Carlisle Cycling Association will be running activities as part of the forthcoming Solway Coast Cycling Festival.
It is being organised by Allerdale Borough Council in Silloth on Saturday July 23.
The association is appealing to local businesses to support the event by sponsoring the activities.
As well as a children’s skills area which will be supervised by British Cycling trained coaches throughout the day, CCA is also running a grasstrack racing event on The Green.
Grasstrack is a traditional form of bike racing which remains very popular at Scottish Highland Games and in the East of England, but has declined in recent years elsewhere.
It was a common sight at fairs and sports days in Cumbria in the past but now only Ambleside Sports and Egremont Crab Fair maintain the tradition.
Racing takes place on a grass oval using track bikes similar to those seen on a velodrome, but with off road tyres.
The bikes have no brakes and a single fixed gear – so that riders can’t freewheel – and a significant amount of skill is required with the racing fast and exciting.
Several famous cyclists including recent Olympian Katie Archibald and Victoria Pendleton started their careers on grass, and last year’s festival attracted current and past national champions as well as youngsters from local cycling clubs just starting out.
The main races require experience and specialist equipment so are not suitable for beginners, but CCA is keen to encourage young people to have a try at racing too.
Alongside the main races there will therefore be an opportunity for children of any age to race on their normal bikes.
These informal races proved very popular last year with a large number of children from three years old and upwards taking part.
The association’s coaches and volunteers will be giving their time and skills for free but there are still significant expenses involved in running the activities.
The organisers are seeking donations to cover prizes and the costs of the children’s activities.
The association is hoping that this event will draw cyclists from other parts of the country to the area, introduce new people to cycling and help preserve the traditions of grasstrack racing.
Association secretary Fiona Graham said: “We’d really like to be able to offer the children’s activities for free and to be able to award prizes both to the winners and to every youngster who participates.
“Unfortunately we won’t be able to do that without additional financial support. We understand that times are tough for everyone at the moment so any donations, however small, would be gratefully received.
“Last year’s event was fantastic with a lot of local children joining in, as well as visitors. We’d like to build on that and make this year even better.”
Anyone seeking more information or wishing to make a donation can contact the association on [email protected]
