Grass-Track Cycling In Apeguso

Vida cycling program (VICYPRO) in conjunction with Village Biking Program and Learn2Ride has organized a Grass-Track Cycling race in Apeguso, in the Eastern Region. The One Day Workshop and Learn to Ride program was aimed at promoting female riders in the country and grass track cycling. The workshop brought together 60 female cyclists across the country to learn and compete in various races. Grass Track cycling is preferably fitting to entry level racing.

The event can be organized on any flat field with unused football pitches being a perfect area to set up a track. The track itself can be marked out accurately, enabling times to be compared over a series of laps or more simply by laying out a rough oval of markers with a start/finish line. Races are short, enabling riders to experience a number of different races at any single event.

There are a large number of event possibilities in Grass Track racing; The Scratch Race, Individual One Lap Time Trial, Devil' Takes the Hindmost Points Race and the Team Pursuit. The Director of Vida cycling program (VICYPRO), Vida Vivie expressed reservations on how female cycling in Ghana is not recognized. She said female cycling has an important role in contributing to the health and well being of female riders. She articulated concerns how parent and guardian's misconceptions about female cycling have affected females in exposing their hidden talents.

She, however, urged government and other NGO'S to come help develop the sports in the country to increase the number of female riders. “It is a good sport, government and other Ngo's must help develop it”.

In the main event, 21 registered female cyclists competed in a first-past-the-post lap around the local school's playing field covering 1.5kms in distance. Rachel Toka of Asikuma emerged winner with a time lap of 9m.46s.44ms to take home a bicycle, certificate of participation and a cash prize, defending champion Vivian Huandi made a time of 9m.47s.06ms in 2nd position with Celestine Xevi coming 3rd with 9m.47s.72ms all taking home a bicycle each with a certificate of participation. Dave Peckham Director of village biking program expressed his commitment and support towards the event.

He further stated his commitment to developing grass cycling in Ghana. “Yes we are happy to be here and help develop the game, we as an entity (VBP) will continue to help develop it” he said. Mr Peckham also handed out prizes of pumps and reflectors to all participants and winners whiles Kathryn Wykes, Learn2Ride Volunteer Coordinator also grease the occasion by organizing a crowd of cheerleaders. The grass track cycling program has become an annual affair and respective winners will tour the country in a sponsorship package from the program.

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