Cycling Co-curricular Activity
On Thursday 13th January 2022, we had the pleasure of witnessing the start of the all-new Cycling Co-Curricular Activity at Dulwich International High School Suzhou. While this is not the first time our school has offered a cycling CCA, this term, all the equipment has been refreshed with ten brand new bikes and all the associated safety equipment that all cyclists need.
The Cycling CCA is part of the incredibly diverse range of CCAs that we offer to all our students. The CCA is jointly led by Luke Webb (English Teacher and House System Coordinator) & Murdoch Mackay (Head of Biology). The aim of the cycling CCA is to allow students to learn how to manage and care for their bikes, enjoy long rides with the group and learn essential road rules for safety and prolonged fitness.
At the start of the CCA, all the participants put on the proper protective gear, donning a correctly fitted and properly adjusted helmet and a high visibility vest. Phones are securely stored in the frame-mounted mobile phone pouch, allowing GPS tracking apps to be used safely while moving.
Cycling, in addition to being fun, is a terrific way to keep fit and healthy and is increasingly being seen as a minimal impact way of keeping fit. The health benefits of cycling are many. They include the following:
- Improved General fitness
- Improved cardiovascular fitness
- Improved lung capacity
- Improved muscle strength
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved cholesterol levels
- Improved mental health
- Improved self-image
Cycling is a wonderful way of keeping fit and healthy without the tedium of having to go to the gym or running for miles on a treadmill. Cycling also has a positive impact on mental health. When out on a bike ride, it is difficult to feel anxious or stressed. Cycling is a fantastic way to get from A to B and is also a great way of exploring a city. You get to see the city from a different viewpoint and see parts of it that you may never have seen in a car.
One of the overlooked benefits of cycling is the positive impact it has on the environment. Cycling has a tiny carbon footprint compared to nearly every other form of transport. As cycling grows in popularity, more green spaces and cycle routes are created. This generates a virtuous circle of more green spaces and cycling routes encouraging more people to cycle, leading to more green spaces.
"I played team sports when I was younger but due to various injuries, I had to stop playing. I came to cycling later, although I had a bike when I was younger, I never really rode longer distances. Some people see cycling as an individual sport but I really see it as a team sport with opportunities to meet new people and socialise but also with elements of competition, you always want to beat your friends over the next bridge! It is great seeing the students’ confidence growing on the bike even after one session.
The recent cold weather has meant some students are reluctant to go out in the cold but it helps the students build resilience and reminds them of the importance of preparation – bring warm clothes and do not forget your gloves! Luckily, the weather will get warmer soon and the students will enjoy riding even more."
