The Storey Arms is Cardiff's outdoor education centre. We offer activities and courses to people living in Cardiff and to visitors from the UK and abroad.
Most of our programmes are for young people from 9 to 18 years old. We also work with teachers and those working in higher education so that they can gain qualifications and develop skills to deliver outdoor activities.
Cycling
Cycling
What is it?
Cycling is the practice of riding bicycles - although it originated as a practical means of transport, it is now one of the most popular recreational sports in the world, with over one billion bicycles present in the world today. Cycling can also refer to the riding of unicycles, tricycles and quadracycles, but those are much less common.
What does it involve?
The physical technique to cycling involves sitting astride the bicycle to operate the pedals, which in turn rotate the wheels and provide the forward movement of the vehicle, while the handlebars give the cyclist control over direction. While the basic form of the bike stays the same, sports bikes are often more lightweight and are designed to be as streamlined as possible, while mountain bikes have different gears the rider can switch between to assist with movement on steep slopes.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Cycling is a great form of exercise - it builds up general stamina and strength, and is greatly beneficial for the cardiovascular system. It's widely considered to be an excellent form of transport over short distances, and learning to cycle can save a lot of money on other means of getting around.
What equipment do we need?
Beyond the obvious need for a bicycle, you will need safety equipment that should include a helmet at the minimum. If you are taking a group of students to a specific activity provider then it's likely that they will provide a majority if not all of the needed equipment - make sure to check with them beforehand.
Who is it suitable for?
Cycling is suitable for all ages! Very young/inexperienced cyclists can have stabilizers attached to their bikes to assist with learning, but everybody should have a go - the overwhelming popularity of the bicycle means its almost guaranteed one will have an opportunity to ride one in their life, so to learn the skill young would be a great idea.
Costs?
The hire of cycling equipment may not be the cheapest, but the lessons themselves shouldn't cost too much money at all - the larger a group, the cheaper it will be per person.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Beginner cyclists will need careful supervision, especially if practicing near roads!
How do we include?
There is a fair amount of independent movement in cycling, so those with severe physical disabilities may not be able to have a go on the traditional bike; check with your provider to see if they have modified bikes that you can use!
Doing it abroad?
Cycling is often one of the main methods of transport in many countries around the world due to the low operating costs and easy operation! Going on cycling trails abroad could be a fantastic idea, and a great way of travelling between places and admiring the landscape.
Main Organisations:
National Cycle network run by Sustrans
More Dirt (Mountain Bike trails listings)
Venues with this Activity
The Adur Outdoor Activities Centre (AOAC) offers a wide range of outdoor activities, opportunities and experiences to individuals, schools, colleges, youth groups and other organisations. With an indoor climbing and bouldering wall, through to our activities on the water with kayaks and canoes to mountain biking across the South Downs the AOAC has something to offer all ages and abilities.
Our tailored development programmes can be residential or non residential. Overnight options include our shepherd huts, camping (either near the centre or deep in the woods) or building and sleeping in a bivi. Each programme is always designed around the needs of the group but most overnights will involve a campfire at some stage.
We are a charity which offers free, confidential support and information to young people.
We have projects which can help with things such as housing and homelessness, relationships and sexual health and mental health.
Dartmoor offers a vast and unspolit landscape, ideal for a wide range of activities that can challenge and inspire children and adults.
Glorious beach with dramatic sand dunes, surrounded by sweeping coastal pinewoods
Red squirrels, natterjacks, prehistoric footprints and miles of coastal walks are just waiting to be discovered - part of Formby's amazing and ever changing landscape.
Enjoy breathtaking sea views or a picnic; head out on a bracing coastal walk or find out about Formby's fascinating coastal history with links to asparagus growing and the early days of aviation.
We can provide activities such as canoeing/kayaking, mountain biking, sailing, winkling, fishing, rock climbing, weasling (crawling through large boulders), tennis, archery, dancing etc. We also do residentials with young people who our IYSS teams work with.
A Palladian Palace in the Norfolk countryside
Surrounded by 3,000 acres of rolling parkland, Holkham Hall is one the finest examples of Palladian architecture in England.
Peaceful and attractive riverside park with lots of green space for informal play plus equipped play areas for toddlers and juniors, zip slide and BMX track.
Thornbridge Outdoors is run by a dedicated team of staff with many years experience and great enthusiasm for the benefits and wonders of the outdoors! Our approach is to find out what you need, understand your objectives and then apply our knowledge and experience to meet your expectations.
The 1000-acres of Park and Forest at Moors Valley have something for everyone.
Outdoor Activity site offering wide range of childrens adventurous activities. Junior Quad Bike Treks through 175 acre woodland, Paintball (aged 8+), High Rope Tree Trekking, Super Swing, Climbing, Target Shooting, Low Rope Challenge Course, Raft Building. Holiday Activity Days, Children's Birthday parties.
Prince's Trust centres currently offer the Fairbridge programme, which is an individually tailored personal development programme combining one-to-one support and group activities.
Originally Fairbridge North Manchester, we became part of The Prince's Trust in 2011.
Quad biking fun for all the family, quad parties, family sessions, quad ramble adventures and inflatable quad track hire. Bike sizes to suit from 6 years and up.
We have a selection of bike sizes from 50cc for the little ones with remote cut outs and lanyards, to 100cc for the bigger kids. We also offer 150cc and 300cc machines which are available in the family sessions.
Radical Services provide fun, educational and stimulating care to young people, in small family style homes. We help them to reach their full potential, with a team of well trained staff, who care and believe that the young person’s voice should be central to the way they work.
Ulley provides students the opportunity to develop new skills in a Safe and Fun environment. Students are encouraged to grow and progress in a time and space that suits their needs, with Learning and Progress at the heart of all the programmes.
Strive adventure has been operating in East Lothian for over ten years our instructors and youth workers have a vast array of skills and experience.
Our programmes are designed to build confidence, self-awareness, leadership and team work skills. These are delivered through training sessions that are designed in consultation with individuals and groups.
Our primary focus is to offer a wide range of opportunities in the outdoors to young people and adults (primarily for the 13 to 19 year olds but some are good for as young as 8) across the area through a series of development courses and through our club membership.
The Ultimate Activity Company provides adventure activities at over 54 locations across the UK. We have a fantastic reputation within the leisure industry and provide adventure activities to schools wanting affordable activity programs.
Enjoy a huge range of activities customised for juniors including Quad Biking (minimum age 6) and Mountain Boarding (from 8), Clay Pigeon Shooting (from 10), Pellet Sniper Range (from 8) and Archery (from 10)!
Tirabad Outdoor Educational Centre is located in the village of Tirabad near Llangammarch Wells in the stunning mid-Wales countryside, just north of the Eppynt Moor and Sennybridge on the A40.
4 acres of scenic road and off road riding trails with fantastic range of cycles available for hire and a reassuring breakdown rescue service offered too!
The trails range in difficulty to suit everyone from beginners to experts.
More than 70 acres of beautiful gardens and open space
Beacon Park is set in more than 70 acres of beautiful gardens and open space.
Museum Gardens is the formal part of the park. With its stunning floral displays and avenue of trees, along with the centrepiece fountain, statues of Captain Smith of the Titanic, King Edward VII, and Erasmus Darwin, it is a must-see on your visit.
Once the grandest and most striking house on the Isle of Wight, Appuldurcombe's 18th century baroque elegance is still notable today in the partly restored shell of the building. Admire the delightful east front and stroll peacefully through 'Capability' Brown's idyllic ornamental 11 acres of grounds. Treat yourself in our well stocked and attractive souvenir shop.
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Featured Provider
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
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