Race.

It’s a free series sponsored by Tokio Millennium Re and Bicycle Works, and sanctioned by the Bermuda Bicycle Association.

And its aim is to introduce primary school aged children to cycling as a way to help promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles. 

So while many parents hit the gym as part of a new year’s resolution, they can help their children get involved by taking part in this series of fun races.

The emphasis of the event is on having a good time rather than being competitive and to help foster a love for cycling in children.

The event gives even the youngest child a chance to gain confidence in riding a bicycle and to practise basic principles of strength, coordination and motor development. 

The ‘races’ are divided into categories so children can participate with kids their own age.

Children are free to use any kind of bicycle (even those with training wheels or without pedals), but they must bring their own helmet and have their parent/guardian sign a waiver in order to participate.

This is a fun family event that everyone can enjoy as they cheer on children on the Arboretum course.

Each week there are draw prizes and every child who participates will receive a goodie bag upon registering for the first time. Registration is easy and can be done on the day. 

This will be the fourth in a seven-race series and at the end of the series one child’s name will be drawn as the grand prize winner to take home a bicycle from Bicycle Works.

The remaining schedule is: 

• January 5, 4pm — Arboretum.
• January 13, 2pm – Ferry Reach.
• January 19, 4pm – Arboretum.
• January 26 – 4pm —  Arboretum.

For more information on the event, visit www.tokiomillennium.com or visit the Facebook page at “Tokio Youth”.