More than 300 cyclists are expected to take part in the Annual Daffodil Bike Ride next month which will see riders embark on a 43-mile loop through hilly Carmarthenshire.
In its 11th year, the annual cycle challenge is again being organised by students from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. The organisation of the event is an opportunity for students to gain valuable skills in their chosen field. Logos for the event are being designed by Graphic Design students and photography and videos from the day will be captured by Adventure Film Photography students. Training plans ahead of the race will be prepared by Exercise Physiology and Personal Training students and Sports Therapy students will also be on hand with maintenance and injury advice. One of the main organisers is Menna Jones who is currently in her third year studying BSc Outdoor Fitness. She said:
“Hundreds of athletes are relying on us to run this event and bring everything together in a safe and healthy environment. We hope to see this year’s event raise a record amount for this year’s chosen charity. Amser Justin Time is an excellent cause and we’re very pleased to be able to give our support through the Daffodil Bike Ride. I haven’t had an opportunity to organise an event like this before so it’s really rewarding. Learning about the risk assessment has been really interesting and it’s given me an insight to the different areas you can steer your career towards.
The starting point of the race has changed this year – it is now at Llanmiloe Community Association Hall. The committee has been so kind in letting us use their facilities which include an indoor registration room, indoor toilets, a room for post-ride massage therapy, a kitchen for hot drinks and cawl, plenty of parking spaces and an outdoor seating area. Children can come down and use the play area nearby or even venture into Pendine itself for a play on the beach while the cyclists tackle the route. Come and ride, support, spectate and celebrate with us whilst supporting a fantastic cause.”
As in previous years, all proceeds from the Ride are being donated to a local charity. This year’s chosen charity is ‘Amser Justin Time’ (http://www.amserjustintime.org/ ) which strives to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer here in Wales. The charity was set up by singer and broadcaster, Shân Cothi, in memory of her late husband. This year the ride will take place over St David’s day weekend and will have a distinctly Welsh feel with Côr Bois y Felin, conducted by Shân Cothi, singing ‘Hen Wald fy Nhadau’ as the riders set off.
Geraint Forster, Programme Director for BSc Sport and Exercise Science said:
“Local events like the Daffodil Ride are an excellent way of putting in to practice many of the skills developed throughout the course of a degree course. On the Outdoor Fitness pathway of the BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree that Menna is studying, students develop their knowledge and skills in many areas such as route planning, risk assessing and emergency scenarios, as well as the more obvious cycling-related aspects such as training and nutrition. Ensuring that our third-year modules give students the opportunities to put these skills into practice in a real-life situation gives them the best opportunity of gaining meaningful employment after graduation”
The founder of the Daffodil Ride, Andy Edwards, who is local to Pendine, set up the event 10 years ago with the aim of breathing life into the village during an otherwise quiet season. Having now moved from Pendine to Carmarthen, Andy was determined that the Daffodil Ride would continue and offered the organising responsibilities to UWTSD students. The race is being held on March 3 and will start at 11 am.
